Craftsman engine pulley swap

So I just got done doing a pulley swap on my 1990's 11HP Craftman.

I cut off the deck drive and put it in the origonal pulleys spot.

Problem is, the clutch now hits the engine pulley and wont let me fully clutch in, and the brakes are no longer able to be engaged.

Is there anyway to adjust the clutch so it has a shorter throw? Or will i have to cut off the pulley I welded on?

Thanks guys!

Im having the same problem, thats the only reason i havnt swapped pulley's yet

Don't know if it is due to the same issue, but we had to reverse the clutch action and change the clutch pulley to a flat one since it now rides on the other side of the belt. We run a separate brake pedal, so not sure how you would address that.

The Red arrow shows where the clutch rod originally connected. The Green arrow shows which way the pulley moves now when you let off the clutch. Belt goes on the green arrow side of the pully.

I had that same issue when i swapped pulleys on my 85 LT12 - id go to clutch or stop ( try to) and id be met with a large screeching noise of the idler pulley hitting the engine pulley .

After i locked up the stock trans, i just used another mower for a mod.

Youll be needing to modify or make a new clutch setup - youll also need something more substantial for brakes as well - craftsman brakes are terrible.

dangeroustoys56 wrote:

I had that same issue when i swapped pulleys on my 85 LT12 - id go to clutch or stop ( try to) and id be met with a large screeching noise of the idler pulley hitting the engine pulley .

After i locked up the stock trans, i just used another mower for a mod.

Youll be needing to modify or make a new clutch setup - youll also need something more substantial for brakes as well - craftsman brakes are terrible.

I will try something different with the clutch I guess. It rubs just a hair, if I had a pulley that was like 1/4" less in diameter it wouldn't rub, kind of a pain in he butt for something simple

It's nice a fast now though!

I am not even able to clutch in enough to get the wheels to stop spinning....what a scary test ride!

Need to figure something out before I Total this thing against a tree

Have you tried a longer drive belt?

Thats exactly what I did Hillbilly.

I had a 92" belt on it. IT was just too tight.

Went to the TSC hoping for a 93", but all they had was a 94", it works, but I have to let the clutch out all the way, no modulation

Looks like I will order a 93" on the 'puter.

But it seems like this swap is do-able, just need to make a seperate brake handle/pedal