Head Gasket Help.

[Charlie Smith 142]

Hello All

Recently my poor little raider10 has been suffering abit, I've got a blown head gasket, it's been going strong but it's getting worse, with this colder weather coming I've brought a new head gasket for it, it's being shipped and is on it way, however this is the question where I need you guys,

I have a Raider 10 with the Tecumseh HH100 10HP engine, once I replace the head gasket, is there a torque that the head bolts need tightening too? Or?

Many thanks

[WH nut 553]

What size bolts, if they are 3/8s they are torqued o about 27 ft pound 5/16 about 18

[Martin 2,131]

the manual says to torque them to 220-224 inch pounds. which should be around 18 ft lbs.......

 

heres a manual link...

 

[rick 233]

In addition, you need to torque the bolts in the proper order, and in 50 inch pound steps. 

[Kelly 1,029]

Also when you have the head off make sure it is flat, there are a few ways to do so, sand paper on a known flat surface and sand the head using a circular motion, till it looks flat, I have a 3" wide file I run over the heads in a cross pattern, or set it on a belt sander for a few passes, take it to a machine shop and have them true it up, how ever you do it, if it is flat it will seal better, and hold the gasket longer. 

[Hodge71 664]

Also when you have the head off make sure it is flat, there are a few ways to do so, sand paper on a known flat surface and sand the head using a circular motion, till it looks flat, I have a 3" wide file I run over the heads in a cross pattern, or set it on a belt sander for a few passes, take it to a machine shop and have them true it up, how ever you do it, if it is flat it will seal better, and hold the gasket longer. 

 

Good Info Kelly. I found that out on the one Suburban I bought. It had a bad gasket on the Kohler and when I checked, the head was way out. My Dad and I sanded for quite awhile til it was true. New gasket hasn't had an issue since then.