VinsRJ 721 #1 Posted November 23, 2009 First off I would like to thank Charlie and Paul Pitcher for all of thier advice and help when I was putting this Clinton together. This is the original motor to my RJ58 and was in fairly good shape to start with. The bore measured out nice so I honed the block and re-sized the valve guides. I installed a standard NOS piston, NOS re-ring kit, NOS rod and NOS over size stem valves. The 3.6hp NOS blower cover decal and air cleaner decal came from E-bay. I had two NOS paper air filters in stock so one is on this motor and the other is slated for my B1290 Clinton project in the works. They are both down draft filters but IMO who cares. I personally like it when the heads and bearing plates are left raw, so I painted this motor in parts, glass beaded the aluminum parts and then assembled it. I haven't fired it up yet but it has super compression and the plug fires. Attached Image Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VinsRJ 721 #2 Posted November 23, 2009 Pic 2 Attached Image Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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VinsRJ 721 #4 Posted November 23, 2009 Pic 4 Attached Image Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bell 11 #5 Posted November 23, 2009 :notworthy: That F-M recoil looks OUTSTANDING! I bought a couple of them (that style) at Portland, to put on a couple K-91's I have laying around. I think they'll be getting the full polish like yours. EXCELLENT WORK! :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 15,918 #6 Posted November 23, 2009 That is NICE! How could you resist firing that baby up? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,040 #7 Posted November 23, 2009 GUys, I saw this motor in person and it is too nice to be used!! The pics do not do it really show how nice it is. Vince is a great guy and has a very nice kohler 7hp all done up like this one too !!! :notworthy: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TJ 171 #8 Posted November 23, 2009 Excellent! :notworthy: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clintonnut 126 #9 Posted November 23, 2009 Nice job Vince. I am currently doing a B1290 just like wallfish's for a guys RJ-35 in NJ. I painted it on saturday. Charlie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Indy w h 4 #10 Posted November 23, 2009 Holly cow that engine should be mounted on the wall with a blue ribbon next to it. WOW Indy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bitten 133 #11 Posted November 23, 2009 Man that thing is sharp. Very nice job. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suburban 550 28 #12 Posted November 24, 2009 Excellent job, Vin. A real masterpiece. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike_1951 0 #13 Posted November 24, 2009 Man if the RJ looks as nice as this motor,That will be a show peice that anybody would be proud to own Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VinsRJ 721 #14 Posted November 24, 2009 Thank you all for your nice comments, much appreciated. I really enjoyed putting this motor together. If it wasn't for Stevebo stopping by my house a couple weeks ago I might not have posted any pics. Atatched is a pic of what I started with. The exshaust valve was stuck as well as the piston. I got lucky in the sence that there was no damage. The motor locked up due to drying out. I also got lucky with the paint laying perfect. I did wet sand all of the primer on the tins but the stars alined the day I rattle canned the IH Red Valspar. There is no wet sanding or polishing to the red tins. The block was painted Dupli-Color engine enamel "Red", which is a super close match to the IH Red Valspar. Due to time issues during the summer I wasn't able to focus on the project as much as I would have liked. It ended up taking me four or five months to complete the project. Currently I am giving my B1290 with the electric start on my RJ35 the works and as luck would have it time is becoming an issue again. I'm just hoping to get it completed before spring. Again thanks to all! Attached Image Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VinsRJ 721 #15 Posted November 24, 2009 Man if the RJ looks as nice as this motor,That will be a show peice that anybody would be proud to own Funny you should say that. My wife busts my chops all the time how I start with nice simple projects and turn them into the most stressful situations. :notworthy: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coadster32 793 #16 Posted November 24, 2009 Great job on that motor!! I hear ya about time, and getting sidetracked. (yes dear) :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clintonnut 126 #17 Posted November 24, 2009 Vince, after you first run the engine (for about 5 minutes). Shut it off and re-torque the head bolts to the specs. This will keep you from having a blown head gasket. This would be a good break in: Start engine. Run at 1/4 throttle for 30 seconds. Then back down to idle for 30 seconds. Repeat this 4 times. Run engine at half throttle for 15 seconds and then let idle for 15 seconds. Repeat this 2 times. Good Luck Charlie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buckrancher 2,675 #18 Posted November 24, 2009 azz-kickin job on the motor Vince looks fantantic I do have a question most old clinton 1200's I have seen have the web foot base as I call it yours looks more like a B1290's did you switch them or is that what clinton calls a model 1200A love the recoil polish :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clintonnut 126 #19 Posted November 25, 2009 Clintons had over a dozen types of bases. It was an option. You can't figure out the model whether it is a B1290 or a 1200. There is no such thing as a 1200A. Models usually go by a 4 digit sub number. For example: 1200 2184 - found on most early RJ's B1290 1107 - found on later RJ's There were models like the 1200-128 and etc. 1200 is the basic model and the sub number tells you what options it had when you look it up in the book. Later engines went by these numbers - 498-0301-052 They changed model numbers in 1962 when Clinton switched to IBM numbers. The 498 is a later version of a B1290. The 1200 was discontinued in '62 Not putting you down buckrancher just ing you out! Charlie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whfan74 2,015 #20 Posted November 25, 2009 Vin that is one beautiful looking motor! That looks really nice and can't wait to see it on the finished tractor. That will definitely turn some heads!!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buckrancher 2,675 #21 Posted November 25, 2009 Clintons had over a dozen types of bases. It was an option. You can't figure out the model whether it is a B1290 or a 1200. There is no such thing as a 1200A. Models usually go by a 4 digit sub number. For example: 1200 2184 - found on most early RJ's B1290 1107 - found on later RJ's There were models like the 1200-128 and etc. 1200 is the basic model and the sub number tells you what options it had when you look it up in the book. Later engines went by these numbers - 498-0301-052 They changed model numbers in 1962 when Clinton switched to IBM numbers. The 498 is a later version of a B1290. The 1200 was discontinued in '62 Not putting you down buckrancher just ing you out! Charlie sorry charlie meant A-1200 :notworthy: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VinsRJ 721 #22 Posted November 25, 2009 Vince, after you first run the engine (for about 5 minutes). Shut it off and re-torque the head bolts to the specs. This will keep you from having a blown head gasket. This would be a good break in: Start engine. Run at 1/4 throttle for 30 seconds. Then back down to idle for 30 seconds. Repeat this 4 times. Run engine at half throttle for 15 seconds and then let idle for 15 seconds. Repeat this 2 times. Good Luck Charlie Thanks for the info Charlie. The jury is still out on whether or not my RJ-58 is going to be a trailer queen. The base/oil pan is original. My engine serial number is 1200 2184. Thanks everyone, Vince Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,040 #23 Posted November 25, 2009 Vince, You should just give me the Clinton and stick to the kohlers.... :notworthy: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VinsRJ 721 #24 Posted November 25, 2009 Vince, You should just give me the Clinton and stick to the kohlers.... I can do Kohlers........ :notworthy: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
