1st post, new to me 1973 Cub 154....

[Jbwhitaker]

Hi all!!! This is my 1st post on the forums. Just picked up a 1973 154 with a Woods belly.mower. I'd been looking for something along this line for some time. Happened to pick this one up as a "project" for the fall/winter.
A little about me: I was a GM/MB dealer mechanic for years before moving into management. Still enjoy working on, repairing, and restoring "stuff". But have become somewhat limited due to old age and medical issues....
So far I see nothing intimidating mechanical wise on the Cub.
The Cub: It's a non-op project. The clutch flywheel is broken off at the hub. Clutch brake assy is broken off. It had already been welded up once. Allegedly it's only been sitting "a couple of years". So I'm figuring it's been down for 10+ years!! Engine does turn over with starter/gen. Engine, Trans, and rear show normal type seepage due to age. Rad and fuel tank were drained when stored and are clean.. I'm going to clean her up. Hit all the zerks, fluids, filters, tune up.items, and see if I can get "a pulse" out.of her while im waiting on clutch parts.... I'm prepared to and will probably end up doing a full restoration on her in the end..
Great forums here!!! Lots of technical info and polite.members!!! Sorry for the length of post......
John W

[Eugene]

Welcome. One more post and you can down load the free manuals. Quick links, upper left on this page.

First thing, repeat FIRST THING, prime the oil pump before attempting to start the engine. The engine frequently loses it's prime after sitting for a long time.

Next thing, compression check. Stuck valve(s) common after sitting for a length of time.

[Jbwhitaker]

Hi Eugene! Thanks for the info re: manuals. And also for emphasizing the importance of priming the oil pump. I've got that on my pre-flight checklist already. My son has a pressurized pre-luber I was planning to plunb into the oil pressure switch port.
Also plan on lubing the governor and checking for freedom of.mvmnt there...
What is considered an acceptable dry compression reading on one of these engines???
Many thanks!!!
JohnW

[Gary Dotson]

While the pressurized pre-Luber will certainly do the trick, it’s easier than that. Just remove the oil filter cover, you’ll see a hole just below the cover, using a squirt can or syringe, squirt oil in that hole. Turn the engine, by hand, and watch for oil to push back out.

[Eugene]

What is considered an acceptable dry compression reading on one of these engines?

Initially, what you compression test for is cylinders with stuck valves. Very common.

55 - 60 psi on all cylinders should get the engine started. After you get the engine started and running, work the tractor for several hours - put a load on the engine. 70 psi engine will run and work but weak.

120 psi is considered a new engine. My 154 reads 105 psi dry, on all cylinders. Tractor runs and works well. Thinking that if the compression drops to 95 - 100 psi I would overhaul the engine.

[Jbwhitaker]

Wow these old gals don't run a lot.of.compression!!! Hopefully valves aren't stuck.... My luck they will be though.
Looks as though It has a rear seal leak.... If I end up having stuck valves too, I'll just.pull it and go through it.... Take what maybe 45 mins to pull and hang on a stand??? All the gaskets/seals are fossilized anyway!! Lol..... Thanks for all your help Eugene!!!

[staninlowerAL]

If you are talking about the rear engine seal, contact tst forum member for an upgraded seal retainer with a new seal installed. The ones available do not work properly, the seal spins in the retainer. JMHO Stan

[Don McCombs]

Link to Tim’s (tst) ad…

viewtopic.php?t=115506

[Jbwhitaker]

Many thanks gents!!! Rear seal spinning g In the housing... that's a big bummer!!!! Appreciate the link, I found his ad on "the vine" earlier today. Call me crazy but I like to research rather than dive in "cold" and ask dumb questions!! You guys got 48 pages of info and I've read quite a bit.of it. I'm prob gonna start on her this weekend. Too blame HOT out there!!
JohnW

[Dale Finch]

Guess you have probably already discovered the HOW TO section...great reading & lots of good info!!

[outdoors4evr]

While you are working on the clutch is a great time to pull that rear main seal retainer and ship it off to TST. He does a great job on these.

[Jbwhitaker]

Yes I've found the "how to" section... Lots of good info there as well!! I'm planning on a full reseal given the looks of things... If rear seal plate needs to b sent off, then to TST it will go!! Supposed to cool off a bit in SC this weekend. May get going on her... This to all for the help/info thus far!
JW