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I have a 12.5 hp craftsman lawn tractor and have a blown head gasket, I have the engine all apart and am waiting fot the gasket set to come in the mail, I am wondering what the head bolt patern for tightening and what torque ft/lb to tighten the bolts to? Model # of the tractor is 917.254750 12.5 hp tehcumseh ohv engine
Answer -
I'm currently at a conference in Colorado and do not have the specs on hand.
Are the bolts 5/16 diameter and use a 1/2 socket?
Let me know. The 5/16 bolts are torqued to 200 inch pounds.
Eric
Yes 1/2" socket, is correct what would that translate into ft/lbs then. I do not have a in/lb torque wrench.
AnswerOf all the engine brands, I prefer to actually use a torque wrench to torque Tecumseh head bolts.
I believe Sears sell them, you can even use a foot-pound torque wrench, just divide...should be about 16.5 foot-pounds.
As for the sequence, start with a middle bolt then go to the one opposite it, then back to the right or left of the first middle bolt. Basically use a criss-cross pattern to prevent warping the head. As a good rule, we (shop policy) is to torque in small sequences. Start with 50-60 inch pounds, torque using a criss-cross pattern. Then torque to 100 inch-pounds, 150 and finally 200 inch pounds.
We also apply anti-seize compound to the threads.
How many head bolts to you have?
Let me know.
Eric
