21HP V-Twin Head Gasket Repair

[GasGuzler]

I just picked up a Craftsman LT1000 with a 21HP Briggs V-Twin, model number 407577-0283-E1. I believe it needs new head gaskets, I have ordered the gasket kits but I was just wondering if I need to order new head bolts too? In the past I have ran into issues reusing head bolts and them snapping in the block while torquing them down. I was also wondering what the torque specs are for the head bolts, and how many stages I should torque them down and how many foot pounds for each stage. I’m 18 and fairly new to this, so any help would be appreciated.

 

[Craftsman Garage]

So, I have reused head bolts many times and never had any lssues. I also didn't torque them down and didn't have issues lol. I would pull out a bolt or two and if they're really Rusty or corroded, etc, then replace them. Otherwise, I wouldn't replace them. BTW, Welcome to the forum!

 

[GasGuzler]

So, I have reused head bolts many times and never had any lssues. I also didn't torque them down and didn't have issues lol. I would pull out a bolt or two and if they're really Rusty or corroded, etc, then replace them. Otherwise, I wouldn't replace them. BTW, Welcome to the forum!

Oh alright, I’m used to rebuilding truck engines and torquing everything down in stages and in a pattern. Guess I will tighten them down what I think is enough and hope for the best.

 

[Craftsman Garage]

Would you happen to be GasGuzler on YouTube?

 

[GasGuzler]

Would you happen to be GasGuzler on YouTube?

Lol yeah that’s me

 

[Craftsman Garage]

That's awesome dude. Let me start by saying I enjoy watching your videos. I bought my 72 F100 at 13 years old after watching your video about your 76 back in 2022. Last year, I wanted an OBS so bad after seeing lots of Videos come up about them. I got a 92 f150 std cab shortbed 4x4 manual last August. Its not an inline 6 tho, its a 5.0. With the help of this forum, I fixed some riding mowers and bought those trucks. Long story short, love the content so Keep doing what you're doing brother!

 

[GasGuzler]

Hell yeah man! I honestly never expect anyone to recognize me let alone on a lawn mower forum haha, but that’s awesome that you’ve got some trucks of your own! A buddy of mine convinced me to buy a cheap LT1000 off of marketplace, and I don’t know how but somehow I’ve become addicted to them and now I currently have 4 sitting in my garage, it’s becoming an issue lol. So chances are this won’t be the last post I make on this site, that’s for sure. Plan on turning this 21HP twin into a race mower just for fun, might even make a video series on it. Not sure how the community will enjoy mower videos instead of truck videos but we’ll see.

 

[Craftsman Garage]

I know exactly how that is lol. I've got a channel with truck content and riding mower content, I think the link is in the about section of my profile. I would watch lawn mower content on your channel. Btw, if you make a racing mower, don't use hydrostatic-automatic transmissions. Only manuals can go fast because automatics have rev limiters and they're really weak.

 

[GasGuzler]

I figured as much, unfortunately my V-Twin is a factory Hydro-Static. I was planning on swapping the 6 speed out of my other mower into it, but how would I go about bypassing the rev limiter?

 

[Craftsman Garage]

Manuals Don't have rev limiters. Post your mower's model no. It should start with 917.Xxxxx