Head gasket

sgkent

Lawn Addict
Joined
Sep 27, 2017
Threads
32
Messages
1,685
checking the head and block for straightness with a machinists straight edge should be done anytime there is a blown head gasket. If the old one was solid and the head and piston were just decarbonized, then there would not be a need for it, but with a blown head gasket there is often something warped.

 

bertsmobile1

Lawn Royalty
Joined
Nov 29, 2014
Threads
65
Messages
24,995
Go to CopperGasketsUS.
Speak to Lanni ( wonderful bloke )
Get one of his full copper head gaskets
Problem solved
Once fitted make sure you put an in line fuel tap and that you use it
The head gaskets are deliberately weak so that in the case of a hydro lock the gasket blows rather then bending a rod or cracking the head .
Fairly sure he does a stock line of various intek head gaskets .
 

Forest#2

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2022
Threads
0
Messages
457
Bertsmobile1 says:
The head gaskets are deliberately weak

AMEN
 

sgkent

Lawn Addict
Joined
Sep 27, 2017
Threads
32
Messages
1,685
we aren't using ether to start it are we?
 

Ocean909

Active Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2022
Threads
8
Messages
76
Go to CopperGasketsUS.
Speak to Lanni ( wonderful bloke )
Get one of his full copper head gaskets
Problem solved
Once fitted make sure you put an in line fuel tap and that you use it
The head gaskets are deliberately weak so that in the case of a hydro lock the gasket blows rather then bending a rod or cracking the head .
Fairly sure he does a stock line of various intek head gaskets .
Had no idea this existed. His gaskets are only a bit more than current OEM prices. Thanks for this.
 

bertsmobile1

Lawn Royalty
Joined
Nov 29, 2014
Threads
65
Messages
24,995
Told you Lanni was a nice guy
I get a lot of custom gaskets cut by him for antique motorcycles because it is actually cheaper than buying sheet copper & cutting them myself
They usually need to be annealed but some have arrived full soft
The rule of thumb is to roll your thumb nail over an edge pressing down hard
If it leaves a full crescent impression then the gasket is soft enough to use without annealing .
If it solves your problem please come back at the end of the season to let us know
 

melvin1942

Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2015
Threads
7
Messages
22
I have a Husquvarna tractor. 18.5hp. Can anyone tell me why I have gone thru 4 head gaskets? This one being the 4th. Blows out right across from the plug. There is no way I screwed up 3 headgaskets. Getting a little tired of this crap. Are these engines junk? I can change a hot cylinder in a 2500hp EMD but can't keep this running. Should sell everything and buy a diesel....
Remove the head, take a straight edge Across both head and block. Use a feeler gauge and see if you and put it between the straight edge and the head and also between straight efce and block.
 

Curtisun

Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2020
Threads
1
Messages
27
I have a Husquvarna tractor. 18.5hp. Can anyone tell me why I have gone thru 4 head gaskets? This one being the 4th. Blows out right across from the plug. There is no way I screwed up 3 headgaskets. Getting a little tired of this crap. Are these engines junk? I can change a hot cylinder in a 2500hp EMD but can't keep this running. Should sell everything and buy a diesel....
Replace the head bolts is one of the main things. Once a bolt has been torqued it changes the metal and can cause them to lessen the torque when the engine gets hot.
What I do is first take emery cloth and a flat block and emery the head and block clean of all discoloration, then I put on the new head with new bolts. I torque to specifications twice. This gives it max torque on the bolts. Torque bolts in the specified order. If this does not stop it from blowing head gaskets you will have to have the head and block resurfaced.
 
Top