My Lawn Mower Repair Thread (56k warning)

[Two-Stroke]

I wouldn't think two-cycle gas would make much difference to a four-cycle engine as long as the mixture is the common 50:1. That's not much oil in the gas and the modern oils are engineered to burn completely.

The Toro Recycler does look good. My two-stroke Toro got a workout his past weekend. :biggrin:

 

[hanyoukimura]

Yeah the 2-cycle oil didn't seem to bother the engine once it was cleaned out and burned it off. starts up first pull and runs great.

The Toro, my friend was thrilled when I brought it to work. He said it wasn't his, looks too clean. :tongue:

Very happy with how it starts up first pull now as well.

 

[hanyoukimura]

The Yard Machines mower sold today, as partial trade I got a Craftsman 917.388961 mower. Same thing in essence as what he just bought except this is more powerful and has bigger wheels. It's in pretty good shape, just very dirty. It does need the recoil assembly worked on, the governor spring replaced, the wobbly left front wheel fixed or replaced, and the fuel system cleaned out, but should clean up well.

 

[johnwargo]

I have a Wheeler Grand Prix 22" model WDR 22H Looks like date code 32471 It runs but I need to replace the nylon gear in the vertical pull starter. Also need to find some kind of blade retainer to prevent the blade from just free spinning on the shaft. This mower was originally metallic gold as it's still visible under the stickers. Someone painted it green. It has a B&S 3.5 HP engine model 92908-1427-02 I think it's from the early 70's. Pictures attached
JW

Then I got this guy as a partial trade for the red MTD. Same deck as those $10 MTDs. It actually ran just not very well. Cleaning out the fuel tank, carburetor, and installing a new diaphragm solved that problem. Put a new wheel axle in to solve the wobbly rear wheel.

That little guy sold quickly too.

My latest acquisitions is a Craftsman 917-383740 3-in-1, although I can't figure out how it would discharge. This thing was a partial trade on the Weed Eater. Had super loose front wheel adjusters that wouldn't hold the mower up, and carburetor issues.

Funny thing is the inside of the carburetor itself wasn't all that dirty, far less so than some of the others I've worked on, yet it gave me quite a hard time. First it wouldn't get fuel, then it wouldn't stop leaking from the bowl. I also discovered that the oil was really thin and smelled like gas, so the first thing I did was drain it out and put fresh oil in it. Figured out that I hadn't installed the new seat all the way so the flow wouldn't let fuel in, and I hadn't cleaned the gasket surface n the carburetor good enough. It finally seems fixed, no more gas leak and it does get fuel. Will test it tomorrow and see if it can cold start without help from carb spray.

I've fixed the wheels already, and given it new oil, filter, and spark plug, so all it needs now it, assuming it starts good tomorrow, is a good cleaning and a blade sharpening and its ready to go to a new home.

As an aside, I cannot stand the backwards mounted engine. Drives me nuts!

The other new acquisition is this Wheeler Grand Prix WM-20 mulching mower. Not sure exactly how old it is, but what little information I could find puts its build date between 1978 and 1980. Hard to find any more info than that on this thing.

Right now its quite dirty, has too much oil in it, and no spark. I figure the points might need to be cleaned and adjusted, although I'm wondering about upgrading it to a Magnetron, although I'm not sure how one goes about doing that or which kit to get. Does anyone have experience with this?

Once I get it running I think I'll do a full restoration on it and keep it for myself. I've been wanting an older mower to have as part of my permanent fleet, they just seem neat.

What I'm wondering is how do I save the decals and/or get new ones made, especially for the manufacturer labels?

As far as future stuff goes, who knows, but I know for my permanent fleet I want one of those newer Toro Recycler mowers, they just look sleek and cool, and RWD, which means it can powerslide! :laughing:

I'd also like to acquire a 2-Stroke Lawn Boy. They seem quirky and different, kind of a like a Saab.

I'd also like an even older mower than the Wheeler at some point.

 

[hanyoukimura]

That's a neat old mower that needs some TLC!

Man I forgot what the garage looked like not full of mowers. :laughing:

 

[Two-Stroke]

I have a Wheeler Grand Prix 22" model WDR 22H Looks like date code 32471 It runs but I need to replace the nylon gear in the vertical pull starter. Also need to find some kind of blade retainer to prevent the blade from just free spinning on the shaft. This mower was originally metallic gold as it's still visible under the stickers. Someone painted it green. It has a B&S 3.5 HP engine model 92908-1427-02 I think it's from the early 70's. Pictures attached
JW

Those old Briggs engines tend to keep going. I have a few of them that outlasted their decks. BTW, it looks like the right rear wheel (looking from the front) is sagging -- probably the deck is rusted out -- a common problem.

 

[S.E.M.]

Good stuff, i am going to go get 2, 4hp briggs mowers. they may already run that would be great considering there for free. i just use add buying mower 5 dollars each. still learning too. thanks alot for this thread you made.

 

[twinfords]

The one thing i have tought myself doing this small engine thing is everything is for sale, another one will come along soon enough just when you think you will never see another like it. Happy tinkering.

 

[S.E.M.]

just got them few hours ago both murrays. one black, one red. hope its just bad gas will see.

 

[hanyoukimura]

This one was more a labor of love than anything. I replaced the two junk front wheels with good spares I had, did a tune up, although it already had a new plug and new blade, serviced the carburetor and fuel system, and replaced the rope. Wouldn't want to run, until I replaced the governor spring, now it runs perfect. What a difference a new, correct spring makes!

The rest of the work was just cleaning the thing. Tons of grass underneath, very dirty on top as you can see, and the paint was very faded once it was clean. At least until I worked my magic. :biggrin: