I'm crossing the lines here as I bleed green.

A neighbor has a Massey 85 and he said that the water jump went to h**l and he drove it back to his barn, shut it off and will not start now, yes it does crank. This was a year ago by now. He had the local Massey Dealer look at it briefly (did not tear it open) and they said that the head is most likely cracked. Whether it is or is not is yet to be determined.

This is a gas engine and I do not know if this is the E242 or E223 block? The block casting number is A600.

If the head is truly cracked, are there any to be found? I know them continental engines are hard to get parts for. I do see that reliance does offer rebuild kits, but if I need a head that's a totally different story.

Any used parts out there?

Should I get involved and try to help him or let it be?

Thanks
 
Before you condemn it trouble shoot it.
#1 check to see if it has a good blue white spark at the center wire of the cap and at the plug wires that jump a 1/4 inch gap or more.
#2 pull the carb drain plug and make sure it has a god steady flow of gas that will fill a pint jar in less then 3 minutes
#3 check the air cleaner it could be full of water and mud or clogged up wit ha dirt dobber nest etc. so it is being fully choked all the time
#4 does it have compression??
#5 coolant in the oil?? If the head is cracked good chance of coolant in the oil.
 
That it still turns over is a good sign.

Before assuming the worst, try to get it running first. If the water pump has sloppy bearings, loose and wobbling, take the belt off so it doesn't break and go through the radiator.

Do some basic diagnosis, compression, spark, and fuel. It could have quit running with something as simple as a wet ignition system.

If it starts and runs on all cylinders, looks like it's savable, then replace the water pump and the thermostat, get some coolant in the system.

Unless it got really hot, the head is probably not cracked. Ask the owner what symptoms it had before it quit.

Symptoms of a cracked head or blown head gasket are mystery coolant loss with no external leak, overheating, steam out the exhaust even when warmed up, missing at idle, blowing coolant out the radiator, and condensation in the crankcase.

If it is determined there is a head/head gasket problem, it will need to be addressed ASAP because there will now be coolant in the cylinders. If left sitting the engine will stick, rings will stick, cylinders rust, cause deeper engine problems.
 
All gas 85s I've seen used the 223 engine, Super 90 and possibly late 85s have the 242. Far as checking for a cracked head, I'd remove the fan belt, fill the system and watch for bubbles in the radiator while letting the engine idle a bit. I have two gas parts tractors with heads, not sure what shape they are in though.
 
(quoted from post at 01:23:52 10/16/18) As others have said I'd do some more trouble shooting first. That
being said I have an 85 for parts. I'm in NNY.


Where about in Northern NY?
Anywhere near Lowville. I have a camp over in Beaver River.
 

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