New 6012.5

[stumpy 0]

Geez....that was pretty painless. going from this:

The 8 and 12.5 horse cranks were identical, so the stack pulley fit was no problemo. Muffler wouldn't fit dimensions-wise, but I had a new generic Briggs can and some pipe along with a couple of conduit locks on the shelf....stuffed some steel wool in 'er to quiet things some though.

I fabricated a little linkage extension so the choke would engage off the throttle cam on the new engine just like the original. It'll need a kit sometime...but at least the kit I'd just put in the old 8 horse didn't go to waste...my boys drive our Homesteader-8 and it's been acting up...took the new jets, float, etc. and put 'em in the H-8 and it's all happy now. So...after an hour or so things are now more colorful under the hood....

Ran great, tilled great, although I have a tired old green belt on as a driver and it's about done for...if the tiller finds a real tough spot everything bogs down and the main belt slips...but even with that issue the extra power is easy to recognize. One thing to add. I'd noticed the 12.5 smoking a bit in the mtd pre-transplant. It had a dipstick-fill-extension, but the bottom rubber seal was a bit worn and seeping some. Pulled it and just stuck an old-style threaded plug in for now. Whadaya know...no more smoke...I remembered someone mentioning those bottom filler seals and if they're not up to snuff the crankcase ventilation won't be right and she'll blow smoke. It was a long time ago...can't remember who it was, but thanks amigo. All I have to do now is figure out how to fit "6012.5" in the "6008" space.... 'Course, now I have no excuse to not till in the two truck loads of horse apples that we dumped out on the garden spot today....and turkey huntin' starts tomorrow...it figures.

[Willy 2]

Looks like a nice repower. I have one of those smokers,I'll have to ck the seal.

[ZippoVarga 75]

Skot71 is looking to do the same repower on an older 708. This is the perfect post to help out!!

[goatfarmer 817]

Looks factory, Bob. Nice job!

[4xbill 2]

Nice Job! That is a pretty easy swap. As long as the original drive pulley wants to come off the old engine.:D}:)

[stumpy 0]

Thanks for the kind words....it was purty doggone easy though...in fact about as easy as it gets. The stack pulleys came right off both engines. And that is the one issue to be careful of. A lot of the engines that I've seen lounging about backroom shelves have a "stepped" crankshaft....particularly (or so I've been told) those originating in or intended for the multi-brand MTD applications. Most appear to be 12.5 hp, a few larger. Not a huge problem, but if the stacked pulleys won't swap like mine you'll be doing a little hacking or fab work. I expected mine to be steeped and was happy enough that it matched the original engine. One other reminder...something I've learned from a few friends who insist on buying the type of junk this engine came out of every three years or so... If you are going to install a used 12.5 or similar I/C engine in your Simpletractor, don't just clean the fins and check the head torque. Be sure to check the torque on the lower crankcase cover bolts too (between 160 and 200 INCH pounds, I believe). They have a nasty habit of backing out and the engine pukes oil everywhere just before it hammers itself to oblivion. I mentioned this to a shop awhile back...they'd just done a $200 once-through on my bud's mtd-built mower. Five hours later kablooey! I looked and all but TWO of those bolts where loose and resting their inverted little heads on the tractor frame. The shop owner fixed things for the price of parts after I casually mentioned that if he KNEW about this problem with that particular engine type, then WHY didn't his techs check those bolts as part of the rather expensive pre-season tune-up and maintenance package? At least his business is reputable enough to immediately offer to fix things at cost. Save yourselves the gut-twisting sound of an aluminum engine heading south and check those bolts! Reckon I'll get a new green belt for the 6012.5 tomorrow...until I get around to ordering an oem Simple belt (#165048). I think it should be a NAPA 4L850W ... I'm assuming that's an 85-incher. I have to do some tilling and the slippage is getting tiresome. Other than that the only issue the new engine has is a small oil seep from the breather cover....always sumptin'. adios

[skot71 0]

Thanks for the heads-up Sean! I printed this'n out.

[AGCO918 0]

You did a nice job on that.Your hard work should pay off for you now that your transplant is done.Thanks for the pictures.

[Tacey 0]

Another Simple trACtor saved. Nice job, stumpy! Tacey