[DNF][2020 Build-Off Entry] Bearsgarage's Thrown Rod

This is my craftsman that I will be turning into a rat rod its motor is locked up it has no wiring harness and needs body work i pulled it out of the weeds after a few years so its rough but should be fun when im finished.


Approved MightyRaze Feb 11, 2020

Welcome to the build-off!

@Bearsgarage nice ags.

Thanks they might wind up on my other build off project but not sure where thats headed.

I'm hoping to have a walk around of the tractor up on my Youtube channel soon.

[adm]Per Rules and guidelines:
Entrants MUST update their thread at least monthly detailing progress, with either write-ups, videos and/or photos.

If you cannot work on the project right now, please let us know.
[/adm]

I pulled the thrown rod up onto the work platform today and tore the head off to hone the cylinder the wrong way. I choose not to tear the engine down completely but rather put it at bdc and run the hone the best i could I think it did a half decent job. This build is mostly about doing it half bottomed and seeing the end results and how long a repair like this will last when done by someone who knows how to do it right bit does it wrong anyway.

Thank you for the update!

In the last few days I've done a fair amount of work. I've started off by cutting off the rear part of the fram that i welded a rack to, it had to go. Then i flipped the front axle to get an idea on how i want to go through with the rest of the build. I turned the engine around to make some room in the front to mount a gas tank. Lastly i found some foot boards and put those on.

What are those hubs? Looking good, progress is progress. Also, I'm assuming you're just using that axle for mockup, and know that a flipped axle doesn't play well with c clips or steering geometry? lol

Richie those hubs are off of an old dixon zero turn with a 4 on 4 pattern. Yeah that axle was for mock up for the height I'd like the frame to sit.

last week was a very productive week. My buddy was off work for the stay home order and he let me use his shop so i could weld my frame and we ended up just doing some extra so we could just ride it around.  However that got cut short because the engine got extra hungry. He made a call and we picked up a mower his friend had that just happened to be the same as mine but had a kohler on it hope it can take more abuse than the briggs.

Wow, that cylinder head picture belongs in the Fail Thread for sure!

I was hoping it would live up to its name but thats just disappointing.

Anything new to update?

I finally sourced a new engine for free pretty much the same as before just a little less powerful
.

I have generally used older flat head engines on my equipment, somewhat because I worry about the rocker arms and valve gear holding up on OHV engines, but also because I usually just use what I can get for nothing. On the other hand, some people run the heck out of the newer OHV stuff with no problems too. Seems to be just a little more likely to have problems that the flat heads. I guess at this point the really old stuff is getting a little bit less common, but so many lawn mowers sit around un-used for years in garages and outside that it'll be quite awhile still before we run out of parts to play with.

Oh well, part of the fun is breaking stuff and then trying to fix it or make it better. Wonder if the keepers just jumped out at high rpm or what?

I think the the valve shot through the spring retainer. Once I can get the garage cleaned up I'll make a video showing the damage I did.

Nice! I always like to see some serious engine damage video and/or pics.

Found some time to tear into that engine. This is what i found  the head is junk valve guide broke i shot the valve through its retainer it then fell into the cylinder. Bunch of dents and marks on the piston. It's now a parts motor.

I've been contemplating cutting up the hood and turning the sides around. I don't know why I waited, I think it looks great.

Don't forget to update!

This month I've made no progress, getting things made for my wedding has taken over my garage. However it has been on my mind that the way I'm trying to cut up and sit the body it might be hard to bail. That has me thinking i should set up a seat belt and roll bars

It has been an interesting last few months i got married, my best friend got married and between the two i didn't get time in the garage. However i did manage some time to cut the body a little more to sit on the frame.