Thoughts on this

[Wvtroutbum81 175]

Engine experts, M12 with 2,201hrs. Oil has always been changed twice a year. Does not smoke or use oil, the head gasket was leaking on exhaust side. This is post cleaning

[Wvtroutbum81 175]

17 minutes ago, Wvtroutbum81 said:

Engine experts, M12 with 2,201hrs. Oil has always been changed twice a year. Does not smoke or use oil, the head gasket was leaking on exhaust side. This is post cleaning

Is there anything i should inspect while apart

[adsm08 1,867]

The mating decks of the block and head should be inspected for any deformation. The correct way to do it is with a machinist's straight edge and some feeler gauges. I usually just pass the straight edge over the surface with a flash light behind it. If I can't see light under the bar I don't bother with the feelers.

 

If the head needs any straightening you can deck it yourself by coloring in the entire surface and sanding it with a piece of sand paper wrapped around a piece of glass. There are others who are more familiar with that process than I am.

[kpinnc 11,615]

It looks clean, but of course impossible to tell if the bore is still within spec. 
 

As  @adsm08 said, it’s a good time to check the head. @ebinmaine has some posts on here doing it the right way. 
 

If the engine still made good power and didn’t smoke, I say true the head and run it. 

Edited 15 hours ago by kpinnc

[leabassett@sbcglobal.net 141]

New head gasket and head bolts. Than let her rip.

[Wvtroutbum81 175]

20 minutes ago, leabassett@sbcglobal.net said:

New head gasket and head bolts. Than let her rip.

Where is a good source for the bolts?

do they have to be replaced

[ebinmaine 66,712]

39 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

true the head and run it.

 

18 minutes ago, leabassett@sbcglobal.net said:

New head gasket and head bolts. Than let her rip.

 

 

Gotta true the head. 

It's almost certainly warped even if only a small amount. 

 

I do NOT install a cylinder head without trueing it. Ever. 

 

We use a piece of known flat steel.  

Tape a piece of sandpaper to the steel. 

 

There should be a thread on here describing the procedure.  

 

 

 

3 minutes ago, Wvtroutbum81 said:

Where is a good source for the bolts?

do they have to be replaced

 

 

If the engine has NEVER been apart the head bolts MIGHT be reusable. 

 

Older K series use normal Grade 8 bolts. 

Not sure about a Magnum. 

[Bill D 1,858]

The Magnum is basically a K series with electronic ignition.  Grade 8 bolts should be fine.

[oliver2-44 9,478]

Now would be a good time to pull the carb so you can clean the breather and adjust the valve clearance. 
If the head checks out to be flat with a feeler gage go with it. But do check it’s

[953 nut 54,513]

Once the head has been installed with the new head gasket and has run long enough to come up to operating temperature allow it to cool down and then re-torque the head bolts using the same sequence.

[WHX?? 48,237]

... all of the above these guys know what they are talking about.

If possible use a head gasket of the fire ring design... I know OEM and Stens have this feature. they generally never fail if head trued and torqued proper. 

[Wvtroutbum81 175]

Thanks, I ordered a new Kohler gasket, Going to adjust valves and replace the breather. Also got copper spray!