Todd,
I have an interesting story about a 147 dipstick. When my Dad's cousin passed away, his 147 was up for auction. It had some sentimental value to me, as I had mowed his grass with it sometimes as a kid. When I was looking it over, another guy pulled the dipstick and made the comment "looks like he was running it without the proper level of oil". I nodded and said "yea, the engine is probably trashed", knowing full well he always took great care of that 147. It was his pride and joy.
Well I got it for a good deal and have been running it for the past ten years without an engine rebuild, although it's probably long overdue.
I have another 147 project that belonged to my wife's grandfather. I had originally bought it from my brother-in-law as a part's tractor, but I'm now planning to restore it to working condtion. Did I mention I'm becoming quite fond of 147s?
Bruce