pacer 3,177 #1 Posted March 15, 2014 In a recent post I mentioned getting two C-175s, neither running, one originally had an 8 spd that had been robbed, but other wise complete (no deck) to have for a parts source and the other an auto roller that appeared complete with a decent looking deck. The auto was described as "all it needs is a coil and I'm not gonna pay $150 for one, etc" I wanted the auto and when I found the other one without a tranny and I could get into both for a total of $300, I drove the 130 miles to see the auto. Owner keeps saying "all it needs is a coil ...." so I haul it home. When I looked at it I could only rotate the KT-17 about 1/2-3/4 revolution because of the sticky belt sitting in a rusty pully and a screen over the flywheel - I know, I know, that was my first mistake... I get it home and want to see if it really doesnt have spark, so I remove the belt and take the screen off to rotate the flywheel with a ratchet - can anybody guess what happened?? About 340-350° rotation and it LOCKS up! Aw man that guy fed me a line and I believed every bit of it! Quickly determined peering thru the spark plug hole that the front cyl had something strange inside it. So I set it aside and chalk it up as a lesson learned. I cked out the other KT-17 and it ran really nicely so I put together one tractor from the two. Today I decided to just see what that was in that front cyl - figured it was piston chunks. didnt take but a few minutes to get the head off and --- I couldnt believe my eyes! A dirt dauber had built a nest in there! The stuff on the paper and the light colored spot in the lower right of the head --- How in the world did a wasp get in there?? The only thing I can figure is the guy was fooling around with getting spark and had the spark plug out and screwed it back in when he put the ad in CL, but still.. for a wasp to find that little hole and to get a fair sized wad of mud packed in there... The good news is the cylinder, head and valve are in excellent condition after cleaning up. I guess the guy was being truthful after all - we'll see over the next few days when I can get it reassembled and get some spark to it - I think it will be alright. Still, was a good lesson learned... What it looked like when I got it (took the deck off) The guy in the bandanna was the owner This is the marriage of the 2 into a pretty decent C-175 with a nice Eaton 1100 - I'll have to find something to do with the 'dirt dauber' motor - I've already got something in mind, but thats for another post. (and yes, that is a real Nelson muffler in really good condition, thats almost worth what I paid for the tractors - love those things, sooo quiet!) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 59,990 #2 Posted March 15, 2014 Got a free garden tractor several years back because it had no spark, Turned out roaches had nested in the points while they were open, Pulled out the nest and mowed with it for about ten years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
groundhog47 347 #3 Posted March 15, 2014 (edited) I am just tickled to death for you. Who'da thunk it! That KT17 (M) sounds so GOOD and I knew you'd get it purrin' Can't wait to see what happens on the T&M frankentractor; I know it'll work out great if the Sunstrand is serviceable or will you go 8 spd. Edited March 15, 2014 by groundhog47 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,532 #4 Posted March 15, 2014 I love when one of us take what is on the way to being scrap and saving it. Nice job !! A little paint and that will be a really nice machine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dewdew 10 #5 Posted March 15, 2014 I'd say you got a pretty sweet deal. That's great!! Looks like warm weather in those pics I can't wait for that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wishin4a416 2,191 #6 Posted March 15, 2014 Couple nice units there. And if both motors run, real nice. Could be the wasp got in through the muffler if the exhaust valve was in the open position. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,498 #7 Posted March 15, 2014 What a deal!,,,,and how crazy of a thing to find. Cant wait to see the final project. Glenn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Uncle Buck 246 #8 Posted March 15, 2014 So did the wasp enter through the muffler then make it past an open exhaust valve to get into the cylinder? That is the only thing I can figure unless it was stored with no plug in it.......... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Howie 899 #9 Posted March 15, 2014 Have seen them do it in a muffler! Hard to pull anything thru there with it plugged. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lane Ranger 11,395 #10 Posted March 15, 2014 I have been picking off mud dauber nests in about 15 locations on this 1958 RJ I bought in Oklahoma and brought back to Indiana last week! You can see one on that right front tire right above the hub! I keep finding them everytime I start working on the tractor. I am fearful they are going next in my garage !!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
can whlvr 994 #11 Posted March 15, 2014 could also get in if the air filter was off and the valve was open? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pacer 3,177 #12 Posted March 15, 2014 Actually, between groundhog47 (he was with me) and me going over - and over! - that day talking to the owner, we're certain (almost) that he had removed the spark plugs fooling with trying to get spark and had left them - or the front one - out for some length of time and when he ran the ad decided better put the plug/s back in not realizing the little critter had done its deed. The plug hole would be visible and accessible with only a short distance to go and build his house. The muffler route is is out, getting thru that Nelson all that distance just wasnt gonna happen, and the air cleaner was mounted. The dirt daubers down here are a nuisance but arent at all aggressive - now the red wasps building their paper nests are sumpthin else!! and does their sting hurt -- woooeee! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,976 #13 Posted March 15, 2014 (edited) Very good deal after all. With a little paint and detail work your C175 Hydro will be a sharp looking tractor. I hope the other KT17 runs well too. Let us see your C175 after you get some red on it. Edited March 15, 2014 by Wheel-N-It Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
