Low on tar

[Brettw 1,130]

Never ceases to amaze me. I got a Coronet rear engine rider this weekend for free. Blown engine, guy just wanted to get it out of his garage. Anyway, in the process of pulling the engine, the easiest way to access the clutch and pulleys is to stand it on its end. Tod do this it is a good idea to drain the fluids first. So I did. Not to hard to figure out why it ate a rod. What little tar did come out of the crankcase wouldn't have filled a couple of shot glasses.

Nice rider, overall very good condition, and just plain old neglect and carelessness caused its death. Rebuild kit is on order, I'll have it back together and one of the kids will use it.

[steve-wis 637]

My experience has been that these guys, after ruining a machine or engine because of their neglect, will tell anyone who will listen what a huge pile of junk the thing was. Had a guy give me a toro self propelled mower that he said was junk, wouldn't start very good and not at all when hot. He had a "friend" put a new coil on it. I checked it out and it took two things to fix it. First, adjust the OHV valve clearances, and then replace the completely shredded primer bulb that was letting it suck air like crazy. Oh yeah, and when it started it ran way overspeed because the "friend" had apparently adjusted the governor as well.

Hard to figure these guys out!

[dentwizz 6]

I got a toro personal pace commercial(the aluminum one) for free because it 'was dead'. Sniffed the water in the tank, put some fresh in and it drove itself on the trailer.

[toomanytractors 0]

My favorite is is "creative wiring" instead of fixing the problem right.

[Brettw 1,130]

Yeah, creative wiring and other band aid and bubble gum fixes. Anyway thought the engine, although grenaded, was actually pretty good and I couldn't see any damage from the bad rod. So I did order the rebuild kit. Did the hone of the cylinder (well within standard specs), and then proceeded to do the deep clean afterwards. In the process I noticed a little something: cam shaft is bent. So now I know where all of the energy from the broken rod went. So now to find a camshaft.

A lot a goofin' around for an eight horse vertical! But it will be a good littel rider when done.

[rich_kildow 269]

I love finding stuff like that. I bought a JD commercial 48" walk behind mower last winter for $100 off of Facebook, completely on a whim and with about 30 seconds of thought. I played with it for a few minutes this last spring and found one a ground wire disconnected...it then fired right up. New gas, cleaned the carb, and an hour washing it up and I sold it for $800.