chiefM 31 #1 Posted December 18, 2017 Hello everyone! I am new to the forum and this is my first post. My father passed away in November and he left me a 552 which I picked up over the weekend. To me is seems to be 99.9 percent all original. I know he was having carburetor problems with it and I found it disassembled and in a box on his work table. I guess my first question is where can I get a rebuild kit for it? I did not take any pictures of it yet to post because it was raining in Georgia on Sunday, but I will. I will probibly never mow grass with it but I would like to get it running again. Thank in advance !! Stephen 3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,753 #3 Posted December 18, 2017 (edited) Sorry to hear of your loss, but happy to know that you will be showing his some love. These manuals will come in handy. As for a kit you may be able to find one on line, your engine is a Tecumseh HT55C-3089. There are some members here who have a lot of experiance with this make engine, but I am not one of them. Edited December 18, 2017 by 953 nut 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeacemakerJack 10,738 #4 Posted December 18, 2017 glad you found us. I’m sorry for your loss. A little tractor like that can be a great memorial to a lost loved one, especially if you have memories with them that involve the machine. You will find the help here you need to get it back running and in tip top shape. I definitely can’t wait to see current pics, as well as any older ones, that you may have of it. 552’s are cool little machines... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,633 #5 Posted December 18, 2017 (edited) to the Stephen. Try Jacks link below. https://www.jackssmallengines.com/Products/TECUMSEH/Carburetors-And-Parts-4-Cycle/s?msclkid=3a33fa8d75311f71bd98a0bab1cb5487 Edited December 18, 2017 by Ed Kennell 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 17,079 #6 Posted December 18, 2017 As far as the carb goes, IMO it's much easier to just buy a complete new carb off ebay. I don't even clean them anymore because changing them for $10 is quicker easier. Buy 2 and be ready for when they gum up from the crappy gas. Those carbs seem to be the worst for easily getting gummed up with deposits. Search ebay for H60 carb. Just look at the choke control to compare it to your carb, bolt it on and go. May need minor adjustment but that's easy to do. 6 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slim67 2,735 #7 Posted December 18, 2017 16 minutes ago, wallfish said: As far as the carb goes, IMO it's much easier to just buy a complete new carb off ebay. I don't even clean them anymore because changing them for $10 is quicker easier. Buy 2 and be ready for when they gum up from the crappy gas. Those carbs seem to be the worst for easily getting gummed up with deposits. Search ebay for H60 carb. Just look at the choke control to compare it to your carb, bolt it on and go. May need minor adjustment but that's easy to do. Is that all those cost? Times must be changing. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 17,079 #8 Posted December 18, 2017 1 minute ago, slim67 said: Is that all those cost? Times must be changing. Yup. The Chinese don't pay royalties or patent infringement law suits, labor is cheap and for some reason it is cheaper to ship crap from China than it is to send something across town. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,633 #9 Posted December 18, 2017 (edited) Yep, $9.99 on the rain forest site w/ free shipping. Edited December 18, 2017 by Ed Kennell 1 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JPWH 6,092 #10 Posted December 18, 2017 Sorry about your loss. Good to see another Georgian here. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,134 #11 Posted December 18, 2017 A few words of caution about those cheap Ebay carbs... first thing first, is to make sure you're buying from a reputable US based supplier. Second, even though it's brand new...the quality control can still be an issue with these "plug&play" carbs. I've found a couple of 'em run the exact same way the original did... dropped the bowl & found it contained metal particulates obviously left over from the manufacturing process. Not just the Tecumseh carbs too, found this on a replacement Kohler carb I paid upwards of $50 for. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,750 #12 Posted December 18, 2017 Looking forward to some pics. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,918 #13 Posted December 18, 2017 Sorry for your loss... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slim67 2,735 #14 Posted December 18, 2017 6 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: Yep, $9.99 on the rain forest site w/ free shipping. Thanks for that information. I never thought they would be that cheap. i hate to say it but you cant beat online shopping these days. There is no way I could see my local guy selling a carb that cheap. 7 hours ago, wallfish said: Yup. The Chinese don't pay royalties or patent infringement law suits, labor is cheap and for some reason it is cheaper to ship crap from China than it is to send something across town. There was an old joke punchline that goes " me chinese, me make joke, me make weewee in your coke" .I think that is now reality as opposed to humor. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 17,079 #15 Posted December 18, 2017 Just don't buy that carb pictured for a tractor H60, H55. It should look more like this 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chiefM 31 #16 Posted December 18, 2017 Thanks everyone, It was quite a shock. Thanks for all the great info too! I will try and snap a few pics and post them tomorrow when I get home from work, have to do it as soon as I get home or it will be dark. Hi Jay! Nice to have a fellow Georgian on here. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,474 #17 Posted December 19, 2017 This is a great place for all your concerns. The know how is just unbelievable and freely available. Ask and you shall receive 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tuneup 1,433 #18 Posted December 19, 2017 Yes, Welcome!!! Also another Georgian here, and I hope you were able to get clear of the snow last week. We might want to start converting our mowers to throwers. I'm out in south Paulding so SE of you. Wallfish has it right - that pic is a perfect example of a techy carb - exactly like the one on my old 6 HP minibike in the teen years long ago. I had my dad for 16 years - wish he had seen that I was handy - he couldn't replace a door knob and didn't think I could either but the few tools he had always ended up near me and some project - a wonderful dad. Sorry for your loss and I trust that you value your time with him greatly. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chiefM 31 #19 Posted December 20, 2017 Thanks everyone, getting a little easier. Hey Tuneup I know where you are located, I work at Yancey Bros in Austell. I took off work at lunch when it looked like the weather people under forecast the amount of snow. I got about 10 inches at my house. Here is a picture of our H2 hummer. Pictures will have to wait on the 552, working over time all week. I'm not adding a snow blower, I'd move further SOUTH! 2 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JPWH 6,092 #20 Posted December 20, 2017 lol. They claimed the storm overperformed! Our office is in Morrow and they sent everyone home at noon. I hope you didn't get stuck In traffic too long. We have one job in downtown Atlanta it took them an hour and a half to go from 14th st to the Varsity. Normally about 5 min. trip. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 63,090 #21 Posted December 21, 2017 Welcome to the site @chiefM! My 502 is my favorite machine, I'm sure the 552 will surprise you with all it's potential! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeacemakerJack 10,738 #22 Posted December 21, 2017 (edited) It is always scary when they get a lot of snow south of the Mason/Dixon line! Up here in the “Frozen Chosen” we are used to dealing with it and prepared for the most part, I’ve been south when they get hit and it usually isn’t a good situation! That’s a lot of snow for your “neck of the woods” for sure! You don’t need a blower but a blade would be a good addition cause you can use that for dirt and gravel placement as well! Edited December 21, 2017 by PeacemakerJack 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chiefM 31 #23 Posted December 21, 2017 I have a 1953 Ford Golden Jubilee with a blade and bush hog I use around my property. Not sure what I will do with the 552 yet other than get it running again. Is a survivor worth more? Our would it be OK to restore it? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeacemakerJack 10,738 #24 Posted December 21, 2017 Just now, chiefM said: Not sure what I will do with the 552 yet other than get it running again. Is a survivor worth more? Our would it be OK to restore it? It sounds like it will be a purpose driven tribute tractor to dad. IMHO it’s future is up to how you best feel that it will be a tribute to him. There is monetary value to the 552 but it isn’t a great amount like say a 1971 Hemi ‘Cuda convertible. I feel the greatest value of that tractor is the history that it has with your dad and family. To me it’s sentimental value is of the greatest importance. So—-that being said, if you feel that it best connects you to him to keep it original, do that. If you feel that a restored tractor better honors him, do that. still lookong forward to those pics! 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,151 #25 Posted December 21, 2017 17 minutes ago, chiefM said: Not sure what I will do with the 552 Handy for pulling a yard tub or just to hop on and go for a joy ride! 18 minutes ago, chiefM said: be OK to restore it? I am with the keep it orginal but keep it in good mechanical shape crowd now but its yours so do what you feel is best for yourself. 3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
