squonk 45,886 #26 Posted February 24 4 minutes ago, pfrederi said: Is there any evidence of significantly different failure rates between the two styles...assuming the head was in good shape in all instances??? I have not had any failures in ones of either type I installed. I have gotten tractors with head gasket problems of both types I think the big issue is this area of the block decks. Look at the difference with the rest of the surface. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 55,829 #27 Posted February 24 5 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: I don't get charged for shipping either. That is weird. Could be Squonky. I wire brushed the snot out of that area and seemed to look ok. Would stand to reason that's the area that is likely to leak since the hottest. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 16,109 #28 Posted February 24 3 minutes ago, squonk said: I think the big issue is this area of the block decks. Look at the difference with the rest of the surface. Highest temps in that area, right? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 55,829 #29 Posted February 24 11 minutes ago, pfrederi said: significantly different failure rates between the two styles. Not that I have noticed. Head bolts loosening up guess it doesn't matter what style. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 45,886 #30 Posted February 24 1 hour ago, WHX?? said: That is weird. Could be Squonky. I wire brushed the snot out of that area and seemed to look ok. Would stand to reason that's the area that is likely to leak since the hottest. I'm thinking distortion of the deck from the heat cycles. I picked up a small set of precision parallel blocks I'm anxious to try out on my Power King when I take it apart. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 55,829 #31 Posted February 24 1 hour ago, squonk said: thinking distortion of the deck Head wasn't bad as some. Did'nt take much glassing. 1 hour ago, squonk said: picked up a small set of precision parallel blocks pic and use??? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 45,886 #32 Posted February 24 2 hours ago, WHX?? said: Head wasn't bad as some. Did'nt take much glassing. pic and use??? Just 6" long precision ground straight edges. I can lay it across the deck and lookfora low spot. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 77,971 #33 Posted March 8 On the pricing differences... I meant to update this a couple weeks ago and forgot. Bills Place did get right back to me. They use several mainstream online markets to sell product. As anyone who's ever listed on either - the jungle site - or - the popular auction site - (I do not) can tell you... it's a PITA. All have rules. All have limits. All have different percentages of net and different shipping policies. Bills Place uses a pricing software to help with this. It, like anything, has flaws. My order of preference for online Wheelhorse parts: A#1 ... absolutely @76c12091520h After that I email billsplaceshop.com 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 64,838 #34 Posted March 8 Little Red Barn has them. https://www.lilredbarn.net/product-p/47-041-15-s.htm 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 77,971 #35 Posted March 8 26 minutes ago, 953 nut said: Little Red Barn has them. https://www.lilredbarn.net/product-p/47-041-15-s.htm Those are for Big blocks 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 64,838 #36 Posted March 8 1 hour ago, ebinmaine said: Those are for Big blocks Yes, I know. My search was for the head gaskets with a metal ring since not everyone is building the small blocks. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 45,886 #37 Posted March 8 Can't trust pictures nowadays either! 3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 55,829 #38 Posted March 9 20 hours ago, squonk said: Can't trust pictures nowadays either! Got that right! What's our saying about horses ... they all look better in pictures. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 64,838 #39 Posted March 9 On 2/23/2026 at 10:44 AM, WHX?? said: Tempted to use orginal gasket over i know some have done it. I seem to recall someone soaking an old head gasket in water, allowing it to dry off though some water would remain inside the gasket the3n freezing it which would cause it to expand slightly. I wasn't able to search that post so you just gotta trust an old man's memory on this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 6,534 #40 Posted March 10 On 2/23/2026 at 5:16 PM, ebinmaine said: @WHX?? Definitely advisable to recheck at LEAST 3 times. We've had both small and big block engines need to be retorqued twice. Good info there Eric. I never done that. Will do today. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
