My 123 "fix up"
 

well, (edit) got it for $100 (not 75). Flat tires, rotted tower base, seat shot, tree growing thru carb linkage, and all...

Just dragged it out of storage today and while still on the trailer, saw that it has oil (black, but its oil) zapped the starter with jumpers, and spun it. The points had cob webs and crud and points cover was loose maybe even no screw at the bottom. I Ran some 320 sand paper to get them conducting again and now they work until I can get new points.

Squirted some oil into the cylinder too...

It cranks. Feels like it has compression but my gauge read zero. I think its the gauge and maybe low compression or even the compression release is actually working. Dunno. but the thumb test showed enough that it might start briefly (carb is a disaster). And it did start, on ether.

Oh, the hydro apparently works at least somewhat since it tried to go backwards when cranking, then I put the lever forward and it went forward when cranking and neutral worked too.

I'll have to bite the bullet and get tires tho... all shot.

This is fun!

Here is a HOW NOT TO for starting a long-sitting K301! But it was fun!


https://youtu.be/Xr2QV0ghMJc

Great price..Nice project cub. Good luck.

Now that's the kinda deal I gotta find. Good luck, have fun, keep us posted.

I've started many engines on carb cleaner. About 1/3 price of Ether and works just fine.

lol that's great!


just pulled the carb, its not salvageable. ordered a chinese knockoff on amazon for $17, crap shoot but we'll see.

the throttle cable freed right up with PB blaster, very cool. gotta order some tires next. I started a topic on some 4 ply BKT trencher (ag) treads for $64 each, if anyone says they are good I'll get those and find something for the fronts.

I had a compression gauge once that read 35 lbs. on 5 different engines
till it dawned on me maybe the gauge was kaputt. I am a little slow at
times. New tractor looks like a great way to spend some time, enjoy.

Ken

Thanks Ken I know what u mean, I dont spot the obvious at times too... then it's DUH! :eek:

Got the steering wheel off, and unbolted the tower to fix the rotted bottom - side bolts and all the 7/16 bolts. Cant lift it until the Hydrostatic lever is out and it has pins and a spring coupling etc. Whats the best way to separate that hydrostatic control shaft inside the tower?

There are 4 bolts at the bottom of the lever assembly that attaches to the frame have to be removed. You did not have to remove the 7/16 bolts. Then disconnect the linkage where it connects to the rod that goes on the tranny.
Removing the steering column helps. Then lift the tower off, very easy.

Muffler question
 

thank u minion, will look when the storm passes. I think I found a better tower but he is not sure which cc its from. pic looks the same, so i want to bring mine.

Now I have a muffler question since this one has a threaded stub threaded into the exhaust port thats cut off. I can get a pancake muffler or such from TSC but some cubs have a long big muffler across the front of the engine exiting above the SG. Those look to be $50 (aftermarket). Doesn't show the attachment piece.

First, are those a lot quieter than the shorty / pancake little ones? (I would think so) and what's that piece? Any other muffler input appreciated

That is the muffler used on all the narrow frames except the Original, 70, 71, 72, and 73. The cut off piece on your 123 was a 90 degree elbow that faced downward to allow installation of that muffler. I do believe it is quieter than the ones from TSC, my 106 runs pretty quiet with the stock muffler setup, as a matter of fact it's the quietest!

My Original's got the tall vertical pipe (also from TSC) and it's loud, the 107 has a stock muffler but with an extra pipe extension, and removed upper bracket to allow for vertical placement outside the hood. That isn't quiet either, though it could be the fact that the muffler is decently rotted out internally.

But the 106, with it's completely stock setup, runs nice and smooth and quiet. I highly recommend you replace the cut off elbow and buy the correct muffler.

https://www.ihccw.com/image/cache/ca..._2-215x215.JPG

elbow looks like that