new member, need your input on Cat 112 grader head gasket

I read some posts in January after acquiring a 1952 112 road grader. They helped me get my pony motor going.

The 112 had been sitting for years (not sure how long but everything is rusted as good as welded). the diesel was working but had to be pulled to start. Started working on the pony motor...had the carb rebuilt (TU4C), even got a new bowl from Zenith (last one, I think). Rebuilt the magneto...needed a new coil and put new bearings in at same time. Then had to free up the clutch to transfer the pony motor to the diesel. Finally got everything working. Actually have put about 10 hours on it grading the road to our development. Now it appears I have a head gasket leak. At the rear left side of the head (back near the pony motor) there is liquid leaking out when the diesel is running. I have noticed a decrease in the amount of coolant although slight. I figure I have a couple of choices: 1) pull the head and replace the head gasket, 2) use some Barr's product to stop the leak.

This is where i need the help. Am I crazy to even think about using Barr's Head Gasket sealant? I'm new to heavy equipment but am having a blast getting this old grader going and working the road. I don't immediately have access to a lift to pull the head although i could fabricate something. I thought I'd try the Barr's and if that didn't work, then I'd figure out the details on pulling the head. If I use the Barr's, do I run the chance of plugging up more than want sealed, like the water directors in the head? Since the water pressure in the diesel is only like 6psi, would the Barr's work any way?

Has anyone out there used the stuff successfully? I don't yet have a parts book for this engine, D315. A part number for the head gasket? I checked the torques on the head bolts last weekend and they're all up to specs.

Thanks for any insight/advice anyone can offer.

Doug V.

Give the Barr's Leaks a shot, Doug. But do see if you can figure out whether any coolant is getting into the #4 cylinder. You might be able to pop the injector out and take a look with a bore scope. As well as the regular head gasket, this engine also has o-rings and ferrules to seal maybe a dozen coolant passages between the block and the head. My guess is one of these has let go. If so, not a major issue and I'd try the Barr's Leaks first. I have a pony with a cracked block and I'm slowly getting that crack clogged up with Barr's.

www.acmoc.org/bb/showthread.php?17111-D6-9U-running-HOT-and-radiator-cleaning

Thread about cleaning the radiator and then stopping serious internal coolant leaks with a product called DIKE. I think it is less likely to plug stuff you don't want plugged and is a little less damaging than Barrs Leaks if any might get into the oil.

I've tried the new Bar's Leak (the silver stuff) and it seems to work fine. Doesn't tend to plug the radiator like the old pellet stuff.

I have had great results using K&W liquid block sealer. It will not cause cooling system problems and I have repairs that have lasted for years.
I also have a parts book for NO. 112 3U1 to 3U4797 listed in For Sale/Wanted for $10.00(now on pg.9) if you are interested.

Most those sealants contain sodium silicate (water glass). They do work but the duration of the fix varies. Does require 210 - 220 deg. F. temperature for the chemical reaction to occur. I have used the Barr's Leak silver stuff myself, seems to work fine and yes avoid using the old pellet stuff.

My 3U1-up parts manual says the head gasket is a #4F7004 (Victor #1870)

Thanks to all of you so far....

Looks like I'll give Barr's or KW a try....i'll do some internet looking at the KW. One thing I forgot in my original post...serial number 3U3844...but then some of you already new it was a 3U1 and up.

I'll have to put a post on for sale/wanted for a d315 parts book. I have a servicemen's manual that covers a lot but that parts book would be nice.

There's a lifetime of maintenance to catch up on...lots of bad seals...guess it will keep me out of trouble.

The grader parts book covering your serial number will have all the D315 engine parts as well as the chassis parts and attachments, so for a parts book, that is what you need. Can't beat the price from seiscat.......must be the good guy discount applied there!