UT KEF Head Cracked?

On my 1945 UT restoration, I fired it up today for the first time. It ran well at first, but then started to miss and finally would not start. I also had coolant seeping out of the rear of the head/block location at the head gasket. My first thought was a head gasket problem. But, as the engine ran a while longer the water leak stopped. The poor running and miss had me thinking there was another problem also.

After it cooled down I decided to re-torque the head, but had to take the manifold off to get to some of the head stud nuts. When I removed the manifold, a small amount of water ran out of the exhaust port on number one cylinder.

In sighting into the port I saw water standing around the valve stem. I removed the head and found a small amount of water on the top of #1 piston.

Does this sound like a cracked head around the valve guide to anyone else?

Are there replacement heads available that are servicable?

Thanks for any thoughts and help on this matter.

Dean

you may have two problems. Did the mag still have spark when it refused to start?

I had a U head once that was cracked in the exhaust port. You may just have to pull that head and get it magnafluxed.

My other thought is that I have had problems getting the water ports in those U head gaskets to seal off. On the last 2 engines I just put a bead of Permatex #2 around each port on both sides of the gasket. I know that is not reccommended, but it worked. It would be great if yours was just oozing water into the cylinder from the gasket area.

What is your torque? Early manuals (for the 2 head engines: I presume your '45 has one 4 cylinder head on it.) reccommended 80 on exhaust side, 100 on intake. I've read 100 exhaust, 130 intake on the later engines. (Some of the pullers around here use 150+.)

I had a 1940 KEF that gave simlar problems. Replaced the copper gasket with fibre type. Torqued to spec and end of problem. Someone had redone motor and had problems getting gasket to seal. I tried several sealants with no success.Maybe slightly warped head?

Thanks for your replies.

To T.R. K., I still had spark from the magneto as it wanted to run. I feel all is well there.

As for the torque values, my machinist gave me a printout showing all specifications for that engine. The torque for the manifold side is listed at 85 - 90 ft/lbs and for the cam side it is listed at 100 - 105 ft/lbs. That is where I was at.

As for the condition of the head, I had the head milled and rebuilt at a heavy equipment machine shop. He did magnaflux the head, but was unable to pressure test it. The head had been welded some time in the past between #2 and #3 in the oil galley below the rocker arm assembly. No leak found at that weld. No cracks were found during his testing. I will call him tomorrow to go deeper into this discussion with him.

As for the gasket not sealing, would that cause water to migrate into the exhaust port? I also found water on the underside around the exhaust valve head and on top of the piston. I would like to think that it is a leaking head gasket, but I just can't put it back together until I am sure it is not a cracked head around the exhaust valve guide.

The history of this tractor is, the farmer used it from new until he died, then it set out in the weather for 8 years until his son decided to develop the farm into smaller ranchettes and wanted to get rid of the tractor. I bought it as is, where is, with not much information from the seller.

To Molinegb, I did use the fiber head gasket that was provided by Welters. My one mistake may have been not using spray copper sealer on the head and deck before installing it.

Thanks to both of you for your insight.

Dean