HD6G bone head move

So thanks to Jim igot my hands on a parts manual. Much to my horror i noticed that the fan is on its own shaft, not attached to the water pump impeller shaft as you would inspect in an automobile engine.

For the past month I have had an aftermarket alternator out of the tractor for repair because when i got the machine it was locked up (filled with mud and rocks due to underwater excursion maybe) and burning the belt. Despite burning the belt might have been turning a tad. This of course means that i have not been driving the water pump for the past month.

Now, im not totally insane because I check all fluids befor starting the machine, and i specifically confirm movement of water through the radiator after startups while waiting for the machine to warm up befor putting her to work.

Regardless of not driving the water pump i see water moving through the radiator, and a close eye has indicated that she has not overheated (though who knows just how accurate that old gauge is), nor has she ever vented out the radiator cap.

So obviously ill get the water pump spining again today. My question is, what gives with having seen water moving through the radiator? Is there a secondary pump somewhere? Would convection be that strong?

My second question relates to having potentially blown a head gasket. I have read that the budha engines are notorious for blowing head gaskets. Im sure the above fiasco didn't help ensure a healthy head gasket. So what am i looking for to see if the head gasket is blown.

I dont see water or steam in the exhaust, nor do I find very much water missing from the radiator; which i think is due to a leak. I dont see any water in the oil.

So what does one look for on these budha engines to see if there is a blown head gasket? Clean injector tip? Pull the head and look? Seepage around the head?

Edited by Leop - 30 Dec 2018 at 4:23pm

The HD6G have only 1 water pump 4338662 and se is drive by a front pulley and am should have 4 spairs

If your head gasket is leaking you can have one or several things happen. You would likely see bubbles in the top of the rad (with no cap on). If the thermostat is tight the rad will puke out coolant by the cap as you get exhaust build up that can't escape to the top until the thermostat opens. If you have a head gasket leak for some time the coolant turns black from the soot in the exhaust that mixes in.

Well,

I got the old alternator (half of it anyway) installed today and the water pump is now turning. God willing, the old girl will spare me a head gasket job despite my abuse. So far i see no signs of a problem with the head gasket, so hopfully im out of the woods with that one.

Thanks for the tips though.

Leo