The frustrations of a new spring and an old tractor!

[ccr147]

Thought I might vent a little bout the tractor. So I've been excited for spring the meg mo blades are on their way as well as a new electric lift for the 147. I decided over the weekend to get it out and fire her up so I could roll my lawn as well as my parents place. Ran great Saturday and was running great yesterday. When I was bout 2/3 done with my lawn all the sudden going up hill she started sputtering so I stopped and idleded it down. Not a minute later she stalled and that's it. I tried starting it for over an hour. It almost wants to but no go. She's got good air fuel and spark. I think its the timing AGAIN! I've had more issues keeping the timing set on this thing since this motor was built.

Anyone else have issues keeping the timing set?

Curt

[R Bedell]

New set of points and all new mounting screws.

[jimbob200521]

I feel your pain. I hate hate HATE setting timing, just something that annoys me for some reason. My solution? Order a Pointsaver from this guy (scroll down):

http://www.kirkengines.com/

Guys that don't have a hard time setting timing don't see much of a use for them but I personally now swear by it. It makes setting timing so much easier and your points should last longer. It basically takes the load off of your points and changes them from creating spark to being simply a timer for spark. You actually remove your condenser when using the Pointsaver as well. Simply hook it up, get the "S" mark on your flywheel in the eyehole, and tweak the points until the light on the Pointsaver comes on and violla! Your points are set. It's supposed to create a stronger spark too but you be the judge of that. Claims are it'll help cold weather starting too but I haven't had it through a winter yet so I can't comment on that yet. Anywho, that's just my

[ccr147]

Jimbob I actually have the pointslayer ignition from them on the motor. When I got the motor back from the engine builder a couple years ago and I finally got it in the tractor he had put the Chevy points on and they were a PITA so I bought the kohler points and they were not much better. I had a heckuva time. That led me to get the pointslayer. I love it, works great. Only problem I've had is the adjustment screw backs out ever so slightly sometimes.

I tore into it today after work once I was calmed down and not seeing red. Guess what, it's not the timing. I blew a head gasket. Again! I blew one last year and I've had barely 4 hours on the motor since the last one. Obvious question "did you check the torque after running the motor the first time?" Yes I did. I also checked the torque before I pulled the head today and they were all right on. So looks like I'm shopping for a new head. This head really can't be shaved any more, it's already been done once and he took quite a bit off to get it flat again.

Why do I love this machine again?

Curt

[Cubby guy]

Why do I love this machine again?

Because it IS a Cub Cadet.

Something I seem to sort of very vaguely remember from my (somewhat) mis-spent youth.....

Had a Budd that was REALLY into hi-performance engines. He used to machine stock engine heads down quite a bit to increase compression ( I think that was why ) and he had A LOT of problem with head gaskets giving up.

Maybe that is what is happening to your engine...head is too thin. Also, when you have the head off, check the top of the block for flatness. Only heard of a block warping once, but it can happen.

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by Cubby guy

Also, when you have the head off, check the top of the block for flatness. Only heard of a block warping once, but it can happen.

I've seen that more than once.....