Craftsman gt18 trail mower build

This is a sweet build so far, keep up the great work!

Looks good, great attention to detail!

Alright, I fixed the fuel leak at the tank, got the brakes bled and working great!

Also the clutch spring was not great so I made use of the deck height adjustment holes and made an adjustable clutch spring/ stop so the pedal can't over extend.

Also the harbor freight winch has a goofy looking controller so I mounted it behind the dash and have the buttons come through the old amp gauge hole.

Made some exhaust out of trampoline frame I had laying around. Much better and I'm sure the neighbors appreciate a muffler. She's a ripper for sure!

You're doing an awesome job building this, I'll definitely be following along!

Thanks, here a short vid of a test drive around the property.  Was hoping we'd get some rain last night for a mud rip.

After a rip yesterday engine started making noise. Seems like the acr is sticking and causing valve train noise so I'm gonna rip it apart tonight. Hopefully I'll be able to fix it without buying a cam for it.

Hmm... I don't think opposed have and actual compression release.  At least all the ones I have opened didn't have one.  I thought I was told or heard that compression release was done by holding the intake valve open during a portion of the compression stroke for compression release.  Once the engine starts it isn't noticeable or loss of power due to how quickly it happens.  I have one that has a lot of valve train noise.  In your case it was sudden, so inspection may be needed.  Another thing, check your oil to make sure you don't have gas in it.  The carbs on these engines like to siphon gas into the block when not in use, or that it did not get too hot either way thinning out the oil.  Hope you figure it out.

I swapped a kohler v twin on the mower. Has a goofy cam with these dowels that come out while starting on the exhaust side lobes then retract when it starts but apparently there were issues with them sticking at times.

Oh wow. I was going back through your posts thinking I missed that update. Then I notice the frame change and the vertical engine. Nice. Does that engine also have the lifters where you do not adjust the valves?

Yes, it's a hydraulic lifter engine. Last night pulled it apart and acr seems ok. Wonder if lifters have air in them somehow.

Really a bummer it's making noise now because the rest ofvthe mower is ironed out and ready to go.

That's always a bummer. I know how you feel. Hopefully you can get that ironed out so you can have some fun on that thing. It's pretty darn cool.

Tough break man that sucks!

Doubtful there's air trapped as they self bleed so even if there was cavitation caused by the pickup being out of the oil for a few moments it should've worked itself out. I'd be more suspect of debris blocking flow, a "collapsed" lifter or a bent push rod IF the sound IS in the valvetrain. A dropped valve seat should be fairly obvious so I doubt it's that but can't hurt to inspect while it's apart.

Collapsed lifter, just found it. Gonna try to find a used cam and lifter set. I have a briggs 22hp intek but really don't feel like swapping engines again haha.

That's good news for bad news! Lol. Easily repairable as long as you can score the parts!

Damn the tick! Got rain last night so it's mudding time!

Disassembled the lifter, bled it and after several runs it cleared up and running great now!

Also Sunday I redesigned the throttle, was way too touchy.

Working on a beefy front axle extended as well.

Get you a big old steel bar and some stuff for knuckles man! Stock front axles are junk, and I’m not even a big fan of the J spindle design on tractors that have them built heavy enough.

Put the mower to the extreme text today on the rocks, gotta say it's way more capable than I was expecting.  On another note she needs weight up front, better steering and a guard for the belt up front.

Several times branches and such were able to twangle up by the engine and push the belt up off the crank pulley.

Almost rolled it over too lol

The steering goes one way more than the other and under major flex it will catch the hood and bind up so I'll be fixing that asap.

Very nice!  Most of the AYP Craftsman's etc. that I have dealt with of this make, all tend to turn left much sharper than right.  Curious if that is the case with yours?  Also, little concerned it looks like your gas cap is leaking on your muffler.  Loving the build.

Yes it does turn left more than it turns right, weird. I looked at the gear and looks like it's maybe clocked slight more to one aide though.

Yeah I noticed the leak as well, need to check the cap gasket and probably put a nipple and vent line on the cap as well.

You should make that your profile picture!

How are you liking the SUNF Power II's? I just picked up a set and so far really like them so curious how they are holding up for you. As soon as I was somewhat confident the tractor was going to run, I ordered up the tires. lol. Love your build btw.  

I have the same issues needing weight in the front, better steering, and the tires catching the hood when flexed out. I had to trim the rear fenders. Hate to trim the bonnet but I may have to, or widen the front axle to get the tires out of the sheet metal.

Adventurewagen wrote:

First up is tires, found the most cheap / biggest ones off Amazon.