"New" International Cadet 60
 

Hi - I posted this to the new guy thread area and it was suggested I move it here, so here goes:

I was going to wait for the fall/winter to restore my newly acquired Cadet 60, but decided to get a jump start on it by getting it in running shape first. First was to get it rolling. I removed the wheels and flat/rotten tires and replaced them with new rubber. Before that I stripped and repainted the wheels with IH White paint, which I believe is the original color of the wheels and undercarriage/frame. While examining the front axle, I noticed that it was scored on the left side. Seems the original brass wheel flange bearings were missing, causing the front wheels to wobble and score the steel axle. Hmmmm. I searched the Internet for replacement flanges, thought I found them with a cross referenced MTD flange bearing (MTD Flange Bearing PN 741-3090) but they were too large to fit the wheels. I solved that problem by measuring the diameter of the axle and the opening to the wheel and locating bronze flange bearings that fit, with only minor adjustment (3/4" id x 7/8" od x 3/4" Long, if anyone is interested).

I then moved on to the engine. I bought this 1971 Cadet 60 at an estate sale. It came with the carburetor, exhaust assembly, etc., separate from the engine, in a box of parts. Obviously, a previous owner was intending on restoring it as there were numerous NOS parts (gaskets, etc.) in there also. I found that the spark plug was brand new in the block. The carburetor was packed solid with mud from a mud dauber nest and several bolt holes were plugged with insect nests. So, the mower probably had been sitting for years with no attention. I stripped the carb and rebuilt it. It needed all new seals and only a few new metal parts. Had to buy a new exhaust elbow (I found a NOS one on eBay!) and am going to replace the muffler shortly (using a B&S muffler right now as a temp). Replaced the fuel lines (old ones were rotten) and will replace the 12V battery as the owners manual states to never run it with out a battery attached. This mower is an electric start model. Anyway, the next step is to attach the carb, exhaust, battery, fuel lines, etc., fill it with non-ethanol gas and see if it will crank! I'll post my results later on. Cross your fingers!

Jim,
Good work on the 60. I assume these were mowers? Do you have the deck or is it there and I cant see it. I like your detailing work.
Regards,
Chris

Nice job on the 60, Jim! You do great work.

Hello, Chris. Thanks for the comment! Yeah, these were mowers. I just happened on this one at an auction and picked it up for peanuts. I've always loved IH products (grew up around Farmall M, H, and F-20 tractors) so it was a natural to get this mower. It did come with a deck - all 32" of it and with a rear discharge! This mower is very complete and original. It's fiberglass is not cracked anywhere, only stained in a couple of places. Compression on the Tecumseh V60 engine seems real good, so I'm hoping it'll fire right up once I get all the parts attached. I'll let ya know as it progresses.

Thanks, Allen! I appreciate it, and also your suggestion to move this post. Thanks for the comment on my 106 also...

Anytime Jim! :beerchug:

Nice machine. The "little" IH machines just don't get much respect, glad to see someone giving one the attention it desires. To be honest, I don't know if a RER built my Cadet were better than dime-store el cheapos or not. At least with Cadet you had full service and parts availability.

John: Shame on you for such an affront to all the RER owners. How many of those dime-store el cheapos are still mowing grass on weekends after 40+ years, much less have such an avid group of owners & followers.

ML

Hmmm. Kind of like the car dealer who says "It's just like a Cadillac". No, it's not just like a Cadillac. Only a Cadillac is like a Cadillac.

This little RER is not "just like an International Harvester" It IS an International Harvester.

And this is, after all, an International Harvester Forum...

:American Flag 1:

You guys need to get a grip, dime store mowers still running after 40 years, yeah 1 in a million maybe.:bash2: THE ONLY reason IH and Deere sold those things was to compete with the crap Sears, lumber yards, furniture stores, Western auto, etc sold. NO way on God's green earth Can you compare a RER to a full sized Cadet. I used to hang out with my dad on Saturdays at the IH dealer he worked for. I drove basically everything Cadet made out on the yard to put on display (everything was brought inside at night). Even back in the late 70's I could tell the quality was not very good (of course I was growing up on real farm equipment and knew what quality was). I listened routinely to the sales pitches for the new machines. Basically the customer had it explained to them there were 2 classes of machine, light duty stuff and heavy duty. Both were backed by a full service and parts department--nationwide in most any decent sized town. However, it was pointed out that only the full sized machines would handle severe work and that the only REAL competition to a Cadet was Deere--a good product backed by a huge network of dealers is why those 2 owned the market.

Funny I tried to show some encouragement on a rebuild and you RER guys want to talk trash. A lot could be read into that I suppose.