Igor, throw the switch.....

[WheelHorse_of_course 99]

:P

Some of you have heard me mention before that I blew the engine (threw the rod) on my 1969 Charger 12 (older brother of the C-120 Auto) plowing snow last Easter a year ago.

It took me half the summer to find a Kohler K-301 in my price range, and all the way till Labor day weekend to pick it up in Chicago.

I got a good deal on it $69), and a nice bonus is that it is the same year and still has the electronic ignition.

In the meanwhile I bought my 854 to get the chores done <_<

My garage is not heated. I had already moved the block over, done part of the wiring for the new instrument panel, and transfered the old starter and carb over to the donor engine. The fine weather this past Saturday got me raring to work on it on Sunday

I had been making slow progress, over the winter, getting the engine transplant done, as well as installing the front hitch, replacing the dash, and adding an instrument cluster (Volts, amps, hours).

On Sunday I hooked up the fuel lines (new), finished up the electrical work, hooked up the throttle, mounted and connected the instrument cluster, etc etc.

So as of Sunday evening the two things left before a was ready to reconnect the battery was replacing the flasher switch I had added (not enough clearance to allow the dashboard to fit properly) and some sort of, at least temporary, muffler.

I did connect the battery charger to it to verify that there were no shorts and that the lights, flasher, hour meter and volt meter all worked.

Yesterday evening I got the switch (and installed it) but could find no mufflers. At lunch today I got to the OPE Dealer that was closed when I went looking yesterday evening.

They did not have anything in stock, but told me about another place down the road I was unaware of. Well this place was great (had a 800 for sale just inside the door) and had the exact Kohler muffler that was on the original. He also had the lock nuts. He told me he had the nipples but said I should go to Home Despot to save money. So this guy will be my dealer from now on.

Back to work for the rest of the day. Got home, connected the battery, removed the spark plug and cranked the engine (on Sunday I sprayed some WD-40 and a teaspoon of oil down the spark plug hole) until there was gas to the carb (got to love the clear tubing). Put in a new spark plug, and was ready for black pipe parts tomorrow.

Well, surprise surprise, the neighbor was headed over to Home Despot and asked me if I wanted to go! Got the two nipples and elbow. Hand tightened the muffler on and....

Igor, throw the switch..... it's ALIVE!

Once I burned off the oil I had put in to to wet the cylinder wall, there is no smoke at all, and I can tell just listening to her that she has good compression. No knocks.

This baby has low hours or has been rebuilt!!!!!

And now, with an hour meter, she will get perfect preventative maintenance into the future.

OK, I know that ....

This horse is NOT much to look at, but I will see about getting you all a picture of the instrument cluster and engine.

Next I need to move the PTO over reinstall the belt cover. Full grease job and change the transmission fluid.

I need to do some work on the deck - sharpen blades, install additional anti-scalp rollers (an area where the post 72 decks are better, make a belt cover (I have one that is too long I'll cut in half.

Not sure how much I'll get done over the next few days, and then I am out of town for a week, but I'll be ready to mow when I need to.

I prefer the Charger with the 3 blade deck and hydro versus the 854 for mowing.

Cheers

:D

[Stigian 1,234]

let me be the first to offer you congrats on getting your Charger back to life

Now, wheres the pic? :D

[bambooheels 0]

i have to say the three blades are a much better cut for some reason, you would think two would have more power to the blades giving a better cut, but i have an 854 and a 312-8 and the 312 cuts much better. just my thoughts..... :thumbs:

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,610]

Rolf,

Congratulations on getting it running. I also have no heated area to work so I also have to look at warm, nice days to get stuff done. It's always nice to find a dealer and parts supplier that you can work with - not too many will send you to a cheaper place for parts. Now . :thumbs:

[WheelHorse_of_course 99]

Got the belt guards installed and changed the trans fluid and Secretariat had his first run since about a year ago.

I also put on the front hitch (that weird side mounted one for these early C series predecessors). Actually I put it on again, as I had it inside out. In the proper position the existing metal work and weld kept it from fitting very well, but a was able to "adjust" it quite nicely with a 5 Lb sledge hammer!

Hey, why don't we have a "bigger hammer" emoticon! This is the closest we have

I promise pictures soon. Does anyone know if Flickr is suitable for hosting pictures?

Cheers

[CasualObserver 3,411]

Hey, why don't we have a "bigger hammer" emoticon! This is the closest we have

I promise pictures soon. Does anyone know if Flickr is suitable for hosting pictures?

Here's the best I can do you for now....

and yes... Flickr is fine for hosting.

[WheelHorse_of_course 99]

OK, finally pictures!!

Here is the replacement new-style dash and my instrument panel (Amps/Volts/Hours):

I have also added a PTO brake. Note that since the charger has a slightly smaller PTO clutch I had to mount the brake pad on the bottom of the bracket:

I spent about $75 to add the front hitch to my $160 tractor. Yes, prior to 1972 the front hitch was optional. Interestingly it did not fit very well so some sledge hammer adjustment was needed.

OK, I think I have this picture thing figured out ....

not!

Alright, after lots of experimentation I got it! :dunno: