Changed the hydro fluid today. It was pretty nasty, I don't feel a difference after the change but I'm glad I have some nice clean oil in there. I still have some speed surge (lurch?) Unfortunately I know what the problem is (trunnion bracket) after only a few days of browsing on this forum.
I am not really wanting to split the tractor to get at that piece of metal. I sort of got a peek at it today, it's got some side to side slop when I touch the spring. It just feels loose overall, I can't really get my head in there far enough to see if there are notches. Anyhoo, still happy with the tractor... I like projects.
I am still having problems with it shutting down when hot. Per the advice of a few on here I think a new coil, new points, and a Kirk pointsaver (eliminate condenser) will be a good starting point. I can see this will be a happy little money pit already.
I got a new gasket and filter for the hydro from my local shop. They had these pretty little 'O's' inside the parts department!!
http://imgur.com/i6ysFI5
http://imgur.com/i0s7WXI
Parts for the job.
http://imgur.com/gD0hClA
Filth, but hey - found the serial number (it's a '66 I think)
http://imgur.com/oNHOImG
I've changed cleaner diapers.
http://imgur.com/S9MfaY2
Found some crud, not too bad I guess compared to some pics I've seen.
http://imgur.com/xwKGPy6
I'm amazed by the condition of these 48 year old parts.
http://imgur.com/CzCWKUh
Honestly the biggest PITA was cleaning old gasket gunk, otherwise a pretty easy job.
http://imgur.com/Z7dzhPn
All clean!
http://imgur.com/RKyMk1K
I took a can of carb cleaner and got the gunk off the pump right quick. Pretty impressed actually! It was nasty, I should have taken a 'before' pic, it was worse than the rest of the tunnel you see here.
http://imgur.com/GTt7qc3