1990 Craftsman 917.254450 (RED) 2020 update

[larrybl]

Well the Craftsman Pro has 23 X 10.50 X 12 and I am putting new 23 X 9.50 X 12's on him. They are 1" wider but should fit fine. The old 23 X 10.50 X 12's will go on RED. I think I found the leak (a bad plug seal). I replaced it and will check in the morning before swapping the tires. Man even with the sun down I am sweating just with this little work.

 

[larrybl]

Set up the work area in the shade.The tires held their shape but I still had to use a strap to get one to seat. Bead breaker, Lots of soapy water and a tire iron and two large screwdrivers worked fine. Upgrading from 2 ply to 4 ply also. I know this is RED's refresh but I needed to swap the tires. Although done in the shade and before 9:00am I still went through three bottles of water and two cups of coffee. New shoes are on the Craftsman Pro, RED's will be mounted in the shop with the A/C on.

 

[larrybl]

Gator wrestling wasn't much better in the shop. I forgot how hard it was to mount tires with the rims still attached to the mower. Didn't help that I lost a pry tool and had to un-mount the tire to recover it. Hard part is done (tire swap). Taking a break before I get the tin's installed.

 

[larrybl]

Getting there, hard to beleave I started this over four Months ago.

 

[larrybl]

Done for the evening. All that is left to do is.
1 Move outside and run to break in the new rings and check for leaks.
2. Put the "sharpened" blades on the deck and install the deck.
3. A Good Wash.
4. Decide where to put him, May post for sale.

 

[larrybl]

Thanks all, I was able to ride RED around some to seat the rings after I put the original drag link back on. The modified one didn't work. The drive belt is too tight not allowing me to shift gears, It will de-clutch and stop, but I have to shut it off to change gears. I may see if I have a smaller clutch pulley, it just needs a small adjustment. I also cleaned them up, and straightened up the shop some.
Here is RED running, no oil leaks or smoke,

 

[larrybl]

I changed up from the shop re-arranging to do something different today. Well, last June was when I worked on RED. I did find a smaller idler pulley but haven't tested it. Now that I have some room I put the blades back on his Deck (So I wouldn't loose track of them or the bolts).

 

[larrybl]

Spare parts for RED. I had a spare engine (422437 1209 01) sitting around, I did try and get it running a couple years ago but the starter was bad. I decided to tear it down and see if anything was worth keeping. Everything lookd great except for the block and one head. Now to store the parts.
If anyone needs something from this PM me.

 

[larrybl]

And Finally, A test run. I am pleased to report the clutch is tight but smooth with the smaller idler pulley, and the steering never felt better. Got a little over an hour of clover mowing, pretty good test and got the rings broke in.