What is ok to use on my K-301 aluminum head and gasket to clean off the carbon? - Page 2

three4rd · #11 09-06-2017, 11:13 PM

I'm sure that cleaning / adjusting the valves is a great idea...and undoubtedly should be done...but we're going to take our chances here. IF it still does not run well and winds up going down to my brother's service station, then, yeah, that would be something I'd have him do. To tell you the truth, I looked at those valves and thought that it would be great to do something with those as well as the general cleaning I did, but I have no idea where to begin. Don't bother going into an explanation, cause I just don't have too much more time to devote to this. I'm putting so many other things on hold that need attention. If it was not something "a bit involved"...I'd be tempted to take it on. "A bit involved", for me, probably equates to "a lot of work"!! I must say, though, I think I did a pretty decent job of the head cleaning. Great learning experience.

I will say that, according to a 2013 invoice from a local repair service I used when the tractor also wasn't starting well, they did do valve work along with having the head off - and also replaced a valve and a gasket (presumably the head) - so that's only 4 years ago. We'll see how things go....

zippy1 · #12 09-06-2017, 11:51 PM

Did you get the carbon cleaned out Keith, before or after truing the head?
So now if I understand your post, the head gasket area is all equally "scratched" from the sanding procedure? No areas dull, the whole surface area is clean?

three4rd · #13 09-07-2017, 12:54 AM

Yes....carbon was all cleaned out prior to doing the sanding. To the best of my ability and judgment, the whole head gasket is now sanded smooth. My brother and I noticed that there was an imprinting of the gasket on the head, which almost gave the appearance of there being two gaskets at first. Following the sanding, there is still some of that pattern visible, but I didn't think it necessary to sand additionally being that the remaining imprinted pattern was no longer raised...you couldn't feel it anymore...sanded smooth...so the fact that you can still see vestiges of it I deem to be negligible. I also cleaned up the gasket and am reusing it. My gasket is metal. The IH dealer said you can't even get those anymore (at least not new). Gasket looks fine to reuse. The only problem I ran into is that I wound up snapping the bolt that holds a small piece of shroud against the head. It's the bolt on the left side of the tractor (near the generator). I tried to get the broken piece out of the hole but couldn't. So the broken piece is in the head. My brother told me about these left hand drill bits that can be used with a reversible drill to extract broken pieces, but I don't have anything like that. We both think it should be ok to just leave it in there. I considered taking a small drill bit and trying to go right into the center of the broken bolt but, with my luck, I might have veered off and somehow wound up damaging the head. Not worth taking the chance. The shroud will still be held on firmly with the bolt on the other side. I don't think the left side will rattle without the missing bolt. Really, I just want to get this DONE and move on to other stuff. My yard will be a good test for the mower - grass has really shot up quick with the rain we've had every day.

Dart1917 · #14 09-07-2017, 01:18 AM

You should always use a new gasket. They crush when torqued down and once crushed won't seal properly if reused. All Kohler head gaskets are metal faced the only thing to watch for is if it has a fire ring (a band of metal crimped around the inner edge of the gasket). Cheap gaskets don't have it and I've heard they are quick to blow. Never used one myself. If your old gasket leaks, it could make short work of your nice flattening job on the head.

J-Mech · #15 09-07-2017, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dart1917

You should always use a new gasket. They crush when torqued down and once crushed won't seal properly if reused. All Kohler head gaskets are metal faced the only thing to watch for is if it has a fire ring (a band of metal crimped around the inner edge of the gasket). Cheap gaskets don't have it and I've heard they are quick to blow. Never used one myself. If your old gasket leaks, it could make short work of your nice flattening job on the head.

Oh look! Another voice of reason!

You've been told this several times now.

Guess we'll keep

olds45512 · #16 09-07-2017, 08:25 AM

You need to get a new head gasket, the old one can't be reused.

ol'George · #17 09-07-2017, 09:05 AM

I am thrifty and have, in a emergency situation, reused an old head gasket.
and in 50% of those cases, it worked till I could get a new one.
That said,
Since you have resurfaced the head and it is now flat, the old gasket will not conform to it and it will leak.
Also you stated you already re tightened previously, so that just adds to the fact you need a new gasket.
Why you are so stubborn to the advice of helpful people here, I don't understand.
And when you do get a new gasket, and torque it properly, in the correct sequence following the service manual,
Then warm it up through a couple of heat cycles and re torque it again in the proper sequence, that procedure ain't in the book.
But experience has taught us if you don't retorque, it leaks sooner rather than later.
If you don't have a torque wrench, borrow one from a friend or auto parts store.

J-Mech · #18 09-07-2017, 09:42 AM

It's in the manual George. Kohler manual, page 12.16.

three4rd · #19 09-07-2017, 12:26 PM

Yeah...definitely a new gasket is needed. Given that there was a good amount of oil and gunk in the fins on the one side of the engine, that proves there was a leak. I ordered a gasket and will have it tomorrow. Thanks for mentioning it again. Sorry...I descend from a long line of what I guess you'd call "stubborn Dutchmen" LOL Unfortunately I wasted time wire brushing the old gasket to get it real nice and smooth.

Baccarat · #20 09-07-2017, 12:26 PM

Three4rd: Absolutely get a new head gasket. IIRC you mentioned in one of your other threads that you are a musician. If that is correct, think of it this way. If you have a guitar rebuilt or the neck tightened up, would you re-use the old strings that were taken off? Or, would you put new ones on? That is what you are looking at here with a head gasket. You've spent all this time & effort, don't skimp on it over a few dollars for a head gasket.