782 pros and cons?
 

I am looking at possibly getting an IH built 782 that does not run and the engine is stuck on. I can't remember if there is a better or worse series of engine on these? It has the correct 17 horse Kohler engine, I just think I remember seeing about different series of engines not being as good. Any other suggestions would help. The serial number is 668954.
Thanks!

P.S. I'm trying to get the guy to let me trade him a David Bradley walk-behind garden tractor for it, so it could be a pretty good deal!

There are a series 1 and 2 motors, from what I have read. The series 1 has oiling issues. I believe that they are prone to blowing up if you are mowing across a slope, I think it starves the up hill cylinder of oil and they break the connecting rod.

The series II is spec number 24300 and higher, and will likely have an oil filter blockoff plate on the forward part of the right side of the engine case. A cub-spec series II will have a round air cleaner that says 'Series II' and a plastic oil fill cap. The series I will have a metal pipe plug for the oil fill cap. The series I did have some oiling issues if it wasn't maintained well. There are many engines that can be used to replace the series I with few modifications.

NOT all Series II have this block off plate. I have a Series II (later model- '84) and it does NOT have that provision. Not a good indicator in determining the KT-17 series.

Read my post again...that's why I said will likely have. I didn't say will have. If it does, it's for sure a series II, and that's the point I was trying to make.

Thanks for your help everybody, but it looks like a no deal. The guy won't bargain with me. I offered to trade him my David bradley walk behind garden tractor plus a parts tractor and cultivator and blade, and he still wanted $400 too.