Quote Originally Posted by RedHeartbeat View Post
Check the starter first then next time it dead locks up on you, pull the plugs out and see if you get coolant or gas out of the spark plug hole when you crank it. I'm sure you're hydraulic locking which can lead to bent connecting rods if you have too strong of a starter. It can be the carburator draining all the fuel into the engine once its shut off or its water seeping into the cylinder through a head gasket or crank in a cylinder wall. Are you losing water?
If I'm remembering correctly, the starter is brand-new. There was a fluke with the last one and ended up bending the starter shaft.

The coolant level was low. The more I think about it, a head gasket sounds plausible.

I'll get a chance Thursday to crank it with the spark plugs out... I'll update with any crazy details.