ENGINE SWAP!!??

guzzijohn · Aug 27, 2018

I have an '03 Yard Machine 21/46 auto-engine good but the rest needs a lot. Have possibility to acquire similar vintage Craftsman LT 1000 17.5/42 hydro w bad engine. I was assuming they both had MTD origins but surfing says the craftsman is Roper(of course they've been sold to someone else. Digging for mounting bolt patterns show both the single and twin have same pattern but turned 90 degrees?? That is no biggie as I've been wrenching/fabbing all my life. I got the YM free and can swap a freebie chipper for the CM. A v twin/hydro project is enticing. Looking at parts diagrams of chassis shows similarity. Maybe I should just buy all the belts, bearing, idlers, and whatever to fix the YM but? Any guidance from you Tractor Gurus would be appreciated. Thank you, Guzzi John-Champlin,Mn

jaxs · Aug 27, 2018

With a bad engine the Craftsman should be dirt cheap. If tires are good, I'd go for it. Tires are marketable. I've had 2 LT1000s,both had hydro-trans,one had Briggs,other had Tecumseh. I believe engines are interchangeable.

guzzijohn · Aug 31, 2018

Here are a few pix. Derelict chassis, washed LT, blown single, good twin. The very worn Yard Machine had brand new front tires-amazing what people will do. Even though Craftsman isn't exactly a high end machine the difference in quality between the two is marked. Just the front ends-plastic bushing vs metal w zerks. I watched some videos about the hydro and will put the drain in to flush it.

Tractor Seabee · Sep 1, 2018

Look at a HF Predator engine. They are getting good reviews and price is right.

Ron

tomplum · Sep 1, 2018

Yep, the twin will go in, easy? Usually both sets of mount holes are in the frame as the HOP is offered with the twin as well. You will have to fab the muffler mounting and hopefully will have clearance in the HOP frame. If not fab those pipes or figure them in the price. Longer throttle control cable, may be some choke mod or add a cable if it had a separate choke cable on the twin. The six pin connectors should be compatible however the single could have had a separate lighting circuit that can be redone. You may need to figure a new stack pulley in the price as the twin is likely a 1.125" shaft VS a 1" in the single.

guzzijohn · Sep 1, 2018

Holes match, exhaust might even fit frame hole, donor cables will work, electrics match, pulleys are same O.D. & height. Thought about cast axle(on C.L. here) if straightening doesn't work out. I'll see about mounting the bigger tank too. Ok guys I'm an old newbie! What do HF & HOP mean? Must be secret tractor talk!!??:confused3:

tomplum · Sep 1, 2018

Watch the pulley close as the MTD pulleys match their special cut belts. HF = Harbor Freight and HOP = Husqvarna Outdoor Products. HOP is the end result. IE Roper to AYP (American Yard Products) then HOP.

guzzijohn · Sep 1, 2018

Should've guessed the HF but House of Pancakes?? Just went and got used cast axle($40 w spindles). Nice guy- very up on the saga of machine histories-i.e. B&S moving to the Peoples Paradise circa '05. Now we know why late model Inteks blow up.

Ken · Sep 1, 2018

Recently had a L125 jd mower with 22 hp twin engine 500+ hours.begin to bend push rods . then blow smoke and burn oil . removed and installed twin Kohler 16 hp engine from a Toro walk behind mower unknown hours but the deck was worn out.
Now the Kohler runs good and bolt pattern same as jd noticed that engine is stronger than 22 hp engine . instead of lugging down in tall grass the governor on Kohler will increase to continue mowing.

Only problem is the red color engine on a green tractor.
ken

guzzijohn · Sep 1, 2018

Was that an Intek? The fellow I met said US vs Chinese Inteks different internally. I'm going to keep surfing about Inteks, I did see other mentions of bent push rods- gotta be ****** material!

tomplum · Sep 2, 2018

House of Pancakes. That could stick!

The push rods bend on these when the valve guides migrate usaually.

Ken · Sep 2, 2018

tomplum said:
House of Pancakes. That could stick! The push rods bend on these when the valve guides migrate usaually.

Unless I read incorrectly. the valve adjustment is .004th. and the push rod could be used as a swizzle straw. Have seen where the valve seat is loose and wears the aluminum until engine needs replacement.
Had this old Kohler proline 180 traction unit at least 25 year old engine type MV16S Heavy and built tough. Since mower was in good shape and only needed a engine used this Kohler. direct replacement on holes and output same size .also the throttle and choke cables was used.
this 16 hp engine has as much or more torque mowing as the original engine. runs quieter. Satisfied with the swap.
ken

guzzijohn · Sep 4, 2018

Ok, cast axle swapped in, fresh front tires from donor look nice. Will wait on any hydro work until I see how it operates. Ready to mount engine. Read a horror story by B&S worker stating management would do nothing about quality issues! This engine is an '03 so maybe they weren't shipping crap back then. Any fixes for known problems? Visible issues under valve covers? If Inteks are grenades what would be best replacement to hunt for? During my career wrenching at the U of MN I really liked the Onans on the welders I maintained. We had Cushman 3 wheelers too-their motors were robust as well but both horizontals. These projects are just to keep me occupied not make money. :stirthepot:

radios1 · Sep 4, 2018

guzzijohn said:
I have an '03 Yard Machine 21/46 auto-engine good but the rest needs a lot. Have possibility to acquire similar vintage Craftsman LT 1000 17.5/42 hydro w bad engine. I was assuming they both had MTD origins but surfing says the craftsman is Roper(of course they've been sold to someone else. Digging for mounting bolt patterns show both the single and twin have same pattern but turned 90 degrees?? That is no biggie as I've been wrenching/fabbing all my life. I got the YM free and can swap a freebie chipper for the CM. A v twin/hydro project is enticing. Looking at parts diagrams of chassis shows similarity. Maybe I should just buy all the belts, bearing, idlers, and whatever to fix the YM but? Any guidance from you Tractor Gurus would be appreciated. Thank you, Guzzi John-Champlin,Mn

the Craftsman LT 1000 and many other Craftsman tractors use a pressed steel front axle, which is junk, and it would be amazing if you found one that the welds didn't split on, and break.. there is a cast iron replacement for that, that was used on a different model, I got one cheap off ebay, it fit perfectly..

guzzijohn · Sep 4, 2018

I'm way beyond that. Read today's post.

tomplum · Sep 5, 2018

The Intek twins are better than the singles. Sure, an occasional one will have a valve guide that migrates, the rocker comes loose on few too. Your time is best spent watching that the air filter isn't sealing tight top the air box and letting the engine ingest dirt and keeping the oil level up. Their normal demise is dirt ingestion, increased oil consumption and a broken connecting rod set. Looking forward to the progress reports.

guzzijohn · Sep 20, 2018

All done & ready to mow. New spindle brgs & blades plus a little paint on deck. The thing was obviously meant to take various motors so easy swap. It has been temperamental in the electric safety switching. It would start but die if brake released or pto lever moved. I unplugged and jumped the switches but it cranked wo firing. Plugged switches back in and now works normally. Do you believe in GREMLINS!. The seat's a little shabby but good enough for my butt.

KubotainNH · Sep 20, 2018

Good job. As mentioned, this unit can take different motors. Mine has a horizontally opposed Briggs twin on it. Mine has a big fuel tank under the seat, the battery is where the fuel tank is on yours. I really like the variable speed on mine, I hardly ever use the clutch and brakes.