New to me 102
 

:beer2:After finding that my 125 was a little to far gone I started to look around for a new one and this one came up, SN 152550. The motor starts and runs very well but it white smokes on start up along with throttle ups, so lets hope its a head gasket... So far the 102 front end was warn slap out . I have swapped the 125 front end on the 102 and its steers like a dream very tight. Oil change and a little timing and carb work. I will start the head gasket this weekend. I am hoping to replace the head bolts with the grade 8 bolts . Has anyone done this task?

This machine look a little familiar. :bigthink:

Nice looking 102:beerchug:
Why would you want to go to a grade 8 bolt? Asking for trouble I think:bigthink:
Make sure when you remove the head to clean all the carbon deposits out and true up the head before replacing it with the new gasket. The head gasket is only as good as the preparation.
A piece of glass and sand paper. I use 180 grit then up to 220 until there isn't any dipping, so the whole contact surface is smooth and level.

If you haven't already planned on it, it never hurts to clean the threads up in the block with a tap. Should you encounter any rust (especially if your new bolts are ANY longer) the bolt may start to bind up and give you a false torque.

Congrats on the nice looking 102!:beerchug:

Nice looking 102.:beerchug:

Congrats on the 102. I have a nearly brand new 102. Well it looks like it at least. It isn't quite done yet but the restore has made it look really good. It was my go to tractor for many years mowing, snow blowing, and wood hauling. That old girl must be part timex because it took a licking and kept on ticking. I also have my dad's 102 which we still put through its paces.

Why would using a grade 8 bolt be asking for trouble?

Grade 8 bolts will break instead of giving a little when the engine heats and cools is what I have heard. Grade 5 bolts would be much better for head bolts and more than suffice for these small engines if a good head gasket is used. In my experience with grade 8 bolts, I found out by accident on my 460 farmall pulling a tree down. I have chain hooks on the front that I used two grade 8 bolts on and grade 5 bolts on the other hook not thinking about it, it's just what I had. The grade 8 side hook flew off and could have killed one of us. They did not bend, just broke clean off...

Good score on your 102!