I reported back in November that a friends Universal M-25 engine was overheating. I won't mention it is in a Catalina 36. After investigating, found the # 2 piston burned badly, head gasket was blown. The decision to rebuild was made and I proceded to do the work. I replaced the main and rod bearings ( no real wear noticed), pistons, rings and the head ( almost as cheap as a rebuild), rebuilt the injectors, and injector pump. We also installed a new drive plate while the engine was out. After installing the engine and getting it running (bleeding fuel system) we noticed a large amount of oil in the cooling system. Oil was coming out of the coolant overflow. I figured the head gasket had failed as I had to remove the head after it was torqued (don't remember why now), so a new head gasket was installed. started the engine and same thing again. Oil in the coolant. This time I pulled the head and pressurized the oil passages. Found air leaking out of the coolant ports on the head. The drilled oil passage for lubing the rocker shaft had been drilled into the water jacket. We called Kumar Brothers ( supplier of head,and good source for Universal engine parts) Told them what happened and they sent a new head. Going to install it tomorrow after checking the oil passage for leaks. When the engine was running it was much smother and quieter than before.
-- Douglas Mountjoy POYC Rebecca Leah LF39
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