'52 cub head gasket issues

billnovacek

New User
I recently rebuilt the engine in my 52 cub. It runs great but has ongoing issues with the head gasket. I had the block tended to at a machine shop here in NH and it was inspected, rebored, etc. and given a clean bill of health. I finished the rebuild, got her running and antifreeze came out around the head gasket on the manifold side first time I started it. I retorqued the head bolts as recommended but still leaked. I watched a utube video suggested using copper coat. I got new gaskets and gave it a try. Same thing but not as bad. I ordered a new head. Put this on with new gaskets and does not leak on the outside of the head but seems to be leaking on the inside. This a guess by the fact that there are bubbles in the radiator antifreeze and abnormal amount of white smoke or steam coming out the exhaust. Anybody else run into this problem or have any suggestions? Thanks!
 
I do not know that engine but I would suspect the block was
not surfaced correctly. Dought is 2 different heads would be
warped the same way.
 
Are you sure they are the correct cylinder head bolts? Someone could have swapped out some or all over the last 70+ years,

Did you clean the bolt holes in the block thoroughly and chase the threads?

Which goes along with the question ''do the bolts show and sign that they've ''bottomed out''? You might check the length of the bolts vs. the depth of the holes to make sure they aren't bottoming or running out of full threads.
 
(quoted from post at 12:04:07 02/23/23)
I purchased a new set of head bolts. But I did not clean the bolt holes out as I assumes they where cleaned out when it was sand blasted. Probably should have checked them anyway. I have a feeling I will get the chance to do so yet!

This post was edited by billnovacek on 02/23/2023 at 11:24 am.
 
I suspect having the block resurfaced entails totally removing and disassembling the thing again?

This post was edited by billnovacek on 02/23/2023 at 11:27 am.
 
You said you had it gone over at a shop. They should have checked the block as part of going over it. I would give them a call and ask them if they checked the block surface before doing anything and get
their advise on what to do next. When I bought my 47 Cub it needed a valve job which involves taking the block to a machine shop. Everything had to come off of it including removing the crankshaft but they
checked everything and when I got it back it was like a new block. Interesting how a completely stripped Cub block can be just picked up and thrown in the back of a truck.
 
i would be doing some measuring on them head bolts.... meaning is there enough threads to screw into the block without bottoming out. people
always say , yes i retorqued bolts as recommended, well give us some specifications u used. plus when the surfaces are resurfaced you do
not need anything to seal it. u did not give any info on that either. you must confirm the bolt holes are clean and lubed and not bottoming
out. plus you should feel the bolt bottom out and come to a stop. not much of a torque on thm bolts. why would you replace the head gasket
without confirming the other new one has a problem? it appears this problem is moving around .plus when unsure of your work then add water
for the first start, then refill with antifreeze after all is good. pictures of your block head and gasket would be a plus also.
 
We have replaced head gaskets on
15+ Cubs, never had an issue.
Felpro gasket, several coats of
copper spray. Chase all the head
bolt holes and the bolts. Torque
in proper sequence, run up to
temp, re torque. Never had a head
or block go to a machine shop
either..........
 

I torqued the head bolts according to the book, 45 pounds and in the correct sequence. The block was not resurfaced. The machine shop simply said the block looked fine and I assumed that meant it did not need resurfacing. I have always been of the opinion that if the surfaces are good you do not need any sealant and that it is not recommended but I have since learned that copper coat is a common fix. I used the Permatex brand. I also sprayed the bolts with the copper coat. You suggested I reuse the head gaskets that have only been used briefly. I wasn't sure about that so bought new as I thought better safe than sorry. I did not add water when I first started it but only ran long enough to determine I had oil pressure and that motor sounded good. Then shut it off. Then added water/antifreeze. Then found I had water leak. I ran it till it was up to temperature then shut it down and let cool overnight. Next day when I retorque the bolts they turn a bit more before the wrench clicks. Anyway, I guess I should recontact the machine shop and see what they say. And I won't go through this a 4th time without checking the bolt holes! Thanks
 
while i am not a cub novice, u say 45 lbs for head bolts? ... that sure dont seam right to me. in my mind i was thinking 70 ft. lbs. 45 lbs
is a rod bolt torque on many engines. these head bolts dont look that small. are they 1/2 inch or 7/16 inch? i think that is the problem
here. give us the bolt size. sometimes you just have to question the manual.
 

So you put several coats of copper on. I only put two coats on. Several sounds better as the surface on the block is rough and narrow on the manifold side. Do you let the engine cool down before retorqueing or do you do it while still hot?
 
Have the sleeves been checked for height to each other if there are sleeves in it. use a straight edge to check block deck flatness with a light shined under the straight edge.
 
If there's any chance there's debris in blind holes continuing to ralph on the bolts may break them or pop a chunk out of the block.

I hate to send you on a wild goose chase, but I would have DEFINITELY checked out the holes and cleaned them as MAY have been needed before assembly.

Also, what was the source of the new head bolts, were they ordered by part number or were some will/may fit bolts used?
 
(quoted from post at 11:33:21 02/23/23) I recently rebuilt the engine in my 52 cub. It runs great but has ongoing issues with the head gasket. I had the block tended to at a machine shop here in NH and it was inspected, rebored, etc. and given a clean bill of health. I finished the rebuild, got her running and antifreeze came out around the head gasket on the manifold side first time I started it. I retorqued the head bolts as recommended but still leaked. I watched a utube video suggested using copper coat. I got new gaskets and gave it a try. Same thing but not as bad. I ordered a new head. Put this on with new gaskets and does not leak on the outside of the head but seems to be leaking on the inside. This a guess by the fact that there are bubbles in the radiator antifreeze and abnormal amount of white smoke or steam coming out the exhaust. Anybody else run into this problem or have any suggestions? Thanks!

I has the exact same thing happen to me when I rebuilt the engine on my 1952 cub. I am sure that I am going to get some strong disagreements on here,....but I was really frustrated with my head gasket problem. The only way I got mine to stop was coppercoat and over torquing the head bolts. I know, I know, you shouldn t over torque them but I did and it never leaked again.

This post was edited by SinkholeRoad on 02/23/2023 at 05:52 pm.
 
every one of those head bolts are open bottom right in the water jacket you are supposed to use thread sealer on the bolts ALSO look at your new bolts as they tend not to be threaded far enough up the shank of the bolt. i have seen cases where only one flat washer under the head of the bolt was enough to let the bolt torque properly and seal the gasket
 
welp ya said about the block , BUT what about the head . and like others have said what about the blots bottoming out as ya done up and shaved the deck . Then there is the FACT that FELPOR GSKTS ARE GARBAGE . Call them IDIOTS and tell them there product is JUNK , the more people complain then maybe they will start making gskts that seal the FIRST TIME . .
 
(quoted from post at 19:00:07 02/23/23)

Well, there are are lot of constructive suggestions here that I will write down and as soon as I get a chance I will take the head off again and go at this another time. Thank you and I will provide an update down the road.
 

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