adsm08 3,145 #1 Posted June 2 So I have now blown out the third head gasket in as many years, in the exact same spot. I've been using Stens gaskets, I've replaced the hardware, I've checked and decked he head. I'm using the torque wrench when I install the bolts, I'm just not sure what is going wrong, but the gaskets don't have the fire ring around the cylinder, and I have not been having any luck finding one. Does anyone know where to get one with the ring? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,696 #2 Posted June 2 They are hen's teeth... orginal Kohlers if you can even find them. Did you glass the head? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adsm08 3,145 #3 Posted June 2 26 minutes ago, WHX?? said: They are hen's teeth... orginal Kohlers if you can even find them. Did you glass the head? I did once before. I didnt last time because it checked true on the straight edge, and I was in a hurry. I am going to again this time, as I am not in a hurry. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 29,362 #4 Posted June 2 (edited) 45 minutes ago, adsm08 said: I'm using the torque wrench when I install the bolts Did you get the engine hot and then re-torque the head bolts while it was hot? Edited June 2 by Achto Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adsm08 3,145 #5 Posted June 2 3 minutes ago, Achto said: Did you get the engine hot and then re-torque the head bolts while it was hot? I don't remember. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 29,362 #6 Posted June 2 I can't tell for sure but this Rotary gasket appears to have a fire ring. https://www.ebay.com/itm/155548417571?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110018%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.COMPLISTINGS%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20231016072133%26meid%3De8a99cf2a1d943d185702a20b5036adb%26pid%3D101878%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D25%26sd%3D275631368204%26itm%3D155548417571%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D3959035%26algv%3DCompVINativeV3WithDiversityAndVectorPrime%26brand%3DRotary%26fpg%3D0&_trksid=p3959035.c101878.m1851&itmprp=cksum%3A155548417571e8a99cf2a1d943d185702a20b5036adb|enc%3AAQAKAAABEGgCq%2FBQMpjHH%2B%2FXCPaJ%2FPgnm8qEM26Fm9wMVIwhHqx%2BHWELpA7ejlxB0XIymKIPj7cLCAEB87Zv5oZpN9NyRfsmYa%2F4f1b7jGqriF%2Bi%2FUlqxF%2Faibn%2FJDckwimlFeAjlGo%2FOlAuRymLyHNws8aI9HjccDTICNyCgkZO%2BWFmYU%2FqxSVQ13vRQrWZaiUmTdH0gTu%2FvVV7xKLC1eNVkbs38k72SiJwUAUGELkve84kd95OGVcUGM0iiO0Zk4WYoiXOhTXPjx9mOCoYFdDOBB4F%2F9wN3tsyMcMrf4CaCcO%2BzOZGNn8ZotwjgTCP5J%2F1pVJJ52NLOL4Ld2KqT4U8s5%2B%2BkfXORSHmzTP6carB9f9NsQB8|ampid%3APL_CLK|clp%3A3959035&epid=1903509055&itmmeta=01JWQ2YCAMM5WH0R4CBBXM86VZ 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adsm08 3,145 #7 Posted June 2 2 minutes ago, Achto said: I can't tell for sure but this Rotary gasket appears to have a fire ring. https://www.ebay.com/itm/155548417571?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110018%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.COMPLISTINGS%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20231016072133%26meid%3De8a99cf2a1d943d185702a20b5036adb%26pid%3D101878%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D25%26sd%3D275631368204%26itm%3D155548417571%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D3959035%26algv%3DCompVINativeV3WithDiversityAndVectorPrime%26brand%3DRotary%26fpg%3D0&_trksid=p3959035.c101878.m1851&itmprp=cksum%3A155548417571e8a99cf2a1d943d185702a20b5036adb|enc%3AAQAKAAABEGgCq%2FBQMpjHH%2B%2FXCPaJ%2FPgnm8qEM26Fm9wMVIwhHqx%2BHWELpA7ejlxB0XIymKIPj7cLCAEB87Zv5oZpN9NyRfsmYa%2F4f1b7jGqriF%2Bi%2FUlqxF%2Faibn%2FJDckwimlFeAjlGo%2FOlAuRymLyHNws8aI9HjccDTICNyCgkZO%2BWFmYU%2FqxSVQ13vRQrWZaiUmTdH0gTu%2FvVV7xKLC1eNVkbs38k72SiJwUAUGELkve84kd95OGVcUGM0iiO0Zk4WYoiXOhTXPjx9mOCoYFdDOBB4F%2F9wN3tsyMcMrf4CaCcO%2BzOZGNn8ZotwjgTCP5J%2F1pVJJ52NLOL4Ld2KqT4U8s5%2B%2BkfXORSHmzTP6carB9f9NsQB8|ampid%3APL_CLK|clp%3A3959035&epid=1903509055&itmmeta=01JWQ2YCAMM5WH0R4CBBXM86VZ Sure looks like it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 29,362 #8 Posted June 2 Even with a fire ring, I will always retorque after the engine is hot. Skipped this process on my pulling tractor, blew the head gasket about the 4th time that I hooked up. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,696 #9 Posted June 2 1 hour ago, Achto said: Rotary gasket appears to have a fire ring. We'll find out ... just pulled the trigger on one. 857 needs one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 72,414 #10 Posted June 2 FYI. The description is wrong on that one. It states fitment for both small and big block flat head engines. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 72,414 #11 Posted June 2 I sent an email to billsplaceshop.com this morning too 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 9,348 #12 Posted June 2 7 hours ago, adsm08 said: I don't remember. The re-torque procedure is critical to get the gasket to seal evenly. Question - were the head bolts easy to remove - they just turned and did not break loose?? If so, the head was NOT re-torqued properly. Re-torque once the engine has gotten up to temp with no load and allowed to cool. Repeat as necessary until proper torque is evident with a completely cold engine ( the toughest one I ran across was a 6 HP Tecky - 7 procedures required). Cast iron block, aluminum head and composite gasket all expand and contract at different rates as the gasket compresses to final height.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 29,362 #13 Posted June 2 This one appears to be right. https://www.ebay.com/itm/275631368204?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D286568%26meid%3D63a34a3c3dfb463da7a73dc7deed4afc%26pid%3D101875%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D155548417571%26itm%3D275631368204%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2332490%26algv%3DSimVIDwebV3WithCPCExpansionEmbeddingSearchQuerySemanticBroadMatchSingularityRecallReplaceKnnV4WithVectorDbNsOptHotPlRecallCIICentroidCoviewCPCAuto%26brand%3DRotary&_trksid=p2332490.c101875.m1851&itmprp=cksum%3A27563136820463a34a3c3dfb463da7a73dc7deed4afc|enc%3AAQAKAAABgG96wQ16jds4VFcrhy1F3d4mbwZUJI9Fs%2BgdXYAHIzlX2e3YaNh7x%2BEnKA3G%2BCqSl1Xn4McfcWFK1GytmS2qxJ87mtE8Gm3iR1Ja4WBwh0hNHJrJx3Ki5mp04ow4CO7lP%2BooCybZDDU%2BbbSwmg7CbTin%2BBzBzbCYVnbjvyQAHu6--HI4MB7SvJl5IJqlyvomgoLMlgT6qAJzX0SANJhty2e8e%2FEwT21XnVX%2BNwUZ51PFd9%2FEBFqQs2B6r2c4reGX0DTTwKSpVEKdV0%2FaXwBMFxwzXl%2Fs6rrwuKx9KWp7qqdd3hN2UY5iFinKCaLO1xTEbjzQljyGMob%2BSw197OlryFnb65Wcv45%2FSFqOVWKOtyWZXg490Jyr7ltp%2FywKg2nE7r6QrJHdseX9Icr7WNIjFd0oNLOZ0oigrcYPy4PBzjv067myQnU94KtS6yavYw7oyPcWx9KqXMa%2FraH5NYoFn9KvapN3bvkB2As0rRMFf5h6kZejyQyD8fTvhK7I%2F9Xw0g%3D%3D|ampid%3APL_CLK|clp%3A2332490&epid=23062918490&itmmeta=01JWR264B097R0WQFV7PZ2GSW7 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,729 #14 Posted June 2 The original 4104105S steel wafer head gasket has been replaced by Kohler to a 4104011S which looks like a graphite gasket. The last 3 181 gasket sets I got from I Save Tractors had the steel wafer gasket in the set. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,696 #15 Posted June 2 3 hours ago, ebinmaine said: I sent an email to billsplaceshop.com this morning too i was gonna do that to the seller that Dan posted and ask but figured what the hell I needed one anyway. I usually get them from I Save. His are Stens but bet they are the same as a Rotary. Somebody did have/make them. The one on the 161 of Dan's had a fire ring which was a service motor. That's why I was thinkin original Kohler. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adsm08 3,145 #16 Posted June 3 15 hours ago, ri702bill said: Question - were the head bolts easy to remove - they just turned and did not break loose?? I haven't taken it apart yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
