So I decided this weekend would be a great time to swap in the new head on the 2200 OHV. Had all the gaskets parts and bolts needed to get the job done..just needed a few good hours of daylight to get it done. Everything was prepped cleaned oiled and bolted back in place and I was glad it finally was over. Started to fill the coolant and about 3/4 of the way through I notice a drip from the passenger side of the engine. First thoughts on anybodys mind after a head gasket/head change ...@!#$ @!#$ @!#$, don't let it be the gasket.

Turns out, it is the coolant pipe that bolts to the side of the head near the coolant reservoir. Once the level of the coolant was lowered back below the pipe/head connection the leak stopped dripping. For some reason the rubber gasket around the end of that pipe doesn't fit as snugly as it should into the new patriot performance head...Either they machined the hole too large or it is a totally different size from my original head in which the pipe was a snug fit.

Will the coolant hold with a good layer of silicone gasket sealer?? I'm letting it cure overnight bolted hand tight, and then torqueing it to spec in the morning. There really isn't anything besides a single bolt that secures that coolant flow pipe to the head..and I'm worried come Monday morning I still won't have a driveable car.