Replaced head gasket....next step?

[birddogger]

Any votes for "fine as is"?

Not from me. Too loose and the hot exhaust gases have to squeeze through too small a gap, you end up with gas-erosion. This means burned valves and burned valve seats. Too tight the valves may not close completely and hot gases squeeze through that tiny gap, leading to gas erosion, burned valves, burned valves seats.
Both scenarios mean pulling the head, getting the seats cut (if salvageable) replacing valves. Upon reassembly you will still need to adjust the valves.

Adjusting the valves may be a headache now; adjusting the valves later is a headache + parts.

 

[aquaforce]

Any votes for "fine as is"?

I'll vote better safe than sorry.

I posted on page 2 of the L175 valve adjustment thread and also responded to your last post there. Have you seen them?

 

[meanjean]

I answered my own question as I was typing it.
I will have to check the valves.

Aquaforce
I printed your response on how to and I will take a crack at it tomorrow.

 

[meanjean]

Last question...

Which valve is which starting at the front?

 

[eserv]

Starting from the front (fan end) Intake, exhaust, intake, exhaust.
Ed

 

[meanjean]

Thanks very much.
The tinkering begins.

Hopefully good news to follow.

 

[meanjean]

Done and done.
2 of 4 needed adjusting and it was minimal.
Spins like a top.

Thanks all for the help, I really appreciate it.
This site is great!

 

[eserv]

Great! usually it is minimal, But when the clearance is only .005-.010 in a little is a lot!
Ed

 

[aquaforce]

Last question...

Which valve is which starting at the front?

eserv answered your question well and I will comment further on how to observe that answer on most any engine. Your picture for example you can see where the intake bolts to the head. Most of the time the valve that belongs to that intake runner is the one that lines up with it. Some times the runner passage can be seen a a raised casting but when it is not that obvious the manifold ports will line up with the respective valve. The exhaust is more difficult in the pic of the L175 head because the passage turns from the valve to the manifold. Still the intake makes an easy line-up so the exhaust has to be the other one.


Glad everything went well for you.

 

[meanjean]

Replacing my 3rd head gasket in 3 years.*
It's always blown in the same general area, front left corner. *
This the first time I haven't been rushed thru the process and hopefully the last time I need to do it.*

Had the head resurfaced for a total of $80, a bargain as far as I'm concerned based on turn around time alone.*

I removed the radiator for a thorough cleaning and noticed the full extent of the problem. I'm guessing somewhere between 20-25% of the fins are plugged with 32 years of grime, dirt, and crap.*
I've tried cleaning with compressed air with no real success. I've tried running a ziptie thru the fins then compressed air with no real success.*
I'm going to try warm water next.*

If anyone has tips/advise I am all ears.*

 

[Apogee]

Pull the radiator and have it rebuilt. Shouldn't cost much and the problem will be solved correctly.

 

[meanjean]

I used a combination of warm water, compressed air, pressure washer, and zip ties to clean the rad. Zip tie helped me to free up the real thick grit stuck in the fins. All clean and the tractor is back together.
Next step is bleeding the system, here we go.

 

[MagKarl]

You're missing the point of Apogee's comment. You need to get the radiator clean on the inside. Take it to a real radiator man and have him go through it. I have been in this exact place with an old Honda Civic. 2nd time I replaced the head gasket I took the radiator in and had it rodded out. Looked fine on the outside, tubes plugged on the inside. Had I done that the first go around, I wouldn't needed the second gasket job. You are already on #3.

 

[Orange Tractors]

I don't think I have ever been up close and personal with an L1801, does it have a water pump to circulate the coolant, or is it a Thermo-Syphon system like the L175?

Radiators on small engines have to be kept clean or, well you know...

I vote for finding a real radiator shop, (good Luck) and getting the radiator cleaned/ rodded out properly.

Robert

 

[meanjean]

It's a thermosyphon system.
I will call the rad shops in town and gets some pricing.

 

[Orange Tractors]

Thanks for answering my question.

I had another thought about what is causing your head gasket to blow. Have you checked both the head and the block with a straight edge?

The reason I ask is that a friend of mine had a headgasket blow between cylinders on a small block chevy and it looked like someone had used a cutting torch when the gasket blew. It sure ruined that block, the strange thing was the head was okay.

Robert

 

[meanjean]

They checked the head with a straight edge, all is well.
I didn't check the block as I dont have a straight edge.