[MiniHomesteader]

To bring you guys up to speed, I purchased this tractor in September of 2016. It was restored by the PO a few years before and use to mow his 1/2 acre yard and blow his 50’ driveway in eastern PA. After working some bugs out of it, it seemed to be a solid tractor. Then the head gasket let go. Upon replacing the head gasket, I realized how very little life was in the engine. The cylinder was VERY worn. Approximately .024” piston to wall clearance. So I began the search for a replacement engine. About a year later I came across a Solid State HH100 out of a Sears tractor. I asked the seller if I could remove the head to inspect the cylinder as a few head bolts were already out and told him the head gasket would need replacing anyhow. He agreed and I brought some tools along to remove the head. I was amazed at how little wear was I. The cylinder. It’s actually in spec and has a standard piston in it! I excitedly gave the man the $40 he was asking and brought it home and put it on the shelf to await the inevitable demise of the original engine. I couldn’t bear to not use this tractor for my garden use and mowing. It’s just such a fun tractor to use. The next year I bought a ‘66 110 to be used strictly as the garden tractor and planned to use the 112 for mowing and snow-blowing. This past fall the engine began to smell different and it began breathing very hard. I noticed after mowing for a while if I would stop and let the tractor idle, there was an oil fog emanating from it. So now was the time. I new I had to use some parts from my original to convert the SS engine to points. So I dissasembled the SS engine and looked over everything and pulled the original engine out to look over as well. I had to reuse the camshaft and cylinder cover to retain the points ignition. Here is where I stand at the moment. New crank seals are on order and about 2 weeks out, so I’m taking some time to make the engine look new as well.

Original, tired HH100

New engine cleaned, honed, and assembly began.

Painting and installing external items. I need to cut the valves, and finish some external parts. Then once seals arrive I can finish this up and get “Bruce” back to business.

The patient awaiting his heart transplant.

 

[ckjakline]

Engine looks good. Just an F.y.i.you may already know this, but ill tell you anyway. i have a 112 that when i got it engine didn't run. i tore it down and cam was broke. i had a spare hh100 with points from a Massey. so i figured i'll throw that one in.Mounted engine and almost ready to go and pto pulley wouldn't go on.Crank was 1" Diameter on pto side instead of 3/4 so my pto pully wouldn't work. i didn't want to open up the i.d. of the pulley so i took the parts i needed from the massey and rebuilt the JD engine.

 

[MiniHomesteader]

Thanks! That’s what I ran into here, PTO side of “new” engine was 1-1/8”. I’m glad I saw it before I had it all put back together. I just reused my crank. Thankfully it was in good shape.

 

[MiniHomesteader]

Speaking of breathing new life into things. My father saved this from the dumpster a few years back and we used it today to clean up the valves. It worked pretty good. The motor is getting tired, but it did good to do the two valves. View attachment 7485

 

[Kster526]

THANKS FOR SHARING, MUST BE SOMETHING WITH THE 67 112'S. I HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH MINE AND HAD SHOVED IT IN A CORNER FOR TWO YEARS BEFORE FINALLY FIGURING OUT WHATV WAS GOING ON. NOW SHE RUNS GREAT.
GOOD LUCK WITH THE PROJECT

 

[MiniHomesteader]

Lapped, lashed, and installed the valves tonight. Getting pretty upset with Jacks Small Engines. Crank seals and crank bearing plate o-ring got pushed back another week

 

[MiniHomesteader]

After continually watching the crank plate o-ring get it’s expected date getting pushed back, I called this morning and canceled it. Crank seals will ship out Monday.

 

[MiniHomesteader]

Crank seals arrived today. Hoping to get out to the shop tonight to finish getting the engine together and back in the tractor.

 

[Kster526]

GOOD LUCK

 

[MiniHomesteader]

Got the seals in. Found an issue with the breather(mud wasp nest plugged it, and I destroyed the hose attempting to remove it), so I installed my old one. PO welded a 3/8”NPT bung onto it and used a hose barb fitting with a piece of hose on it. Should’ve known it breathed hard then. Installed the drive pulley and flywheel. Waiting for an opportunity to get back out to finish the install....

 

[MiniHomesteader]

The flywheel is spinning! Fired up immediately and purred like a kitten. Gonna let it cool down to retorque head and just a few minor adjustments and then final assembly.

 

[Kster526]

well done glad its worked out for you

 

[MiniHomesteader]

This engine starts so fast and runs great, but I can’t seem to adjust out a black fuel smoke upon throttle up. If I adjust it to where it doesn’t smoke, it stumbles and stalls. I’ll have to see if my spare carb is easily rebuildable. One spare I have has the main jet galled fast and PO destroyed the flats. Hopefully this spare is in better shape so I don’t have to send one out to carbrescue. I’d much rather just spend $20 on a rebuild kit. Although he does fantastic work.

 

[Chaser]

Carbrescue?

 

[MiniHomesteader]

www.carbrescue.com

Check out his site. He does amazing work rebuilding and repairing these old carbs.

Ballpark average is about $150 to bring an LME back to factory fresh.

 

[Chaser]

$150?! I've had good luck with the $25 Amazon/Ebay specials.

 

[MiniHomesteader]

I bought an China special for my K181. I’m just happy that I got my money back. It was junk.

 

[Chaser]

I've bought 3 of them off amazon, and had good luck with all 3. Luck of the draw maybe.
I know Brian Miller rebuilds carbs as well. I have one right now I may send to him, we'll see once I get the Junkyard Dog running.

 

[MiniHomesteader]

I’m thinking right now, I’m just gonna try some sea foam when it comes time to work the tractor.

 

[ChristianW]

View attachment 7575
The flywheel is spinning! Fired up immediately and purred like a kitten. Gonna let it cool down to retorque head and just a few minor adjustments and then final assembly.

What is the actual torque spec? I've heard anywhere between 20 and 35 foot pounds.