Pullstart 62,834 #1 Posted March 31, 2020 How dare me, I never really started a thread on Steve! September 5 2019, I picked up a C-145 for Jim Parsons. I felt like I was on American Pickers. The C broke the ice. Then he was in a selling mood. He had another couple red tractors out back. One needs rings. He thought it was worth a mint because he overpaid for it. I didn’t feel like spending money and gave him a slap in the face offer... take it or leave it. I don’t need another tractor type of attitude. He asked for another $50, gave me a Pepsi to mull over the 50 upcharge and I thanked him for the refreshments and started to load up what I came for. He finally settled for my offer and tossed in the Montgomery Wards furrow plow too. If it weren’t for the 1-1/8” axles, sweet tires and 8 speeds, I’d have walked away without an offer. But everyone’s got a price I suppose. Both tractors came with pretty nice RD mowers and everyone was happy. 3 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,834 #2 Posted March 31, 2020 October 23, I figured I’d toss a battery and some fuel in Steve. Lots of smoke, no power when you engage the mower deck. It stalls right out... barely any compression. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,834 #3 Posted March 31, 2020 November 1, Steve gets out on the top shelf for storage. He stays there until just last weekend when I figured out he might just be the best candidate for this sickle bar project I’m working on. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,834 #4 Posted March 31, 2020 We’re now up to date and I’m giving Steve a little re-ring refresh. 7 years ago I put together my first Kohler and strayed away from all advice to have the crank turned since the original rod was knocking bad. I got a couple hours’ run time out of that little engine before it started knocking something terrible again. Since then, I’ve used that head for a project, the recoil for another, fuel pump for Putt Putt, etc. last night I popped the piston out and plan to check bore of Steve, check end gaps of the slightly used rings, hone the cylinder then reassemble if things are within spec. 4 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZXT 2,401 #5 Posted March 31, 2020 Steve is a good looking little tractor! Assuming the paint and all is original, I'd have to say that it was pretty well taken care of. Do you have a fresh crank for the engine you're going to put on it or steal the bottom end out of the one on it currently? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,525 #6 Posted March 31, 2020 With that sickle bar out front you may need to do a legal name change to “Max”... looking very good and mad... 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,834 #7 Posted March 31, 2020 Jonah I plan to re-use the crank that was in it. It was just burning oil, ran smooth and no knocking. I pulled a piston and rings out of the old (poor) rebuild and plan to use those parts. So far, my cylinder is round within .003” in all directions. Maximum ring end gap is .023” 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,834 #8 Posted March 31, 2020 41 minutes ago, ZXT said: Steve is a good looking little tractor! Assuming the paint and all is original, I'd have to say that it was pretty well taken care of. Do you have a fresh crank for the engine you're going to put on it or steal the bottom end out of the one on it currently? Also, there are runs on the hood and belt guard and signs of new paint around the vinyl in spots. I might feed the paint with some WD40, might wet sand, might leave it be. @8ntruck‘s story of EJ Potter the Michigan Mad Man inspires me to leave it be. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,834 #9 Posted March 31, 2020 Hone, rering and assembly is mostly complete. I’ll wet sand the head for flatness and the new head gasket is due to the parts store in the morning. I’ll throw some new fuel line on Steve too, I found some cracking along the way. 7 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tractorhead 9,064 #10 Posted March 31, 2020 Sounds you‘ll find while the rework still several other issues, that may also possible causes the weak Power. 👍 i bet you will get a surprising result after finish that Work. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,714 #12 Posted March 31, 2020 I'm never going to get used to you guys naming horses. C-81 looks good Kevin. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,314 #13 Posted March 31, 2020 Now is the time to pull the valves to inspect and de-carbon them. If all looks good, lap and clean them and reinstall. Then check the gap on each - address them as needed. Then you know that they are not part of the problem. Time well spent …... Bill 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,834 #14 Posted March 31, 2020 2 hours ago, ri702bill said: Now is the time to pull the valves to inspect and de-carbon them. If all looks good, lap and clean them and reinstall. Then check the gap on each - address them as needed. Then you know that they are not part of the problem. Time well spent …... Bill Thanks Bill! I’ve been researching valve guides all day, I think the intake is a bit sloppy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,834 #15 Posted April 1, 2020 I yanked the 753 carcass down from the rack and plan to swap that K-161 onto Steve, along with PTO, flywheel and starter/tins. Then I’ll get the K-181 freshened up good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,336 #16 Posted April 1, 2020 Sloppiness in the valves might mean just replace the valves. Valve guides are probably OK. But I would still have the seats ground 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,314 #17 Posted April 2, 2020 Kevin: Looks familiar - I have Steve's relative here with me - a 1979 C81. Using it to tow and anchor the 1984 Yard Way Chipper. Scored this one with a toasted motor and a complete similar donor for $200 about 5 years ago. Bill 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ohiofarmer 3,265 #18 Posted April 2, 2020 I bought an electro 12 a few years back and it smoked. The price I paid had that built in, so it slumbers in the shop. I pulled the head the other day and it seems very round and tight. I am thinking that I need to look at the valves first and then maybe a ring job. I can at least do a preliminary check by comparing the tightest diameter of the cylinder and then see with a feeler gauge how much larger it measures at the largest. Seat of the pants evaluation is that piston is pretty tight in the bore . I also have a cast iron 14 that runs smoky and that bore is well worn and out of round.The tractor that it came from is really an original beauty in its original paint that is nice for its age That engine is really worn as I am guessing the piston can be moved nearly a sixteenth of an inch 90 degrees from the wrist pin axis. These old girls want to start and run, but no reason to run them into the ground. Until I can get this retirement thing down I am gonna run the workers and finish up the open projects. Good luck with your project, Pullstart 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,834 #20 Posted April 2, 2020 The K-161 is stripped down and cleaned up 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,834 #21 Posted April 2, 2020 (edited) Side plates swapped with the stator... Edited April 2, 2020 by pullstart 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tractorhead 9,064 #22 Posted April 2, 2020 Time for a new Cherrybomb 😂 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,834 #23 Posted April 2, 2020 Quarantine pulley pulled extensions are working 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,834 #24 Posted April 3, 2020 Steve’s running really well! No smoke! Tomorrow I’ll get it running warm, then give it an oil change. 3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
