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.

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...