Valve Adjustment on Universal 5424 - CD33

[Paul D.]

Hello, has anyone done this service to their Universal diesel? I have the original manual which sparsely outlines the process. Two questions, 1. Any good sources to get a Kubota head cover gasket for the old D1105 block? 2. Anyone have Tips for the actual job and specific things to look for whilst in there to assess valve condition? For example, I read to leave the clearance an extra thousandths if in doubt.

Thanks in advance.

[mgphl52]

Hey Paul,
Are you looking for a head gasket or valve cover gasket?
I googled both and found multiple options.

[Frenchy]

Hi Paul - I did this job a few years ago and it was pretty straight forward, following the directions. The only
real hassle was getting the cover off and on. There's just about zero clearance between the cover and
injectors on the starboard side. But after a little struggle, you'll get it off. From there, the rest is easy.
The only other obvious advice is to clean all around the cover well before removing. It's easy to
get dirt in there. Good luck - Jean

[Steve Laume]

Any decent Kabota tractor dealer can get you that valve cover gasket and almost anything else you might need for the engine. Expect the price to be about 1/3 or less of what you would pay a marine supplier, Steve.

[Frenchy]

Chances are you won't need a new valve cover gasket, Paul. The original is thick rubber, well made and sits
on a flange, as I remember. Mine was in excellent condition. - Jean

[Paul D.]

Thanks, just the head 'cover' or rocker cover gasket to access the valves, not the actual head gasket.

I understand to buy from a Kubota dealer - these are great motors to get filters, thermostats etc. for - but wondered if anyone had actual the part number of the "head cover gasket" and maybe a good dealer source that would post one to me. The suppliers on Amazon or internet parts stores look they may have a 'maybe' fit. I need to get up to the boat and get the serial number from the motor to go through a dealer. No worries as this is not a rush.

BTW most of the "Universal" parts suppliers have mostly gasket kits so they seem to be catering to the rebuild crowd.

Frenchy, did you have to do any adjustment of the decompression lever? The manual says whenever the rocker cover is removed or tightened that has to be adjusted. I haven't touched that thing in 18 eighteen years and I bet it wasn't moved before that. Lastly, what actual bolts remove the cover? That ain't clear in the manual and I haven't seen it online, though I bet I could figure it out. With my luck though I would loosen the whole top end.

The old Kubota has not had the valves adjusted in some time. I've changed filters and treated the fuel and winterized carefully. It bleeds air easily after a service and has ran flawlessly for almost two decades for us. I don't want to f' it up!

Quick story: Years ago during a low water year, the old German diesel rebuilder who runs our marina yelled to me when I was straining, pushing through some mud at the slip, (he literally helped me with a line to his backhoe staged on a barge - yes, we have that kind of marina and it is glorious.) "Don't be afraid to use the throttle! You've got a Kubota down there. It was designed to go through dirt!"

[mgphl52]

Lastly, what actual bolts remove the cover? That ain't clear in the manual and I haven't seen it online, though I bet I could figure it out. With my luck though I would loosen the whole top end.

Not to worry about that... you have to remove the valve cover just to get to the studs for the head.

[Frenchy]

To remove the cover, you'll see two tall bolts inboard from the other bolts, centralized. Remove those and the
cover should be free enough to take out. Beware, though - the cover doesn't come off easily, at least mine
didn't. A little more clearance would have helped. You might have to tap it with a plastic hammer here and
there to coax it.
I had also seen the advice to readjust the compression release- but I left it alone and it worked just fine
after the valve adjustment. -Jean