Can the RMS job be done without a new oil pan gasket?

[mozer71]

Hey, like one at the RMS. Newer HT synthetics. My Lo-Boy 154 is 1971

[Stevos_loboy]

Serial number 2000111U 008784 - early or late? According to serial number look up on this site it's a 1971, but that doesn't tell me if a late or early model - Mike, I forgot to ask if you are changing the front seal as well or just the pan gasket and rear seal?

[MikeEyre74]

U018709 is the cutoff serial for the early to late designator. Looks like you got the difficult one!

[mozer71]

Hi fellows. Thanks for the investigations. My old info says 1971 was 020332 -023342. Mine is 022405 .
I was able to replace the clutch throw-out bearing fair easy.

[MikeEyre74]

His looks like a 1969 according to the serial number.

[mozer71]

Hate to say it but yes. There is a load of stuff which can be done when the engine is lifted as you have been through. We still have some mowing to do but season is sliding into colder times. I probably have a drip but not a major issue yet. A lot of this depends upon the belly deck and where the belts ride. My 3260 would be prone to having the drip hit the lead belt, so that would be diverted some way. Lots of life remaining.

[Stevos_loboy]

Thanks Mike, I was reading the SN incorrectly! Think supported rafters would pull that motor or is a hoist a must? What's the weight of the motor anyway?

[MikeEyre74]

Dunno what the weight is. It's just a tiny four cylinder though.. ain't all that much.

[mozer71]

I would lean towards 300lbs. Your rafters could be "married" by long boards bolted alongside. When I did that, I was a little fussy about how they shared the load. The lower ends were cut in traditional way to fit the headers of the wall. The way they met at the top was sort of a Keystone shape insert. I was also trying to prevent the weight of snow collapsing the roof. You will probably have two beams across acting as one beam , so as not to twist the rafters. Oh. It is cool when you get it done. If you plan to live there for years you will be glad you did it when you could.

[mozer71]

I kind of like a trolley even if a few inches. Some way to shift in/out. One of those load balancer units would help too.

[Stevos_loboy]

I know we are off topic here, but my intent is to support the rafters from the concrete floor up to the rafters with 4x4 timber. The trolley system you speak of mozer sounds like a great idea but I only want to pull the motor one time, re-install it and be done with it. However, in respect to other possible future endeavors a more permanent system would come in handy!

[Eugene]

Dunno what the weight is. It's just a tiny four cylinder though.. ain't all that much.

Long block = 122 lbs. That doesn't include the flywheel, clutch, starter/generator, or other external removable parts.

[mozer71]

These do seem light weight but there is always something else. Someone pulled an engine a long time ago, in the old section of the garage. They just nailed and bolted a cross beam across the rafters near the top. The rope was falling apart but that's what they used with a chain lift.
I just think it could be better than that. These things should improve the structural stability when not in use.

[Stevos_loboy]

Roger that Mozer! I've decided to do this work in our metal building which has 20ft ceilings, so using the over head rafters is out of the question. Heck, at 122lbs that hardly warrants an engine lift for duty - THANKS for that info Eugene! Not like pulling a 460 or 429 SCJ's of yesteryear.

Mike: Where are you at with your RMS install? Got'er back together yet?

[MikeEyre74]

My seal retainer is on the way back but still in transit. Probably be able to start tackling that next week some time when it arrives... I’ve got the other bits and pieces all cleaned up and my gaskets have arrived, so I’m just waiting on parts in the mail. My PTO belts were still in one piece but definitely showing some wear. I ordered new ones that I’m going to put on the shaft and zip tie up out of the way (Like HamiltonBob suggests) and reinstall the old ones until they give up the ghost. If I get the rest of the year out of them, that’s cool. If not, it won’t be a big repair job. We are close!