KT17 Rehab

[JSlezak83]

I recently picked up a 682 with a KT17, which I believe is a Series II, as it has an oil pressure port on the closure plate. The KT17 is in need of some attention. It needed a coil, the starter bendex won’t engage. It could probably use new points.

This tractor looks to have been operated for a while without the points cover. The screw holes are kinda gummed up. Any thoughts on how to clean out these holes without getting the debris in the oil passages? My first thought is to chase the threads with the engine running, hoping that the oil pressure will force anything out the flutes of the tap.

[ol'George]

Clean and reuse the points, they will be good for another 40 years.
Save your $$ for something you need.
Keep your shop vac crevice tool at the bottom of the tap as it should suck any debris, as you rethread.
Stop after a few of turns and suck out the blind hole and/or shoot some of your favorite cleaner or use your air hose to blow out the debris if you have one.
No worries as the holes are blind (they do not go into the crankcase)
Have fun, wear yer safety glasses.
And be careful as those small taps are easily broken, then you got bigger problems.

[JSlezak83]

Classic case of analysis paralysis. I was under the impression those points holes were not blind holes, rather were drilled into the oil gallery on those engines.

I’ll certainly try filing those points, but I’m not sure they will even open. They are quite crusty.

I’ve got other projects higher up the list, but I’ll update once I get the engine out to address the starter bendex and mouse house. It’ll probably be a good month or so. I’ve got an off brand red tractor that needs some attention first.

[ol'George]

Well if you stop and think about it some, if the holes were through into the crankcase, then they would allow the oil to wick, and also some crankcase pressure, to cause the oil to seep out around the threads making a slow, but steady mess.