126 Refurb

IH Cub Cadet · #1 03-12-2013, 12:02 AM

I just finished posting a separate thread on my 1650 refurb and figured I might as well start one on my 126 that I picked-up (see http://onlycubcadets.net/forum/showthread.php?t=22273).

The 126 appears to be in overall good condition, but the engine has a broken rod and some galling on the crank. The engine needs a rebuild.

In the mean time, I picked-up a 122 for a donor. At first, it was going to be a donor, then I had a line on another 12 hp rebuilt engine, but it sold before I got back to the seller - and my Wife/Boss reminded me that the reason we have another tractor in the yard was for a DONOR - not to add to the fleet, soooo, the 122 is once again a donor.

I pulled the engine out of the 122 tonight and pulled the head. It looks great, some carbon on the head, cylinder head and piston, but nothing causing me concern. The engine is a black crate engine, not the original and I was hoping it would not be as worn-out as the rest of the 122. Looking down the cylinder bore, it is very clean with some cross-hatching still visible. This engine will get decarb'd, a new head gasket, a cast iron oil pan (present one is aluminum), pan gasket and a check (and removal if present) for balance gears. I need a grass screen for it and need to figure out how to get the drive plate off the flywheel too. I won't paint the engine right off the bat - want to get the engine in the 126 and run it to see what I've got before I go into crazy mode doing a restore vs a working tractor refurb.

Other parts going to the 126 from the 122 is a rear 3 point hitch (I call them sleeve hitches) and a spring assist. I may also swap the front axle too as one of the steering arms attached to the spindle is fouled-up by the PO. I will keep other items from the 122 for spares too, like clutch parts, voltage regulator, etc.

So the refurb on the 126 is underway - thanks in advance for your help!!!

Bill

Methos · #2 03-12-2013, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leeave96

I just finished posting a separate thread on my 1650 refurb and figured I might as well start one on my 126 that I picked-up (see http://onlycubcadets.net/forum/showthread.php?t=22273).

The 126 appears to be in overall good condition, but the engine has a broken rod and some galling on the crank. The engine needs a rebuild.

In the mean time, I picked-up a 122 for a donor. At first, it was going to be a donor, then I had a line on another 12 hp rebuilt engine, but it sold before I got back to the seller - and my Wife/Boss reminded me that the reason we have another tractor in the yard was for a DONOR - not to add to the fleet, soooo, the 122 is once again a donor.

I pulled the engine out of the 122 tonight and pulled the head. It looks great, some carbon on the head, cylinder head and piston, but nothing causing me concern. The engine is a black crate engine, not the original and I was hoping it would not be as worn-out as the rest of the 122. Looking down the cylinder bore, it is very clean with some cross-hatching still visible. This engine will get decarb'd, a new head gasket, a cast iron oil pan (present one is aluminum), pan gasket and a check (and removal if present) for balance gears. I need a grass screen for it and need to figure out how to get the drive plate off the flywheel too. I won't paint the engine right off the bat - want to get the engine in the 126 and run it to see what I've got before I go into crazy mode doing a restore vs a working tractor refurb.

Other parts going to the 126 from the 122 is a rear 3 point hitch (I call them sleeve hitches) and a spring assist. I may also swap the front axle too as one of the steering arms attached to the spindle is fouled-up by the PO. I will keep other items from the 122 for spares too, like clutch parts, voltage regulator, etc.

So the refurb on the 126 is underway - thanks in advance for your help!!!

Bill

Bill good luck with the engine swap. Keep the 122 as a donor until you can locate another engine then move it to back up tractor and you'll sneak one into the fleet via the back door.

The hard part is getting them home and once they are at the house time to get them ready to join the other workers.

IH Cub Cadet · #3 03-12-2013, 09:12 PM

Got the drive plate off the donor engine from the 122. Ordered from Dave Kirk a super steer kit, a points and points cover kit (which looks like socket head cap screws) and a magnetic oil drain plug.

I need to pull the tractor outside and give it a power spray wash before I begin putting things back together.

ACecil · #4 03-12-2013, 10:31 PM

Thanks for the update!

IH Cub Cadet · #5 04-03-2013, 11:06 PM

Update: Got the 126 chassis cleaned-up and ready for engine reinstall. I took the oil pan off the engine (a replacement crate engine) and am going to swap out the aluminum oil pan for a cast iron one. Also removed the balance gears from the engine. I've got a super steer upgrade to do and I think I can install the engine.

Thanks!
Bill

Cubcrazy · #6 04-04-2013, 06:09 AM

Thanks for the update Bill!

IH Cub Cadet · #7 05-10-2013, 11:27 PM

Update: Had a little time tonight to tinker with the 126.

Engine from 122 is ready to drop into the 126. As far as I can tell, the wiring harness on the 126 seems to be intact and OK. I've read the 1x5/6 wires can be problematic with age - we'll see.

Need to replace the clutch teaser spring - which I have. Question is - when you drive out the roll pins, do you block-up the end of the drive shaft with something like a piece of 2 x 4 or just bang away and drive the pins out?

Also managed to loose one of my new anti-rattle clutch springs...

Getting close with this 126 for a test drive to see what I've got.

Thanks!
Bill

ACecil · #8 05-10-2013, 11:35 PM

Thanks for updating us!

IH Cub Cadet · #9 05-11-2013, 11:18 PM

The engine is in the tractor and bolted down - but not without a few set backs. I dropped a head bolt down the flywheel tin - after the engine was in the tractor...

I put in a new teaser spring and anti-rattle clutch springs.

If I have time tomorrow, I'll try to connect fuel and electrical lines and maybe give it a start...

IH Cub Cadet · #10 05-12-2013, 11:10 PM

Made a little more progress with the 126 this evening. First, I went out to my Dad's camp and took a good look-see at the 109's carb, S/G and V/R linkages/connections - and took some pictures of those for reference for the 126.

When I got back to the house, I finished the carb linkages and installed the condenser and coil. I've got the belt on the S/G and am ready to wire that. The gas tank is installed and gas line ran to the carb. I've got a fresh battery and a good charge on it. If I have time tomorrow after work, I'll try to finish what remains, roll the 126 outside, give it a crank and see what happens.

On another note, while visiting my 109, I mowed a little grass. This tractor has a 44A deck with speed-up pulley. I mowed a road on the property and part of it hadn't been mowed yet this season. The grass must have been 12 to 18 inches and the little 10 hp engine plowed right through it. Even though this engine suffers from what I think are some worn rings and I get some smoke out the breather, it seems like it has plenty of power. I can only imagine what kind of power this engine would have with a good rebuild. I've got another color tractor with a 20 hp Onan and it is a great motor/tractor combo, all the mowing I did today was with 1/2 (or less if you consider the wear on the engine) the hp and no problems. Somehow I'm thinking that if 10 hp is enough on a hydro, 12 hp on my gear drive 126 will be a sweet combo.

Thanks!
Bill