This Baby Rocks!
 

With the new to me '74 1650 with the 16Hp Kohler:
Today was the acid test. After putting the carb back on after it almost fell off, thanks to the PO, I had a LOT of overgrown grass and scotch broom. The grass in some parts was almost 5 ft. high. She didn't bog down put took right to it; ok after a few passes back and forth but the mower can only do so much. I'm impressed with these little tractors.
True to IH, it's marked it's spot in the shop; oil dripping from the right rear axle. I don't know what from but the brake disc is wet with oil.
Gotta wear ear plugs, QuietLine my arse, this thing is loud; well maybe the mower deck, it howls. I've also noticed the last couple of days the engine seems to have a "knock" at mid rpm range, about 1/4 to 1/2 throttle after it's all warmed up and has been run awhile.

They're great machines, but you're correct, they are not quiet! When I first got my 1650 I thought that it had a bad muffler, so I spent $90 for a new muffler to quiet it down. It was a waste of $90 !!

Thanks for the input. I thought it was just me.
I did find why the deck is so loud. The idler pulley bearing is dry or worn, and the spindle bearings are rough. The PO said they were the newer style tapered bearings, and he had worked on them. Something ain't right though. The center bearing locked up when I greased it. Dang, I was getting caught up on the mowing. I have the tech sheet that explains something about how the lower seal goes in so it can flush when it's greased. Maybe he put it in wrong. It'll be nice if I can get it up to snuff and make it a bit quieter.
That engine knock though has got me worried, but I suppose that's a gamble ya take with old stuff; even if the former owner claimed to have kept everything in shape himself.

Greg: Overgreasing (pumping in too much grease under pressure) will indeed cause those bearings to lock up!! I suggest that you use a hand pump grease gun and then you can sense the resistance when the housing is full of grease...if you need grease, the handle will have a "mushy" feeling but as soon as the bearing housing gets full, the pump handle will suddenly get real stiff. That's when you quit pumping grease in....

If the spindles feel rough....I suggest you replace the bearings (incl the races). Knock out an old one and take it to the nearest bearing store, have them match the one you brought in, and get 6 of 'em. Replace all six (2 per spindle) and then you will know what you have....The bearings are relatively inexpensive....

Myron B

Thank you Myron, that's what I'll do then. The instructions for the tapered bearings said to pump grease until they're "flushed", or to that effect. The lower seal was to go in a certain way to accomplish that, otherwise it says it can happen what I just had happen. I guess I'll see that when I get it apart. Only the center spindle locked up, the other 2 greased just fine. There's a couple of bearing vendors in the next town over from me; I should be able to get 6 bearings and seals in short order.