Recent content by tshep

Dodge 5.9, broken manifold stud job (machinist found head cracks) became heads in trash. You got off light on your cascading problems!

There is an 'industrial'/generator side to the business. Same parts (if used, typically engine) cheaper prices. 2nd page of searches!

Well, I took everything apart. I have a SS impeller, looked great. Stat tested great on stove, radiator guy pumped cleaning stuff and did the fins. On reassembly... I IR thermometer-ed the pump, hoses, water everything. Found a spot I liked above and below the stat, eventually the same. 20 drop...

So, situation is BX/54 mower runs right up at orange with tall grass. Recent work shows clear radiator (in and out), minimal internal rust, etc. I believe I would NOT trust the water pump next. I got tractor only a few years old. Is it likely the original pump was a cast or formed (SS?)...

And of course... moved exhaust manifold/muffler to access plug, nut and stud troubles! I gonna' suggest K (wisely) used soft metals here on purpose, heated they lost what little strength they had, tiny impact messed them up. New studs, nuts, body back on, heat 'em this weekend!

Did my final antifreeze fill, rode down the street to warm it up and top off and got a hole in a freeze plug. I was that close!

Well, you don't. I thought I would finally use the 9/16 'crow's foot' 'wrench" that was in my 1975 graduation tool set - it slipped. So shaft off, retorqued head, shaft down, torqued back in very small steps. Will do valves again after some run-in!

Got it! I pulled the head for a tiny, but steady stream of bubbles at radiator cap. I now do not have any bubbles, just a weird standing wave from the vibrations. But no bubbles! I got lucky; machinist found no cracks; my dad's old framing square said it was still flat. Hard to start, I...

Never mind... I 'erred'. While assembling bodywork, hose in convolute showed up! (Pic is under Fuel System/Fuel Pipe.)

OK, you got my description, great! I get that (donut) 1 feeds 2 (through metal pipe), feeds 3 (metal pipe), metal pipe to rubber tubing to tank. But there is a metal tube on 1 going to the front, never had a rubber tube on it. https://www.messicks.com/parts/kubota/16261-42502 Is it not...

When one stands on the left side of the engine, the three injectors run fore and aft. There is a device - 3 donuts joined by tubes, and the tubes continue to the fore and aft - I suppose a return or vent. Mine (and the parts book) is connected only on the aft end, there is nothing for the fore...

OK, I get it... maybe I should have BEFORE I pulled the head? NTL, if I see any bubbles, I will follow up!

So, machinist confirmed no cracks (!!), had OEM gaskets before I started. Doc, you teasing me? How to 'block combustion leak test'?

I was expressing hope, that my only problem was the head gasket, to explain/fix tiny bubbles. Based on reading, and my machinist's remarks, I may have the rare 'caught it before it cracked'!

Hey - got these 3 combustion areas They seem to be same size and exactly same place, with stake marks? Cracks or not? FRecommend home crack test system? I hope I'm changing head gasket for tiniest of radiator bubbles. Any help?