Adventures in Lawn Mowing

sheepherder · 09-04-2016, 02:06 PM

(A little bit of Labor day holiday humor)

Members might recall a 'humorous' thread I posted back in July 2012 with this short video of my IH Cadet Cub/Kohler 7hp lawn mower engine...I asked "What is wrong with this picture???"...

http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...t=100_5955.mp4

I had been mowing my lawn when the engine suddenly started making a clanking noise and then died...

This was the damage...

Broke right at the oil ring groove.

I tried to fit a new piston, but the bore was too worn...It only ran long enough to let me finish that days mowing...

********************************************************************

Fast forward to September 2016...

I was able to find a short block engine on eBay and replaced the entire engine with new gaskets. That engine didn't last long either, no power, so another engine from eBay was procured...that one lasted me up until two days ago...When it started losing power and would not cut grass without stalling out the engine. I could feel 'blowby' coming from the front of the head gasket, so I pulled the head and found this...

Understand, this is a 51 year old lawn mower [made in 1965, while I was still in 10th grade] that is on its fourth used engine. It actually still ran with this blown gasket and I drove it about 200 feet to my back porch to work on it.

I've lapped the aluminum head flat & smooth now, and de-coked the barrel, so when I get a new head gasket Tuesday I should be good to go.

(Every year, I keep telling myself, "If it doesn't run this year, I'll buy a new mower"...But it keeps on runnin'...)

Just wanted to let you guys know that they built them tough in the old days...Not like today's disposable lawn mowers.

sheepherder · 09-04-2016, 02:39 PM

Does that video show up??? PhotoBucket shows it as an .MP4 file but I have it as an .AVI...

I can't bring it up here either; it keeps showing my .357/.44 wildcat cartridge conversion .JPG's...

It's 3.6MB so I can't upload it here, but I thought it was hysterically funny...Pocketa pocketa pocketa...

DonVoigt · 09-04-2016, 02:49 PM

I'd recommend checking the oil occasionally and re-torque the head gasket after a few hours!

You should get another 30 years out of it!

sheepherder · 09-04-2016, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

I'd recommend checking the oil occasionally and re-torque the head gasket after a few hours!

I check oil every time I mow. It usually takes a couple ounces.

I had thought of re-torquing after running...But do you re-torque cold or hot??? I can't find anything on torquing the head except the torque value itself...I have the service manual...

I bought a new head maybe 15 years ago. There was a new style; different fin placement; studs instead of two of the bolts. It gives torque values and sequence but that's about all.

Sonofeugene · 09-04-2016, 03:46 PM

Retorque cold.

sheepherder · 09-04-2016, 05:54 PM

I can't tell if that .MP4 video works or not; I tried to make an animated .GIF out of it, but the forum only allows 195kb .GIFs...

I know the forum allowed the .AVI I had on PB. I don't know which changed, PB or the forum, but the video no longer appears in the post...

Too bad, it was pretty funny...A member said it sounded just like their old ship engine...Pocketa pocketa pocketa...

Keep your eye on the piston...

Mac Cat · 09-04-2016, 08:47 PM

hole in the center ?

sheepherder · 09-04-2016, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac Cat

hole in the center ?

No - It's the same engine in the first two pics...I'm turning it over with the starter...The piston isn't moving...

Eugen · 09-04-2016, 09:05 PM

Uh, me thinks its time for a new mower.

sheepherder · 09-04-2016, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eugen

Uh, me thinks its time for a new mower.

Let me think...$8 for a new head gasket, or ~$2500 for a comparable new mower??? I'm gonna have to think on that...

This will be the last mow of the year. I average 4 mows per year. There was no Spring this year, and Summer only lasted from the second week of June until this weekend...I may not last until next June...

Back in 2012 I really wanted one of those zero-turn tiller-steer mowers...The Cadet Cub/John Deere mowers were too big, but I passed a nice little mower on the way home from work one day that was 'just right'...It was orange, I don't know what make that is, and because this mower of mine keeps starting I haven't started shopping...Yet...

MikeP · 09-09-2016, 01:42 AM

Messing with that old stuff will drive you nuts and waste your life.
Been doing it a long time.

Just traded for a John Deere 850.
Big relief.

John Sabato · 09-09-2016, 09:06 AM

Mike, some of old folks think that "messing with that old stuff" GIVES you life... especially if you have a passion for those old things. (Think Lugers!)... another example is my 1983 BMW R100 motorcycle with sidecar...

sheepherder · 09-09-2016, 11:10 AM

The mighty five horsepower, air cooled, gasoline fueled, side valve, single cylinder, four stroke, centrifugally governed, cast iron barreled, aluminum headed engine roared back to life!!!

And I was able to finish mowing my modest little lot, hopefully for the last time this year.

As stated, I used my 'product improved' cylinder head, sanded/lapped smooth and straight (over 1200 strokes on 220 grit wet-or-dry) and the 'new' style head gasket. I also switched from the stock seven head bolts (five bolts & two studs with the 'product improved' head) to seven studs and SAE flanged nuts w/stock [thick] washers (called "worshers" in some states)

and re-torqued after running for a short time.

I checked with the old timer who ran the Cadet Cub repair shop and after confirming I had the 'old style' 5hp Kohler engine, recommended torquing to spec and then running "for about an hour" and then letting it cool and re-torque it. The gas tank mounts right over the head so I had to jig-rig a 2x4 and bungee cords to hold the tank away from the head so I could see if it came loose or some other malfunction. I was surprised that the cooled head took about a half turn to each nut to re-torque.

So now it's done and we'll see next Spring if it starts and I mow again or buy a new mower. I'm sort of hoping it won't so I can buy one of the orange compact zero-turn tiller-steer mowers that my neighbors seem to have so much fun with.

Either that, or stuff a 4-cylinder 1974 Honda motorcycle engine in the Cadet and see how long that lasts.

MikeP · 09-09-2016, 04:41 PM

I have tinkered with old outdated stuff all my life.
I have gotten to the point here I hardly will turn a screw.
Too many busted knuckles and dealing with shops and others who have a hard time "getting it right."
That said, I am presently doing a frame up restoration of a 1965 Panhead with sidecar from my old age.
Here is another Panhead I rode and maintained for most of 35 years.

I got a 03 Roadglide which is pretty much maintenance free, but has no soul.

Mike B · 09-09-2016, 05:33 PM

Hey John,
How much your BMW? I think I need that in my life. How about a Party Leader PPK?

Mike

John Sabato · 09-09-2016, 10:12 PM

Mike if you are serious about the BMW I will let you know when I am satisfied with tuning the engine and balancing the two 40mm Bing carbs and We can talk about values and trades. ��

The bike is in amazing shape for its age. It was fun riding it 275 miles home from NY.

PM me if you want to know more.

rolandtg · 09-09-2016, 10:46 PM

That mower is awesome! I'd keep it going as long as you can get parts.

Speaking of bikes, I'm finishing up a restoration of a '76 Yamaha XS650.

sheepherder · 09-09-2016, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rolandtg

Speaking of bikes, I'm finishing up a restoration of a '76 Yamaha XS650.

I'm still 'finishing up' a 1972 Honda 500-Four. I had bought one brand new back in '72, but had transmission problems [lockups] that the dealer refused to fix, so I sold it. I've always felt I had unfinished business with it, so I gathered several CB550's and an original 500-Four without the trans problems and have been slowly 'restoring' that ever since 2004. It's sitting in my living room. Kind of a reminder.

In the meantime, if I feel I really have to ride, I have the '72 CL450 Scrambler. They're not as old as the lawn mower, but they're gettin' there...

rolandtg · 09-10-2016, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepherder

In the meantime, if I feel I really have to ride, I have the '72 CL450 Scrambler. They're not as old as the lawn mower, but they're gettin' there...

I've got a '71 CL350 waiting its turn to be revived.
I've got a 550 to do first after the XS650.

alanint · 09-10-2016, 11:48 AM

I restored a 1978 Kawasaki Z1-R not long ago, after I had owned one new in Mexico in the late 70s. It was only produced two years, (78,80) and the 80 had drastic changes over the 78, so parts were a nightmare.

I got stupid money for her, but I regret selling her now. I had three of them at once during the restoration, but two were modified beyond a resto and so were used for small parts, then sold.

A true classic that offered many industry "firsts". I miss riding this bike, although it represents that era where engine technology far outstripped frame and brakes, so she could be a handful to ride.

09-04-2016, 02:06 PM	#1
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,195 Thanks: 1,413 Thanked 4,462 Times in 2,336 Posts	Adventures in Lawn Mowing (A little bit of Labor day holiday humor) Members might recall a 'humorous' thread I posted back in July 2012 with this short video of my IH Cadet Cub/Kohler 7hp lawn mower engine...I asked "What is wrong with this picture???"... http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...t=100_5955.mp4 I had been mowing my lawn when the engine suddenly started making a clanking noise and then died... This was the damage... Broke right at the oil ring groove. I tried to fit a new piston, but the bore was too worn...It only ran long enough to let me finish that days mowing... ******************************************************************** Fast forward to September 2016... I was able to find a short block engine on eBay and replaced the entire engine with new gaskets. That engine didn't last long either, no power, so another engine from eBay was procured...that one lasted me up until two days ago...When it started losing power and would not cut grass without stalling out the engine. I could feel 'blowby' coming from the front of the head gasket, so I pulled the head and found this... Understand, this is a 51 year old lawn mower [made in 1965, while I was still in 10th grade] that is on its fourth used engine. It actually still ran with this blown gasket and I drove it about 200 feet to my back porch to work on it. I've lapped the aluminum head flat & smooth now, and de-coked the barrel, so when I get a new head gasket Tuesday I should be good to go. (Every year, I keep telling myself, "If it doesn't run this year, I'll buy a new mower"...But it keeps on runnin'...) Just wanted to let you guys know that they built them tough in the old days...Not like today's disposable lawn mowers. __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

09-04-2016, 02:39 PM	#2
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,195 Thanks: 1,413 Thanked 4,462 Times in 2,336 Posts	Does that video show up??? PhotoBucket shows it as an .MP4 file but I have it as an .AVI... I can't bring it up here either; it keeps showing my .357/.44 wildcat cartridge conversion .JPG's... It's 3.6MB so I can't upload it here, but I thought it was hysterically funny...Pocketa pocketa pocketa... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

09-04-2016, 02:49 PM	#3
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,443 Thanked 4,355 Times in 2,041 Posts	I'd recommend checking the oil occasionally and re-torque the head gasket after a few hours! You should get another 30 years out of it! __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

09-04-2016, 05:54 PM	#6
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,195 Thanks: 1,413 Thanked 4,462 Times in 2,336 Posts	I can't tell if that .MP4 video works or not; I tried to make an animated .GIF out of it, but the forum only allows 195kb .GIFs... I know the forum allowed the .AVI I had on PB. I don't know which changed, PB or the forum, but the video no longer appears in the post... Too bad, it was pretty funny...A member said it sounded just like their old ship engine...Pocketa pocketa pocketa... Keep your eye on the piston... Attached Images __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

09-04-2016, 09:05 PM	#9
Eugen User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Newburgh,IN Posts: 793 Thanks: 400 Thanked 634 Times in 336 Posts	Uh, me thinks its time for a new mower. __________________ “God created war so that Americans would learn geography.” ― Mark Twain

09-04-2016, 03:46 PM	#5
Sonofeugene User Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 157 Thanks: 1 Thanked 118 Times in 64 Posts	Retorque cold.

09-04-2016, 08:47 PM	#7
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 749 Thanks: 2,154 Thanked 629 Times in 339 Posts	hole in the center ?

09-09-2016, 01:42 AM	#11
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	Messing with that old stuff will drive you nuts and waste your life. Been doing it a long time. Just traded for a John Deere 850. Big relief. Attached Thumbnails

09-09-2016, 09:06 AM	#12
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,155 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	Mike, some of old folks think that "messing with that old stuff" GIVES you life... especially if you have a passion for those old things. (Think Lugers!)... another example is my 1983 BMW R100 motorcycle with sidecar... __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

09-09-2016, 11:10 AM	#13
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,195 Thanks: 1,413 Thanked 4,462 Times in 2,336 Posts	It lives ! The mighty five horsepower, air cooled, gasoline fueled, side valve, single cylinder, four stroke, centrifugally governed, cast iron barreled, aluminum headed engine roared back to life!!! And I was able to finish mowing my modest little lot, hopefully for the last time this year. As stated, I used my 'product improved' cylinder head, sanded/lapped smooth and straight (over 1200 strokes on 220 grit wet-or-dry) and the 'new' style head gasket. I also switched from the stock seven head bolts (five bolts & two studs with the 'product improved' head) to seven studs and SAE flanged nuts w/stock [thick] washers (called "worshers" in some states) and re-torqued after running for a short time. I checked with the old timer who ran the Cadet Cub repair shop and after confirming I had the 'old style' 5hp Kohler engine, recommended torquing to spec and then running "for about an hour" and then letting it cool and re-torque it. The gas tank mounts right over the head so I had to jig-rig a 2x4 and bungee cords to hold the tank away from the head so I could see if it came loose or some other malfunction. I was surprised that the cooled head took about a half turn to each nut to re-torque. So now it's done and we'll see next Spring if it starts and I mow again or buy a new mower. I'm sort of hoping it won't so I can buy one of the orange compact zero-turn tiller-steer mowers that my neighbors seem to have so much fun with. Either that, or stuff a 4-cylinder 1974 Honda motorcycle engine in the Cadet and see how long that lasts. __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

09-09-2016, 05:33 PM	#15
Mike B Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 979 Thanks: 1 Thanked 272 Times in 100 Posts	Hey John, How much your BMW? I think I need that in my life. How about a Party Leader PPK? Mike

09-09-2016, 10:12 PM	#16
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,155 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	Mike if you are serious about the BMW I will let you know when I am satisfied with tuning the engine and balancing the two 40mm Bing carbs and We can talk about values and trades. �� The bike is in amazing shape for its age. It was fun riding it 275 miles home from NY. PM me if you want to know more. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

09-09-2016, 10:46 PM	#17
rolandtg User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 479 Thanks: 388 Thanked 265 Times in 114 Posts	That mower is awesome! I'd keep it going as long as you can get parts. Speaking of bikes, I'm finishing up a restoration of a '76 Yamaha XS650. Attached Thumbnails

09-10-2016, 11:48 AM	#20
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	I restored a 1978 Kawasaki Z1-R not long ago, after I had owned one new in Mexico in the late 70s. It was only produced two years, (78,80) and the 80 had drastic changes over the 78, so parts were a nightmare. I got stupid money for her, but I regret selling her now. I had three of them at once during the restoration, but two were modified beyond a resto and so were used for small parts, then sold. A true classic that offered many industry "firsts". I miss riding this bike, although it represents that era where engine technology far outstripped frame and brakes, so she could be a handful to ride. Attached Thumbnails