So far so good!
Yellow engine???

twoton: Thanks for the encouragement,

finsruskw: Was a black replacement engine, rebuilt at some time. Seems this tractor has had plenty of time on the clock to wear out two engines (or maybe someone just abused them).

Mounting the tires was a real challenge. Someone in the past had put straight water in the rear tires and the rims were extremely rusted. Had to cut the old tires off to dismount (too cheap to pay someone for something that manual labor and some time can accomplish). Cleaned, ground, sanded, primed, painted the interior to be able to mount the new AGs more easily. Put tubes on all four corners to minimize leaks from the get-go. Nothing worse than going to do some work and finding a flat before you even start. :bash2: Prep and paint is not professional, but enough to make the tractor rust free and not embarrassing to sit on.

CubDieselFan: Stay tuned for more pics of the assembly as time allows.

Slowly adding more parts: Head tin and muffler installed, Muffler heat shield box and front casting installed, engine baffle installed. Virus "Stay at home" order is putting a cramp in getting supplies. Will definitely extend the date to fire this project up!

I believe the QL's all came w/black engines.

I think you're right. I have a 1000 I knew since it was bought new and it has a black engine. I also have a 1450 with a black engine and a 1650 parts tractor with a black engine.

replacement engines for the pre-QL models were black.

Not a big deal unless you plan on displaying it at a show sometime with the hood up, be prepared for the questions though.

Looks good like that though

Main reason I painted the engine was it's easier to see oil leaks and keep it clean. The engine tag is an aluminum foil label glued to the shroud. Did original engines have a metal (more durable) tag screwed or riveted to the engine shroud (so this tag is an indication that the engine might be a replacement)? I wish it was stamped metal as this one is partly damaged and closer to losing info. Also, the tag on my 127 engine is placed high on the shroud. The 1450 has the tag down low behind the frame rail where it's hard to see.

The only way to determine if the engine is a replacement, is to compare the Tractor Chassis Serial Number to the Kohler Engine Serial Number and see if the code dating puts them in the same year.

So where would the engine serial number be? I'm assuming on the engine tag shown? All I see is the model and spec number. Is that aluminum foil tag typical of an original engine?

Looking good so far! That tag would be correct. The serial number should be on a smaller tag above the other one. Looks like it is missing on yours.