Another project

[RanchsA]

Recently picked up a 123 to add to the group. This one is a non runner I picked up for $50. Fella I bought from thought the motor had been rebuilt and the restore was never finished and it sat for 6 years if I remember right. Looks like the deck had received some attention at that point as well. Both the engine and deck have "newer" paint on them. Hoping to get this one up and going as full time mower. Still thinking about throwing some fresh paint its way to clean it up a bit.

[BigBill]

Great price, my 104 sat in a shed for decades. It rusted and looked bad. I purchased it with a snowplow and mower deck. I got it home and stripped it down. I took the head off the engine and she had a stuck valve. I freed the valve and the honing stone marks were still present from new. She has new paint and runs like new. Such a deal.

Btw, every used cc I buy needs a headgasket.

I purchased a 100 in a deal and the PO said the engine was newer. From its looks and sounds I said no way. I was getting ready to replace the 10hp. The s/g failed. I found out where the rattle was coming from. The rear sleeve bearing wore out on the s/g. The engine is now super quiet. I till the garden twice a year. I also have a 122 and 70 with new replacement engines. Can't buy these engines anymore.

[T-Mo]

Being it's the K-301, parts will be readily available for the engine. The 7 hp Kohler is the one it's hard to find parts for and can be more expensive.

I had a 123 once, it was my snow plow tractor. I like the looks of the 102, 122 and 123 tractors, but I really like the looks of the 70 and 100.

[Stanton]

Nice score on the 123. Let us know how you progress.

[RanchsA]

Funny you mention the head gaskets. My 108 and 125 were both leakers too. I'm thinking I may want to "doll" this one up a little. Don't want to get to carried away though since I'll have an 11 year old mowing with it. But I guess these little tractors were designed for the "most destructive force in the world." I just need to watch it because I tend to get a little carried away the more I rip into them and want to start adding options. Thinking I'll put lights into this one and that is it. I have a rear lift with helper spring and creeper on the 108 and the 125 has the rear lift and helper spring. So I need to remember this one is going to be a mower.
This weekend I'm hoping to go through the carb, clean out the gas, and see what I can do for tires. I have been wanting Ag's for the 125 and 108 so the 125 may get her ags first and I'll swap the turf tires over to this one. I have some IH white in the barn still so I'm probably going to clean up the hood and rims quick too. Hoping that is enough to keep me out of trouble for the weekend. While the paint is drying I can see if I can get her to fire.
They guy I bought from had a frame, hood and round fenders sitting there too. So I'm thinking a 70 or 100? Did another model have the round fenders? I don't think it was an O because the frames were a little different right?

[T-Mo]

Fenders were an option on the Original, 70, 100, 71, 72, and 73 models. Those would have the round fenders as an option. The 102, 122, and 123 were the first CCs to have fenders as standard equipment, and they were the square off ones.

[BigBill]

Here's my cc 70 with the replacement 8hp kohler.

http://www.tractorshed.com/gallery/tphotos/a131307.jpg

[BigBill]

Here's my cc 70 with the replacement 8hp kohler. It has the 31"-1550-15 tru power rear tires and the Miller tire five rib front tires.

http://www.tractorshed.com/gallery/tphotos/a131307.jpg

[RanchsA]

I like that 70. I missed one of those about a year ago. Ended up with the 108 and the 125 followed shortly after since the fella selling wouldn't take the tillers gear box off the 125.
Well we have the carb off and soaking. Rebuild kit for it will be at auto parts store in morning. Little bit of grease (both elbow and petroleum) and the front tire is holding air again. Tank is drained. Giving it a vinegar soak to clean out gunk. Have the throttle cable soaking in wd40 to loosen it up. Hopefully gives loose otherwise that may be my hold up hearing it fire. Oil in it looks brand new so I'm thinking it is on fresh rebuild like po's grandson thought. Ordered ag tires from eBay. Cheapest I could find. Deestone 6 plys. Those will go on the 125 and I'll move the turfs to this one. That'll leave me with a backup turf. Then I'll move to the shed and change the rear end fluid and filter. Then maybe some disassembly and a little paint. Want to make sure it'll run descent before I worry about looks. I like the dealer sticker on it might try and figure out how to preserve that. Steering wheel leaves your palms black so I'll replace that and the seat. Did these have the rubber or fiberglass seat originally?

[RanchsA]

Well I had a little hold up, had to go into work Saturday for the afternoon. Although the A/C in the office was sure nice compared to the heat outside, since I wasn't smart enough to park it in the shade. I did manage to get the fuel system all put back together Saturday night though. Sunday morning I went out hoping to hear it her pop to life. Installed the battery and turned the key a very faint clunk. So we fiddle with it a bit and finally the s/g started turning it over but nothing. So I pulled the plug to check for spark. Once again the s/g would not roll motor over. I did notice as I was back and forth on the key to try and roll it over the plug was sparking very week as the key hit off. I was not getting steady voltage at the generator but I was getting voltage at the coil. I'm kind of thinking the switch or solenoid. The key drops out of the switch on its own so I'm thinking that will get replaced no matter what. I don't have a ton of experience with the electrical, I know just enough to be dangerous. Any tips? I did find a wiring diagram. Not sure this rig could get much simpler (which is probably good considering my lack of experience).
Edit: I also am noticing now that I have a mysterious engine kill switch on the left side of the dash tower that I can't seem to find on the parts lists or wiring diagrams... I'm going to guess this is an p.o. add on? I cannot find any pics on google of other tractors with this "option". You can see a portion of it just below the battery holder in pics above.

[RanchsA]

Well we have her running. Thing runs great. Cleaned the points up and removed the add on kill switch and it took right off. I have a new key switch coming and bought a new solenoid as well. The solenoid isn't engaging with every key turn. I'm getting power on key switch at the turn but not always at the solenoid. So when switch shows up I'll replace place both. Other than that I'll swap out the fluid in the rear end and I may start cleaning it up. I have to swap out the tires on the 125 and put the ags I picked up on that since it is a tiller.

[RanchsA]

Working on the pto clutch now it was froze up so I disassembled the clutch and cleaned. I have went through and reassembled with the gauge that comes in rebuild kit. And put the clutch back in. While spinning by hand and coming on to the compression stroke the clutch slips. Is this normal? Or do I have the fingers set a little to tight? I used it to haul around a little yard wagon today and except for the gas having a lot of gunk in it from the tank it seems to run fairly descent. The nasty gas is where I’m going to blame the feeling of low power for now. Still contemplating a “new” tank. Was hoping running it a bit would clean out this one though. The little fuel bowl is definitely earning its keep for the time being though.

[BigBill]

Did you change the headgasket? Add seafoam to the gas tank and crankcase oil. It will free and reseat stuck rings and lube the dry valve guides. One tank of gas with seafoam she will run like a new machine.