Well I had hoped that I would keep with the rebuild on this blog and make a new posting each time I posted a new video on youtube....I failed...miserably. But this is my attempt to catch up.
So, part 2 of the project is where the fun really starts. I get to do some deconstruction. I start with just taking off the muffler and the gas tank. As you probably know, I plan on painting the tractor, so obviously I need ot take everything off so I can do a good job. But to start with, I want to get it running smoothly (as long a money permits me to do that first). The first thing I had to do was get the gas tank off. The fuel shutoff has a leak in it. Once I got it off, I saw that it was because the gasket was broke within the shutoff valve. I'd like to find a sediment bowl to replace it with, ONLY because I think they look cool. I think the fuel shutoff with a screen will do just as good a job as the sediment bowl, but I've always like the sediment bowl look. Maybe I can find one on ebay.
Anyways, after taking off the fuel tank I had to get the muffler off. It wasn't a horrible job, I just had to loosen up the screw and nut holding it on and spray some WD-40 in there to get it to slide right off. Here is a picture of the hole:
Once I took it off, I could shake it and hear metal clanking around in there, and I got some to fall out. Check out the video and you can see it:
If you watch the end of the video I put the gas tank back on, and you can still hear the clank, so unfortunately, it as not the muffler causing it. I also say at the end of the video that it may be the wrist pin. I have since taken the piston out and it is not the wrist pin. It is in great shape. Once video 4 (very soon) you can see more about the noise and then see what you think it might be.
Since this is my introduction, I feel like I should give a little background about myself and the project. I am an IT guy by trade, I went to Georgia Tech and majored in computer science and I am now an IT consultant. I enjoy my work, but I wanted a new challenge. Not that I think I have conquered the realm of computers, but I wanted to challenge myself in something that I have no knowledge.
Enter my Snapper Comet. I got it from my father in law, and it was not running when I picked it up. A friend of mine dad came over one day and helped me get it running. It was as simple as a carburetor rebuild and next thing I knew, I was mowing the yard with a snapper! Next I got an old tiller that wouldn't run and I rebuilt the card on it myself. I really enjoyed doing that stuff and learning everything I could about how carburetors works and how to clean them out and make them good as new.
So after getting that stuff running I started looking around for something that would really challenge my knowledge and in the end would be a huge help to me. And thanks to the wonderful world of youtube, I discovered the huge community of classic garden tractor enthusiast . I then got in the market for either a Sears Suburban or an International Harvester Cub Cadet. That's when I found an add in criagslist for a Model 123 Cub Cadet (IHCC123 from here on out). The IHCC123 was everything I wanted. It needed some work, but was in pretty solid shape. The price was pretty affordable, just $175. And it had a Hydrostatic transmission! So without further ado, here is the first video in what I hope to be a long series of videos all about my IHCC123 and my rebuild of my new toy.
In the video I said it was a 1966, but I have since learned it is a 1967. It is also missing a piece that holds the exhaust on. The exhaust has a hole in it, which might be causing that horrible knock, but the guy who sold it to me said he thinks it is a wrist pin. Whatever it is, I can't wait to tear into the engine and figure it out. I need some advice on the exhaust. Should I replace it with a stock type muffler? Or is there something better out there for it?
So here are my plans for the tractor. First, I want to get the engine running real good. I also plan on servicing the hydro just to make sure everything is good on it. I need to rebuild the PTO, because the one I have has a piece broken off the spring. After I get it in good running order then I am going to sand it down and paint everything. Please don't flame me, but I am NOT going to use all Cub paint or even colors. For the frame, I'd really like to use the truck bed liner to make it more durable. Does that sound like a good idea? Then when it comes to the engine and hood, I don't like the yellow and off-white, respectively. I want to do something that makes more sense. Maybe a tan color on the hood to hide dirt and paint the engine block black to hide the dirt that builds up on there?
After I get it running smooth and looking good, I want to get a mower deck for it so it will become useful. Then I think it is time to start adding parts to it. I'm thinking a three point hitch to start with, then maybe a hydraulic lift? If you have any ideas, please leave them in the comments. I'd like to make this tractor incredibly durable and extremely useful.
