davidfindlay 49 #1 Posted November 14, 2022 Thanks to everyone here’s advice I thought I’d fixed my engine issue. However after using the tractor 3 times since then I noticed the gasket’s blown again and the head doesn’t look like it survived either. I am pretty sure I got the underside of the head level and I torqued the bolts in the proper order to the specified amount. Is there something I might have done wrong, or forgotten to do, that could cause it to fail again so quickly? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,905 #2 Posted November 14, 2022 That’s crummy luck! What method did you use to hone the cylinder head flat? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,307 #3 Posted November 14, 2022 Check the block surface to see if it is flat and, of course, the cylinder head. Check the head bolts to see if they are bottoming out. Check the torque specifications and your torque wrench. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,506 #4 Posted November 14, 2022 (edited) What engine? Is that the way everything looked when you took the head off? To me it looks like you are running too lean. Not much carbon. I would get a new OEM gasket, new head bolts, and re-torque after running until hot, and readjust the carburetor. Edited November 14, 2022 by rmaynard 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,327 #5 Posted November 14, 2022 (edited) Dave - I am surprized to see the failure at the 9 O'clock position, not closer to the exhaust valve, although the spread of the bolt spacing is greater at the failure. And it was a good brand gasket, as it had the crimped fire ring. Two things come to mind - I agree you may have the engine running too lean. Second, not the good news - looks like the top of the block at the failure is eroded and unless resurfaced, will never seal. Same for the head - sanding in a figure 8 motion on 220 grit paper that is on a glass-flat surface will tell if it will either clean up or goes in the recycling pile..... You need to use a true straightedge and feeler gauges to check for a depression in the block..... and re-torque after running until hot, That is an important step, often overlooked. Bill Edited November 14, 2022 by ri702bill 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davidfindlay 49 #6 Posted November 14, 2022 Thanks all. I cleaned the top of the block but didn’t check it was flat. I’ll order a new gasket and try and do a better job of flattening. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davidfindlay 49 #7 Posted November 15, 2022 Oh and I also didn’t retorque once it was hot. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick3478 428 #8 Posted November 15, 2022 Not to put too fine a point on it, but the head gets thinner and weaker and compression gets higher every time you plane it. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
