Well, I broke it...maybe

[keyser]

While waiting for a local machine shop to turn new spindles for my Pennington deck, I decided to do some maintenance on the 59 Lo Boy. I drained the oil, flushed with kerosene with bolt in, replaced filter, and filled with 3 qts VR1. Also changed transmission fluid, steering box, both finals and refilled with Hytran. I then changed plugs (Champion D21). Lastly, I added 50/50 antifreeze to the radiator just to cover the fins.

I went out to mow and it fired right up, mowed one pass and it died, but I thought maybe I didn't let it warm up or choked it out. It restarted and seemed to be running great with good oil pressure and I finished the front yard. I parked it for a minute to get a drink and when I returned, I noticed some leaking onto the deck that looked like oil/antifreeze. I noticed on the lid for the filter housing had this mixture all over the lid. I thought that maybe the fan had blown coolant back from the overflow, so I wiped it off and started it up again, only to see the pool start to form again on top of the filter housing. I pulled into the garage and drained the oil from the housing into a mason jar and it was olive green and the canister had what appears to be green coolant in the bottom. So I drained all the oil.

I guess I made the mistake of assuming it was the head gasket, so I tore it down and the gasket looked pretty good, I didn't see any noticeable cracks in the head. I'm feeling kind of dumb...founded at the moment. I guess I will pull the oil pan next?

[tst]

looks like cylinders 2 & 3 were leaking, the pistons look shiny on those two cylinders, the carbon will get eaten off by the antifreeze, you can see the clean spot in the middle of the head gasket also, make sure to seal the new head gasket and head bolts when putting it back together

[outdoors4evr]

Also, don't forget to re-torque the head bolts after you warm it up the first time.

[Slim140]

Get new grade 9 bolts from McMaster Carr for the head reinstall.....don't ask why I recommend this.

[pickerandsinger]

Hamilton Bob a site sponsor also sells headbolts of the correct length in a set....Very reasonable...I've put several sets in...Dave

[keyser]

Thank you all for the info. Will place an order for the parts. I plan to copper kote the gasket and I've got some ptfe sealant for the bolts. Debating on having the head ground but haven't put a straight edge to it yet.

[Stevetractor]

Not that expensive to have it surfaced. Also a good opertunity to relap valves. The exhaust seats may be pitted, a bit better to check and correct now than in a years time. JMHO