hydroharry
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2007
- Messages
- 4,377
- displayname
- Harry Bursell
Travis - that 128 is a GREAT FIND, especially for the price. I see vertually NO RUST. Some dirt here and there but for what you got it appears terrific. I'm somewhat surprised at your complete tear down. I would have recommended getting a running engine so you could drive and see what problems you have. You might want to even re-consider putting it back together the way it is to determine how the steering is, all the wiring works, how the PTO works, the drive clutch and tranny works. As Jeff noted it's a black engine and certainly appears to be a replacement, most likely it was a complete long block with carb since the air cleaner cover is also black. To bade the it sounds as tho the balance gears let go. Jeff suggested posting on the Classifieds for a used engine. If you can find a bare block and your crank is ok you might get a complete rebuild for around $500++, less if you do it yourself, but I recommend getting experienced help if you do that - ast least on here. I believe there is a place in Indiana/Ohio that sells remanufactured short blocks for under $800 which you could also consider, and use your original head, oil pan, carb, basket pulley, starter/generator, flywheel shroud and tin work, etc. After you get the engine running you can decide where you might have any other problems and fix those as you go thru the tractor. Honestly, based on the appearance of your paint and no rust that I can really see I'm not sure I'd even fully strip it down, just fix any rust, prime, wet sand and feather, and go to the final coat. I'd even consider saving the hood/dash decals. Can't see them really well in the pics but I've salvaged many by masking off and doing fine touch up painting. You can get aftermarket replacement decals which are nice, but I still like to keep the originals if possible. Oops, I can't tell really well if the back of the fenders are tweeked in - they may need to be pulled out just a tad but it's hard to tell from your pics.