RED's 2018 Winter refresh - 1990 917.254450 Craftsman

[larrybl]

Started on RED’s 2018 Winter Re-Fresh. First up to remove the deck and move out of the way. Same for the hood. Thinking on installing the spare engine I bought a few years ago. Never started it up. Will need to change the alternator to the single wire one. Removed fender pan and foot rests. Drained 2 gallons of gas. A tire valve cap works well to seal the gas pump. Helper showed up for a while and helped remove the gas tank. Got the shop vac out and vacuumed the top of the tranny, I need access to the yellow plug to add “00” Grease later on. Next was the battery, still in good shape. Have to remove the air cleaner housing to disconnect linkages.

 

[larrybl]

Moved underneath to disconnect more items. Engine removed, I need to pressure wash this tomorrow. Stopping point tonight.

 

[dodge trucker]

whats wrong with the engine that is (or was originally) on it?

 

[larrybl]

Nothing. I want to test the spare. It was bought sight un seen and never fired up. Could be interesting.

 

[larrybl]

Cleaning up the steering area well as to evaluate it. the nylon T was a couple years ago, and there is very little slop still. I just finished a once over with the pressure washer, going to hit it again, then close the shop up and turn the heat on till it drys. In the 40's here today.

 

[UncleWillie]

Looks like fun

 

[Kster526]

Off to a great start for a Winter project

 

[larrybl]

Thanks! Started evaluating the spare engine. Spins free, clean / full oil, air filter in fair condition. Missing a couple muffler manifold bolts, and gaskets, but the muffler is in good shape and the frame will accept it. Carb looks OK. Will het some hi-temp paint for the muffler, it has held up well on RED's original engine. No Red paint left, but I have some black, so this will be black. Now for the kicker. No sooner that I started this project the electric shop A/C - Heater crapped out. Started making a weird noise like something was clogged, no venting to the outside, and when I cut it off there was a lot of rattling. Still have the propane so not a real concern, but I need to look into this also.

 

[larrybl]

I un-plugged the A/C - heater and reset it. seems to be working OK now. I;ll keep an eye on it. 5 years old.

 

[UncleWillie]

You need heat in Texas what, 3 days a year? LOL

 

[larrybl]

Finally got some things I needed to start the re-fresh. Some Hi-Temp paint for the muffler, dug out some gaskets for the header pipes, and some new "matched" screws. New air filter, plugs, and gas filter. Started adding the "00" grease tonight. I figure 2-3 funnel fulls should do it.
Priced some rear tires at T/S, $99.00 ea. I think Miller has the 4 ply 23 X 9.50 X 12 for around $45. Still need a new drive belt and evaluate the deck.

 

[UncleWillie]

SO how long does a funnel full take to go down?

 

[larrybl]

I'll let you know tomorrow.

 

[larrybl]

So... after 2 hours I was able to get 1 - 1/2 funnel full in there. Had to tilt the tractor and use a screwdriver to poke some. I'll leave this till in the morning and cap it off. I think there was a lot of grease still in there. You can see how thick this in on the screw driver.

 

[Toomanytoys84]

Need to pick yourself up a rose gun. Works great for shooting heavy oil in.

Although a good search I cant find a rose gun. Being something we use at the mine it's hard to tell what the real name is...had a handle on the back and the other end is open. You stick it down in the oil and pull the plunger back and it fills up the gun. Then stick it in the fill hole and push the plunger in to shoot the oil out. Works great for thick oils that are almost grease.

 

[larrybl]

My method works fine, no hurry, and working on the third and final funnel full now. I think there was a clog and sticking the screwdriver in there cleared it. I'll start on the engine tomorrow.

 

[larrybl]

Hit my first snag with the spare engine this morning. I know why there was an exhaust bolt missing. Unfortunally my Son isn't around so I had to tackle this on the floor. Cardboard is great to insulate the cold concrete, and coffee near by. After trying to re-thread for 3/8 I ended up tapping it to take a 1/2" bolt. Yea I know it isn't straight but it is tight and the muffler is installed.

 

[larrybl]

Mounted the engine, but I'll have to remove it to drill and tap a 1/4" tin screw that broke off on the bottom of the R Cylinder unless someone knows of a 90* drill adapter. Needed to go in to it to change the alternator out. loosened the coil and moved it back, then POP goes the weasel. Good thing I did with all the dobber nests in there. Magnets and starter looks good.

 

[KennyP]

Dobber's get into the smallest places!

 

[larrybl]

Decided to fix as I go, so I needed to address the broken 1/4 Tin screw. No luck with the 90* Drill setups so I had to un-bolt the engine and tilt it some so I could get to the screw. After two broke drill bits and a smoked led flash light (yes it smoked after being dropped too many times) the ear tab in the hole broke off and the broke screw fell out. If I use a longer screw there are enough threads there to hold it on. I have a couple others like this.