I have what I've been told is a 1985 Craftsman. It is for sure a GT18. The decked was rusted out so that's gone and the engine is torn down. It was burning so much oil I had to add to it every 30 minutes or so. And Lucas wasn't slowing it down one bit. Oddly enough, it fired right up and ran great, with plenty of power. When tearing the engine down, I found that the crank timing gear key/pin was sheared off. Still there, and the timing gear did not have full travel, but significant side to side movement. How could it have run that well if the key was sheared? Obviously the valve timing would be way off. Now, I don't see how this could have caused this, but I did drop the thing. As I was picking it up off the mower, I tripped over a concrete block and fell flat on the ground. I was holding the motor about waist level, and it landed on my knee. Limped for a couple of weeks, and my knee was a cool mix of purple and green, but motor seemed fine. Anyway, here's the beast
MightyRaze, Brianator, Rustbucket Garage, JB_4x4 and ranch king pro 08 like this post
MightyRaze Administrator
2017 Build-Off Finalist
2017 Build-Off Finalist
2018 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2018 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2019 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2019 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2021 Winner of Winners
2021 Winner of Winners
1st Place Build-Off 2022
1st Place Build-Off Winner 2022
10,000 POSTS!
10,000 POSTS!
2024 Build-Off Entrant
2024 Build-Off Entrant
Age : 49 Join date : 2016-09-06 Points : 15444 Posts : 10860 Location : Oklahoma
If you still have the model tag under the seat still, post it here. Should be a 917.xxxxxx number. I'll see about the year and maybe a link to the manual if still out there.
Those tractors make excellent offroaders! You should consider entering it into the Build Off!
I doubt it would fare well against the monsters the rest of yall have! I'm really just building the engine for now. I'm considering atv tires for better traction, but I don't know what to get. I'm new to this little stuff. I'm used to working on my 9000lb truck. I know nothing about tire sizes or mounting them, which is bad considering I sell parts for a living(not tires tho).
MightyRaze Administrator
2017 Build-Off Finalist
2017 Build-Off Finalist
2018 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2018 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2019 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2019 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2021 Winner of Winners
2021 Winner of Winners
1st Place Build-Off 2022
1st Place Build-Off Winner 2022
10,000 POSTS!
10,000 POSTS!
2024 Build-Off Entrant
2024 Build-Off Entrant
Age : 49 Join date : 2016-09-06 Points : 15444 Posts : 10860 Location : Oklahoma
I can tell you that is it an 85 model, not sure when in 85. Are there #'s after the xxx910 of the model and before the 25? Looks like there may be 13? It was the 1533rd one made that year.
I can tell you that is it an 85 model, not sure when in 85. Are there #'s after the xxx910 of the model and before the 25? Looks like there may be 13? It was the 1533rd one made that year.
I don't think so. I think that's just a scratch.
Ifitaintbroke Member
Age : 24 Join date : 2024-02-20 Points : 522 Posts : 296 Location : South georgia
Those look great, but I need 23x10.5x12. They don't seem to have those. After a quick Google search, about all I can find in that size is regular turf saver type tires. I'll figure it out. Gotta get it running first anyway!
ranch king pro 08 Member
2023 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2023 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2024 Build-Off Entrant
2024 Build-Off Entrant
Age : 16 Join date : 2023-06-01 Points : 981 Posts : 461 Location : East Texas
Steering on this thing is shot. I think i want to try the volkswagen gearbox idea. Also toying with the idea of relocating the shifter. Id like to put it on the right side fender. Linkage will be interesting to say the least.
RichieRichOverdrive Moderator
2500+ Posts
2500+ Posts!
2018 Build-Off Entrant
2018 Build-Off Entrant
2024 Build-Off Entrant
2024 Build-Off Entrant
Age : 22 Join date : 2016-10-29 Points : 7020 Posts : 3898 Location : Lewisburg, KY
@Creepycrawler is thinking about relocating the H pattern shifter on his work horse to the dash with a cable shifter setup. I’m actually thinking about a dash cable shifter to Mutt for my peerless 700 winch gearbox so I don’t have to get off the tractor to shift it. Would love to see you build something like that!
Well, I just scored 2 engines for 50 bucks. A 18.5hp single cylinder intek, and a 5.5hp ohc Honda. Honda turns over good and has good compression. Not sure on the briggs, as it is electric start (with no starter).
muddybasilisk likes this post
muddybasilisk Member
Age : 15 Join date : 2024-01-08 Points : 322 Posts : 57 Location : North Texas/DFW
Guy I know had them. Said 50 for both, and he brought them up to my work. I was also offered a craftsman riding mower with no deck for 25. Might get it for parts. Has a single Briggs.
MightyRaze and muddybasilisk like this post
Ifitaintbroke Member
Age : 24 Join date : 2024-02-20 Points : 522 Posts : 296 Location : South georgia
That 18.5hp briggs looks like a beast! I've never seen a single cylinder that big. If I wasn't already building the oppy, I'd probably try putting it in the craftsman.
Brianator Moderator
1000+ Posts
1000+ Posts!
2022 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2022 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2023 Build-Off Entrant
2023 Build-Off Entrant
2024 Build-Off Entrant
2024 Build-Off Entrant
Age : 45 Join date : 2019-07-02 Points : 4474 Posts : 2385 Location : Ontario, Canada
The big singles are neat, I'm pretty sure from 13-19hp they're all 31 cubes with different carbs but I could be wrong. What's the model number of that one?
The big singles are neat, I'm pretty sure from 13-19hp they're all 31 cubes with different carbs but I could be wrong. What's the model number of that one?
This one is a 31p777. I'd definitely put it in the craftsman, but it looks like a bit of work. Plus, the oppy is at the machine shop and I already have the rebuild kit. I also don't know how good it is. Turn over good and has compression, but I'll need a starter and carb before i can fine anything else out. It is a vertical shaft, which seems to be about all I can find.
Brianator Moderator
1000+ Posts
1000+ Posts!
2022 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2022 Build-Off Top 3 Winner
2023 Build-Off Entrant
2023 Build-Off Entrant
2024 Build-Off Entrant
2024 Build-Off Entrant
Age : 45 Join date : 2019-07-02 Points : 4474 Posts : 2385 Location : Ontario, Canada
There it is a 31 cube, too bad you didn't get the carb with it as that's what makes the difference. If my memory serves me well the biggest was a Walbro 54 but they're not the easiest to get, shouldn't be a big deal anyhow even my 11 and 12hp Briggs Singles have power to spare
There it is a 31 cube, too bad you didn't get the carb with it as that's what makes the difference. If my memory serves me well the biggest was a Walbro 54 but they're not the easiest to get, shouldn't be a big deal anyhow even my 11 and 12hp Briggs Singles have power to spare
Well, I did get the carb, but it needs to be rebuilt badly. I was going to replace it but the kit was like $7 with free shipping so I'll give it a shot. I just got the oppy carb done last night.
Ifitaintbroke Member
Age : 24 Join date : 2024-02-20 Points : 522 Posts : 296 Location : South georgia