Blown John Deere stx 38

[jarrettseiple]

I inherited an old mower and it has treated me well, and I thought I had done the same to it, but yesterday the motor became extremely loud and vibrated like crazy right before it got a bit of a knock.
It has a Kohler command 13 engine....should I just get a parts mower and swap engines since rebuilding it would be about the same amount of money and a lot more labor?
If I get a donor mower for motor transplant...
I have a lead on one running stx for $250, but its from a mower wheeler and dealer, and another stx that has "serious wiring problems" for $150. I'm going later this week to look at them...the wheeler and dealer looks like its been in the weather all its life and the one with wiring looks like its been kept in a garage or shed. Just don't want to get the wiring just to find out that the motor is bad as well.
will a Kohler 12.5 match right up to where a 13hp went?

Any insights on which way I should gamble would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
-Jarrett

 

[jarrettseiple]

I couldn't stand the suspense, so I pushed the dang thing into my shop, changed the oil one last time, tried to start it, and it wouldn't hit a lick, and I heard a loud clunk in the engine every time it tried to turn over. I took the head off and cylinder wall seemed nice and clean, head gasket looked in good shape, but I believe the bearing is shot. What makes me think that it's even more true is that gas has been leaking into crankcase ever since I got the mower.
Going to get parts mower later this week, swap engines out, then later on, rebuild current one.

 

[buickanddeere]

The used motor with be little better than the old motor. New engines with warrenty are low cost at smallenginewarehouse.
After using a hydrostatic mower, the gear drive equipment has less appeal . TractorData.com John Deere STX38 Yellow Deck tractor information