232 replies to this topic

[larrybl]

I purchased this LT back in May of 2009 for $100.00. I restored it in aprox five Months and called him RED. Red has been the main mower for 2-1/2 now 3 acres for the last three years. I orginally was just going to clean up the deck and check the steering, but after finishing the deck http://gardentractor...__gopid__241324

I felt it would look funny if I didn't touch up Reds paint. I also found some issues with some oil leaks that I will correct. So, for the next couple months I'll be posting Red's progress here. The main goal is to have Red looking and running as good as he always has, and maybe a trip to the local Sears store for a show. Then back to mowing duties.

Here is what I found so far.

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[KennyP]

At least the steering was well lubed. I'm trying to figure where the oil in pic 3 came from, also pic 6. Don't have a vertical shaft engine, so I'm kinda lost at what's what here. Do you think it all came from the bottom crank seal?

[Cat385B]

Dry year down there, Larry?

Good luck with the re-fresh!

[Moosetales]

Based on pic #3, that hole in your work bench tells me this isn't your first "rodeo". My dad has a Craftsman and is on his 3rd motor.....thanks to a warranty plan he's not had to pay for any of them. I'll bet he'd love to have you as a neighbor to help him through his trials. Best to you.

[larrybl]

Kenny, I suspected an oil leak eariler this year, I figure the oil pan gasket, will replace the lower seal also.
Yes, another Dry year, can't remember the last time we had a good rain.
Moose, Yes I've done this several times. Built a jig to mount vert engines on and a test rig to fire them up on the bench.
I decided to do this this year as I don't have a new project, and I really like how they look and run after I finish them.

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Edited by larrybl, December 02, 2012 - 08:05 PM.

[MH81]

I'm sure Red will love the refresh. If you take the time to give them love, they wont let you down when you need them.

[larrybl]

Forgot I moved this here. Weekend update. I ordered the Deck parts, from Sears, $82.32, and the Engine gaskets and a Starter kit from Briggs $92.55. I also picked up about $22.00 of paint. Started breaking the engine down to fix the oil leaks. The valve pans seepage looks normal, but I will be removeing those also, as I want to change the block color to black. The silver heald up well over 3 years of use. Flywheel came off easily, and all the parts look good except for the starter gear, I thought of just flipping it over, but after closer exmination it wobbled pretty good on the nylon shaft, so I am replaceing the shaft, spring and gear. I ordered a complete engine gasket set, as I will need most of them, and I plan to de-carbon the heads also.
Stay Tuned.

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[KennyP]

Sounds like you are ready to really get this refurb going!

[mjodrey]

Looks like you are doing quite the job on it.

[MH81]

Looks like a little dust to clean.

In the rebuild kit, were there rings or was the compression still good?

[larrybl]

No, I didn't order rings, still has good compression, and no smoke. This was last years tune up (almost to the day). You can really hear the dry deck pullies, those along with the oil seepege prompted the $200 refresh.

[larrybl]

I sealed up the engine and given it a general cleaning to make it easier to replace the gaskets when they arrive. I plan on changing the "silver" block color to gloss black to match the other B/S I have, and it dosn't show the dirt as well. (might keep me from tearing it down again in another three years). I also plan on painting all the tins red. I also removed the rest of the body panels, and plan on a good pressure wash of the frame next weekend.

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[KennyP]

Looks good all cleaned up. The black will hide a lot of the seepage.

[larrybl]

Looks good all cleaned up. The black will hide a lot of the seepage.

I don't plan to have any seepage after spending 90+ on gaskets

[MH81]

Looks good.
You said the other one is gloss black... What paint did you use and how's it holding up?