Installing head gasket on 147.

SDBOB · #1 05-25-2019, 09:30 AM

I got the head off. I see some carbon buildup. I'm cleaning now, threads, bolts. CC factory manual says soak head gasket in water before installing. Never heard of this. Is this practice necessary?

ol'George · #2 05-25-2019, 09:59 AM

Old procedure using Asbestos material, not necessary with new gasket materials.

Now listen up:
Install the head and torque in 3 increments paying attention to the bolt torque sequence in the manual.
(say #10, then #20 ish then final torque.)
Then run the engine bringing it to operating temp ( 15 minutes more/less)
Then go through the torque procedure again.
You will notice they have loosened some.
Run it again and check the torque a third time.
they might only loosen a bit, now job is done.

Now this sounds like excessive work.
So,
you can torque it only one time,
and in a short while, get to replace the newly blown head gasket again
Only this time, correctly.
Have fun.

Oh, while the head is off it is a good idea to chase the head bolt threads in the block with a bottom tap so they are clean.
And flatten the head on a surface plate ( or glass) on a flat surface using wet/dry sandpaper.
( several posts on OCC) and yer-tube )
Now iffin 'yall know all this, sorry for wasting yer time

R Bedell · #3 05-25-2019, 10:13 AM

Quote:

CC factory manual says soak head gasket in water before installing

I have never seen this. Exactly where is this recommendation..??

ol'George · #4 05-25-2019, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R Bedell

I have never seen this. Exactly where is this recommendation..??

I've seen it written before Roland, thinking it was in a Briggs manual.
But prolly in Kohler also, as he posted.
The mind is a wonderful thing, now where did I put it.

cooperino · #5 05-25-2019, 10:26 AM

George gave you the correct method. Only thing I saw missing is, You should let the engine cool before re-torque. If you tighten them hot they will shrink during cooling. Long time ago I saw a snapped head bolt due to this.

SDBOB · #6 05-25-2019, 04:59 PM

I forget where I'm at,oh yeah I remember! Thanks guys for the information. I will follow book,plus retorquing ,let it cool,etc. I'm not well....,I want to do things as best as I can,my father always said,you are only going to do it once'.He was a builder, painter, carpenter. My dad's dad was a steam shovel operator then steam fitter,my other grandfather was a painter did lot of special detail work in older churches and govt buildings that they use wall paper now with the delicate pictures. Again thanks ,Bob