Here's my problem: May Dad (75 years old and not internet aware) has charged me with finding a part for his old Craftsman lawn tractor (GT/18 model 917.257061). It dates back to the late 70s or early 80s. I'm almost 47 years old and remember the day it was delivered but I was a little kid. The part he's after is a carburetor body but he said if he has to get the whole thing, that's fine. The problem is, for whatever reason, he doesn't want it to be from Sears or Craftsman. I know, that's ridiculous, you know that's ridiculous, the whole world knows it too. But he doesn't. Maybe you have one of those elderly fathers too, who practices conspiracy theories and says "that's how they get ya" a lot. :confused2:
I'm assuming that getting a part like this from anyone EXCEPT Craftsma is an impossible task of course, but I wanted some seasoned pros to be able to back up my assumption so I came here. If you have any advice, I would greatly appreciate it.
I actually just did some searching and it appears his is a 1978 version, just comparing to pictures. Wow, I was only 6 years old when that thing was delivered! The memory is seared into my brain evidently :laughing:
#3
tom3
Well, Sears and Craftsman didn't build the engine. Would be a Kohler or Briggs I suspect, maybe a rare Onan which would make that one heck of a machine. But those old carbs can sure be rebuilt by a decent mechanic to new condition for not a lot of money. But search the engine over for an engine number and make and repost, someone can probably come up with a carb.
Craftsman did not make the engine or the carburettor or the mower for that matter
917= Roper, they were the company that supplied the mower.
AYP made it to Ropers specification for Sears to sell.
As you can see there was a lot more margin back then.
If no trade person comes back with an actual engine maker & carb model, you can go to parts Tree then search for Craftsman and find your mower then look at the part number for the carb.
In parts tree it will be the makers part number and not the sears part number.
It will most likely be obsolete, but a carb is a carb is a carb so it can be substituted with another on from the same sized engine.
The engine is an Onan B48M-GAO18/3417A, the carb is part number 142-0568 which is likely no longer available but worth a try. However, be prepared to mortgage your first born if purchasing from Onan. The repair kit is part number 142-0570, it may be available from an aftermarket supplier for a lot less.
The original engine for that unit was an Onan 18hp B48M-GAO18-3417A. That being said I now see why the carb costs so much, if you can find one. The Onan part number is 142-0568. This carb was built by Marvel Shebler for models DD11, DD13, DD15 systems and installed on Onan engines B43M and B48M. There are rebuild kits out there, but be careful buying them online. Lot of people say they have them, but many times it is not the right kit. Do your home work. I agree with your dad, stay away from Sears, will only give you more headaches. Father knows best in this case, yes I’m also just about his age and it’s not RIDICULOUS. I would start my search with the oldest mechanic in your area and see if he has any suggestions. You need to find one who has worked on these older engines, as they are a little different than today engines. Here is a site which has the original owners manual which also might help you out. https://www.manualslib.com/manual/795242/Sears-917-257061.html. Hope this helps you out.
Just remembered that Wheel Horse used those Onan engines in a few different models. D-160, 520H, 416 etc. Might try to find an old timer at a Toro dealer. Again the older the better. If all else fails I’ve worked on those engines which were install in the older RV’s. Might be your last resort.
#8
7394
I agree with your Dad, "that's how they get ya".............
Thanks for all the input gents. I should have gotten information from the engine in the first place. I will do that tomorrow. BTW, he saved the original owners manual for the tractor :shocked: I can barely keep track of the mail I picked up an hour ago.
Well, you fellers sure know your mowers. It was an Onan just like Rivets said. I looked extensively and found a few places online that sell the carbs. As a friend of mine says when something is very expensive: "they're awful proud of 'em". They ranged mostly between $600 to $900 but I found a "cheap" one at $422. That's too much for my Dad to fork over.
His original dilemma is that he uses a rear mounted tiller on the old tractor to till his garden, but with the tractor not working, that is useless as well. He has a newer Craftsman that he uses for mowing but the rear of that one is not compatible (as far as we can see) a similar tiller. It's not looking promising for a ride behind tilling now. He does have a walk behind tiller that will get him though so he's not going to have to give up his garden.
I sure do thank you all for your help. Good luck and God bless.
You might like to take the carb to an automotive carburettor specialist.
many of then can refurbish old carburettors by maching out ovaled holes & bushing them, making worn out shafts from brass rod etc.
I play with anchient motorcycles and have a "pet" carby man who does all this sort of work.
When engines went fuel injected he started doing more bespoke rebuilds and now has a good business.
As for the prices, quality and longivity costs money but we have all become way too cheap for our own good and get fixated on the numbers on the price tag and not the REAL cost.
The REAL cost was hours worked to pay for the item and back when you were 8 your dad would have paid between 6 months & 1 years wages for that mower.
You can get the same quality but you will have to pay the same 6 to 12 months wages to get it.
As he has the receipt, sit with him & work out what the REAL cost was, you will be staggered.
then work out how many hours of work the tractor has done & what it has cost you per use over the years, usually works out around a beer or two.
If worst comes to worst, any carb from an engine of the same cubes will work on the engine, it is just a matter of bending hard wire to get it to work.
It is unfortunate that people have been brainwashed to want cheap and cheap is exactly what they get but cheap costs a lot lot lot more than expensive in the long run.
My sister still has and uses the very first petrol mower my dad bought back in 1962, if there is still grass in the city, her grand kids will still be using it.
It cost dad near a years wages when he bought it and we paid it off over 4 years.
I have several ride on mowers from the 60's & 70's that get used daily.
A 2019 domestic ride on has a life expectancy of 5 to 10 years and fools think this is good which is why they never seem to have any money.
#12
tom3
Excellent post there. See the mower in my avatar, bought new 1980, mowed with it yesterday. Cost right at $450 back then and I was making about 5 bucks an hour. Replaced an old, old Toro but that was a front wheel drive and not doing what I needed with the house and yard we had bought. You usually do get what you pay for, even now.
