Well, just to clear up some more. I have all the tools to do the job correctly,like the hone,bore gauge as well as spring compressors etc. I have a good line on a 1650 motor that I can most likely get this spring and probably will do so.I just thought I could get the smoke to settle down a bit more. I know oil is cheap,but when I come in from plowing snow, I am not fond of smelling like a burnt oil rig...lol It wont be a total loss if it blows as like I stated in the beginning,it was well used before I got it. If the motor was serviced like the 1250 it came in,I am stunned that it even ran. Talk about major rig jobs. I was even concerned driving the thing on my trailer. The tie rods were done like I have never seen before. It's a shme as this motor should be rebuilt,but I can't see spending alot on it when I can get a nice 16 hp for about 100-150 bucks. I heard the 16 hp run and I think it would be a great upgrade to my tractor. Then I can say it's a 1600...lol

ol'George no offense takin at all. I grew up a farm boy and we always did things off the beatin path basically because the money wasn't there. You did what needed to be done to get thru the season and if you were lucky a couple more on top of that. What I did with the 301 bought me another 10 yrs of steady use and another 10 with limited duty for about a 20$ bill. I still cut some corners on stuff I do for myself. Funny you mention the tire thing BTDT. Side wall in the rear tire of the 125 had about a 6in split in it and I cut up an old bike tire and glued it on the inside of the tire and tubed it and was able to get another 4 yrs out of it. Necessity is the mother of invention.