125 force head gasket

[jhaley59]

Replacing blown head gasket and damaged head on 1985 125HP. Dealer told me the forces were notorious for blowing head gaskets. Does anyone have any tricks of the trade that might help in installation.
PS I have the manual and proper head torking sequence.

 

[robms6]

Re: 125 force head gasket

I used rtv red sealant on my blown gasket last year no problems.(just took the motor apart after it ate a ring in cyl4). Some people say yes some people say no but I figure with a gouge or 2 of a putty knife combined with natural warpage over time of the head it can't hurt. Other then that it isn't a hard job. Just remember to re-torque after 5-10 hours(if I remember the cylmer correctly). And dont forget to take the thermostat out and make sure it isn't gunked up. I used my great grandfathers hammer screwdriver for that. (10 years ago when I got it I thought wtf am I ever going to use this for)

 

[my1stboat1]

Re: 125 force head gasket

did the 85 hp engines blow headgaskets aswell... I have never replaced mine.. how would you know it was blown

 

[robms6]

Re: 125 force head gasket

The best way is to do a compression test on it. Basically you take the spark plug out. Screw in the compression gauge. Use the starter to get you a rotation or 2 and read the gauge. If any cyl's compression is off more than 15% from the others you have a problem. I was in a hurry when I needed my gauge so I went to sears and spent $120 but they can be had for way less than that.

 

[jhaley59]

Re: 125 force head gasket

yea I paid 40 dollars from auto zone for my tester. No only was the head gasket bad but it had been run so longe the head was shot, the machine shop said the head would have to ground at least 70 th and wouldn't guarantee that. It had eaten a thumbnail hole in the aluminum next to gasket leading into top seal of piston.