John Deere 466 head bolts

The John Deere 466 Diesel engines have a myriad of different head bolts that were used with different blocks and casting numbers. If your ever faced with needing to change a head gasket or replace the bolts be advised that there is a whole booklet of instructions that go over the various details and block casting numbers. It is imperative that you read and understand these differences when doing 466 head work. If you use the wrong type bolts you can pull the threads out of your block. 

Threads on this topic can be found here.

http://talk.newagtalk.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=56150

http://talk.newagtalk.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=95430

http://talk.newagtalk.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=126747

Anyone who can better format the layout of this wiki please do so.

These quotes are from the first thread above

superfarmer posts :

Be sure to have the head magnafluxed or pressure tested and have it planed in case it cracked. Also make sure all valves have proper protrusion from the head when it's off, should stick out .030-.040". It will cost some money, but it's the only way to be sure you'll get a good seal. Sounds like it got a good shot of ether, ether that or the fuel was a little strong. When the head is off be sure to check that the sleeves protrude from the block .002-.006" (off the top of my head). The new bolts should have instructions for torque sequence and spec, some say to go 120 then 140ft-lb HOT. You should dip the bolts in clean new SAE30wt oil before installing. You will see some oil seep around the head once it runs a bit, but it goes away. Other than that, clean the top of the block as best you can, if the gasket blew between cylinders make sure it didn't leave a mark on the sleeves or block. If he's even thinking of putting sleeves and pistons in the motor, this would be a good time to do it. Any machine shop worth dealing with or your john deere dealer should be able to get you instructions and specs, if not, go somewhere else. As for the valves, the owners manual should have the spec, .018intake and .028 exhaust i think. I really think torquing hot is a good idea, things will flex and seal up better than when they're cold, but you MUST remember to reset the valves AFTER the head is torqued, as they will be tighter than before. I've done 5 in the last 18mos and no leaks yet. Good luck!!

whitmore writes:

I believe that there is an updated head bolt for this engine. The package will have torque instructions so many pounds of torque plus so many degrees such as 120 foot pounds of torque then turn the bolt 180 degrees. Also replace all of the head bolts. As the superfarmer said make sure the block deck and head is CLEAN before before installing the gasket. Use emery cloth to clean all carbon from the block and around the sleeve where the gasket seals. I also use actone on a rag to clean the oil residue to insure a good seal.

ronm writes

An instruction sheet should come with the gasket set if you get it from JD, if not, who knows, but there are several different ways to torque the head bolts, depending on the marks on the bolt heads & the block casting number. I wouldn't advise trying it w/o that sheet and/or the tech manual...the latest bolts are torque-turn, but if you use that method on the wrong block, you'll pull the threads out of the block. Also, the torque-turn bolts can't be re-used, you throw them away & get new ones. It's possible the bolt that broke was a torque-turn that got retorqued...may be a good idea to replace all of them even if they're not T_T. All the above stuff about checking for cracks, liner protrusion, (.001-.004), etc. is good, just don't slap a new gasket on & smoke the old bolts down w/o knowing what you've got....466 head bolts were a real snake pit...

sri writes:

  had same trouble on 4440.  Motor  was put in tractor new in 1995.   They have had nine pages of updates on this motor and gasket,bolts etc. combination. going by the serial number of the engine the dealer should get the right gasket and bolt kit. Can't use newer special bolts in and older engine as others said it will pull the threads.   Deere should be able to get exactly whats needed,the gasket and bolt set we used came with it's own instructions.

  Do have the pages of updates but with the scanner here down can't get them to you. I got them from deere when I was having trouble.  Some one from engineering was able to look up the engine and it's history.  was impressed, found out the guy that sold it was at least telling the truth about it.

This is from the second thread link above 

sri writes:

What you need to get is bulletin number RG14660.

 Installation instructions for cylinder head assembly

6362,6404,6466 or 6076 engines

it will be 11 pages of info on head gaskets and installation according to serial number of engine. tried to take a picture of it but it looks a little fuzzy ,will put it up anyway.  anybody else that has a 466 should get this bulletin to have on hand.  Instructions come with the kit but knowing beforehand whats going on helps a lot.