[mikeduwe]

Don't know for sure yet as I have not run it, but I did find loose timing gears, so I took them out.

 

[mikeduwe]

 

[gmp]

Mike, You may have already checked the gasket area for being flat on the head, however ever time I see an aluminum head it crosses my mind to just check them before installation.

 

[mikeduwe]

I ran it over sandpaper on a piece of glass for about 30 minutes till the surface was all uniform.
Should be good to go.

 

[striperon]

When I was racing modified snowmobiles in the early 1970's I kept hearing how other racers ran their heads on sandpaper over glass, but never ran their cylinder "jugs". I ran the jugs and the heads. It made a difference.

 

[gmp]

Bought a 112 with a Tecumseh HH100 engine that kept burning out the head gasket, someone suggested I try the sandpaper trick and I was shocked on my first look to see how uneven the surface was, after the gasket area was all flattened out that was the last time the head has been off.

Waiting to here if the balancing gears will make the difference!

 

[trav1s]

Mike,

What grit paper did you use on the head? I did that to the head on my old RF 110 but did not take the head of the 120 when I put it together but forget what paper I used.

Travis

 

[mikeduwe]

I started with 220 but wasnt getting very far around the exhaust valve area where there was a low spot so switched to 150. About half way thought I thought to tape the corners of the paper to the glass so I could use both hands on the head and didnt fight holding the paper in place.

I may finish it off with the 220.

 

[Hammerdown-7]

Hi
I have sanded down cylinder head's in the past and it worked out fine. I used a 3-M hand sanding block to insure the surface stayed level and it quickly show's the Low spot's when using 220 Grit sand paper. I did a Cross Pattern while sanding it left to right as to Not sand the surface off level while sanding down the head. I finished up with 400 Grit sand paper and had no head gasket issues afterwards. I used some Indian Head Brand head Gasket sealer when I placed the head back onto the block. it can be bought in any auto part's store I got mine at Advance auto. It gives that extra insurance for a nice tight seal. I hope this help's, Kurt

 

[425and300jd]

Hey Mike,
I will sell you a slightly used head with minimal cracking if you need one. LOL

 

[mikeduwe]

Doug, do you still have that head? I would like to see it for failure analysis/curiousity.

 

[425and300jd]

Mike,
Yes I still have the head.
I took that picture this morning.
If you want it, I will mail the head to you.

 

[bubba4020]

Doug isn't that head for a 16? 10 bolt ?

 

[KB]

It is different then the one Mike posted.

 

[425and300jd]

Travis,
Yes it is a 16 head. Just harassing Mr Duwe.

 

[mikeduwe]

Its different in that mine doesnt have a crack in it either.

Should have the 140 running again this weekend unless something unexpected comes up.

Hope the noise is gone.

 

[mikeduwe]

Resolution: it was NOT the balance gears making the noise. Was still there after I drove it for a few minutes. Opened up the points a bit more and went away, close them some and it came back.

Going to check the spark plug gap, but it looks like timing usin the mark on the flywheel/gap at the points isn't ideal.

At least those loosy goosy gears are out now before they let go.

 

[rustyknuckles]

I am puzzled as to how point gap could be making a lot of noise directly. Is it possible that the noise is spark knock? That would be affected by timing.

 

[rachetman]

My 1969 140 use to have a bad knock in it when I got it.Then someone at a plowday told me to try resetting the points, so I did and the knock went away.

 

[mikeduwe]

Jay, yes.