C-165 Solid Motor Mounts

[JCM 9,130]

 Have any members bought and installed the solid mounts that were on a post a while back and if you did does the motor need to be removed or can it be unbolted and jacked up a little and do one at a time.     Thanks

[tunahead72 2,403]

Good question, I've been wondering about that myself... 

 

[Mickwhitt 4,584]

Hi, 

I have a C-125 that originally sat on four rubber mountings.

They were damaged and I could not find replacements.

Following advice from this site I made a set of aluminium solid mounts for my engine.

I fitted them with the engine in situ, jacking it and bolting each one in turn.

It was a bit fiddly to line them up with the angled threaded holes being particularly hard to deal with.

But I managed and everything is fine, the engine performing very well on it's new mounts.

Have a good look at how your mounts are fitted and think through the steps you will need to take before you begin. Should be a fairly simple swap.

Mick 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,490]

[Tuneup 1,433]

Tell you what, JCM, we can pull the trigger on this at the same time and get them installed. I'm tired of watching my 301 dance around in the 125 and I need to hammer on something other than a house for a change. Garage therapy. Mick - I'll try it your way.

[JCM 9,130]

@Tuneup    I have recently replaced many maintenance parts and a throttle shaft bushing, can't take credit for that @ebinmaine gets a big thank you for that one along with a nice plug wire, but cannot stand the shaking going on especially when running with the hood open and when closed a little rubber strip with some foam to keep the hood quiet. Had enough and when time permits solid mounts I think are in order.   

[Tuneup 1,433]

Well, pulled that trigger. The wife didn't even roll her eyes. Probably just happy that it didn't come with a press, lathe or other fun tool for tinkering.

 

It's 40° and windy down here in north Georgia. You Maine guys send this? My bermuda grass is going to go dormant in May!

[SylvanLakeWH 25,490]

Do you have a source? Someone on this site selling them?

[Tuneup 1,433]

I just recall a post from some time ago that pointed to this lad: https://www.zkbrmachine.com/

 

Really the first time I've gone off list for a purchase so...

[pfrederi 17,663]

Another alternative...Cheaper...

 

Spacers were from a 8 hp isolation mount, couple of washers.  Depending on your frame you may have to drill 2 holes or maybe not.

 

 

[JCM 9,130]

@Tuneup     That is who makes them or did, hopefully he still has some. Right now busy with many other projects . Keep us updated with your install. Thanks  

[81blackhood 168]

Zack Kerber mounts

[Tuneup 1,433]

Very nice, thanks! He readily took my money so I'm thinking he can dust off a set and forward them along.

[Tuneup 1,433]

Well, I received a quick reply from Zack to say that they had a run on them and he had no stock so it wasn't a matter of a dusting off. He committed to firing up the program in mid-week for me. On Wednesday, he wrote again to say they were in the mail. I commented that they were probably packaged warm from the machine. He confirmed this. Really good communication. Personal message like he was a buddy that had a CNC machine and I brought the beer.

 

They arrived yesterday afternoon - wonderful quality. Well, it is a CNC machined part. It had better be perfect. The mounting holes are tapped so no need for the nuts anymore and, of course, the large washers aren't required either. The grounding wire also not necessary but I kept it anyway.

 

So, I decided to tackle it this morning. I guess you can say that the rubber mounts give you some flexibility in getting the main bolts installed. Not with solid aluminum. I got the original mounts out in about 20 minutes with the help of a screwdriver used as a crow bar. I had the mule loosened but was able to keep the main belt attached - without engaging the clutch for slack. Threaded the bolts and tightened them - a mistake. I had assumed that the mains would thread easily - was able to shift the engine to get two of them in without too much effort. The rears. Needed the room to futz with the fronts so saved them for last - a good thing.The third went after loosening the rear frame mount and all the mounts' screws. Number four required a beer for thought but, hey, it's Sunday, and there was a preacher shouting on TV. I took a 30 minute break.

 

In the end, the only way to get it to align was to remove the mount screws on the front and lever the engine above the mounts themselves. That allowed the mount float and #4 started. It was easy then to align the mounts to the cradle holes and tighten. All told, about 90 minutes for this C-125.

 

Impressions? That bad shaker point just above idle is gone. It had been bad enough to rattle the hood. There is little felt vibration - less than my old C-120. The hood's side panels vibrate now - never used to. The blades engage smoothly - no adjustment was needed. I am VERY happy with this upgrade.

[Mirage276 9]

I've had the tab open on the computer for these for going on 6 months now lol! Sounds like I need to go ahead and order up a set of them.  Thanks for the little write up too.

[Tuneup 1,433]

Sure. Here it is Friday and I could mow the lawn and enjoy the tractor but it poured for 10 minutes. I won't subject a deck to wet grass. Maybe this afternoon! Well, plenty of non-Wheel Horse things to do. That could be good...or bad.

 

 

 

 

Edited May 22, 2020 by Tuneup

[ebinmaine 67,267]

8 hours ago, Tuneup said:

non-Wheel Horse things

Doesn't even make sense ....

 

 

[Tuneup 1,433]

Ha - understood - well, I gues it's a matter of 'related to Wheel Horse' but not directly Wheel Horse. I am building a shed where they will go. I'm hydroseeding the yard soon where they will showcase their mowing and cuts. I also have a loving wife who's not really into things Wheel Horse. That leaves them all for me but honeydos never include Wheel Horse things. Y'all who share the addiction with your spouses - hats off! I will switch the deck to the old ratty C-120 as it's the only one that climbs the 40° grade in the back yard and the weeds need their mowing today.