Cub Cadet lawnmower sounds like a steam engine.

Our 18-year-old Cub Cadet lawnmower sounded like a steam engine. I replaced the driver side head gasket this Winter as the compression was low on that side. Now I was able to actually feel the pressure escaping from the passenger head gasket. It is actually a rather big job to remove the intake manifold screws to the head unless one takes the motor completely off. And taking the motor off would also be a bigger job. 

I completed the job enough to cut all the grass today. Now I need to put the tools away and look for a few missing screws, mainly for securing the hood. It sure sounds and runs better. I kicked a can of screws by mistake, losing the order of reassembly. Lots of different sized screws in separate cans but still a difficult assembly.

Also replaced the broken throttle cable. 

Special tool to get intake screws out and in. 

gasket leak at bottom.