Picked up a free Cub Cadet 383 Hydro!

[cdahl383]

On the surging, try going just slightly richer on the high speed mixture screw, if that doesn’t help, try going leaner. Either rich or lean can cause surging.

I tried going a little leaner last time and it got worse. Adjusted it out a 1/4 turn richer and that was worse too. I went back in the middle and it runs pretty good now. Just needs minor adjustment now.

Can the Seafoam in the fuel cause it to run a little funny? I put about 2oz in one gallon of fuel.

 

[cdahl383]

Put new fuel line on the mower today. Old line was hard and brittle as well as too short. The old line was run right against the engine cover and against the carb. Fired it up, no leaks.

 

[cdahl383]

Any idea where I could get a decent used black seat from? Not a fan of the white John Deere seat that’s on there now. Don’t really want to spend $60-80 on a new seat.

I checked FB marketplace but haven’t found one yet. The seat has 8.25” width for the mounting holes.

 

[staninlowerAL]

Any idea where I could get a decent used black seat from? Not a fan of the white John Deere seat that’s on there now. Don’t really want to spend $60-80 on a new seat.

I checked FB marketplace but haven’t found one yet. The seat has 8.25” width for the mounting holes.

I've found some decent seats (and other things) at salvage yards. Recently, I got a Kohler 19hp flywheel and a nice black Kubota mower seat for $20 each. It's a gamble to be there when people bring things in but one junk yard in my area will set small engine stuff aside from the crusher and it's first come, first served. Happy hunting! Stan

 

[Don McCombs]

Try Tractor Supply.

 

[cdahl383]

I pulled the spark plug to see how the engine was running and thought I’d double check the part number.

The plug that’s in the mower now is a NGK BR2-LM. The owners manual online calls for champion RCJ8 or equivalent. I cross referenced the plug and it comes out to a champion RJ19LM. Totally different plug. Maybe that’s causing a problem as well?

I’m going to pick up a new plug in town tomorrow and see if it runs any different with the correct plug.

I used the mower again today to cut some grass out back. It worked flawlessly. Only annoying thing is that little bit of surging it does at times with no load.

I did adjust the idle screw a bit richer and it seemed to help a little bit. I went richer some more but then it started to run worse. Seems like it likes about 1 to 1 1/8 turn out.

 

[cdahl383]

Is the carb missing a Welch plug where I circled?

 

[dgrapes59]

Again, not familiar with your set up, but I Googled it and got the below diagram. If I'm seeing it correctly, and have the correct carb, I don’t see one.

PartsTree - Home of OEM Parts for Outdoor Power Equipment

We are committed to providing you with the largest selection of OEM parts from the best brands, the best diagrams and part search tools anywhere.

www.partstree.com

Good luck,
David

 

[cdahl383]

Again, not familiar with your set up, but I Googled it and got the below diagram. If I'm seeing it correctly, and have the correct carb, I don’t see one.

PartsTree - Home of OEM Parts for Outdoor Power Equipment

We are committed to providing you with the largest selection of OEM parts from the best brands, the best diagrams and part search tools anywhere.

www.partstree.com

Good luck,
David

Yeah I didn’t see one listed either. I think it’s just a vent for the float bowl.

The little spring on the throttle rod is busted too. Maybe I can bend a little hook into the end and reattach it?

I put a new plug in the mower and cleaned the carb again really good. Took it for a test spin last night and it seemed to run better. No surging with the blades off. Will have to see how it runs once warmed up hood after cutting next week.

 

[cdahl383]

I ended up just rebending a new hook onto the end of that little spring and then reconnected it to the carb where the throttle rod connects. Will see if it makes any difference or not. Maybe it’ll reduce the bouncing and vibration of the throttle on the carb while it’s running. Must have served some function when it was new.

 

[cdahl383]

Took the mower out today to test it out again. Ran flawlessly! Didn’t stumble or surge once the whole time! Ran it for about 15 minutes and cut grass most of that time. Blades on or off it ran perfect. Pretty cool!

Now I can move on to little stuff like the steering. See if I can take some slop out and check the toe in adjustment. I noticed it also turns sharper to the right than left. I think you can adjust the drag link so it turns equally both ways.

I’m so glad I eliminated that surging though. It was driving me nuts haha!

 

[cdahl383]

Picked up a couple of nice seats from FB marketplace earlier today for just $25! Should look way nicer than the crappy one that’s one there now.

They have 11” mounting holes so I’ll have to use some brackets to mount it as old seat had 8.25” mounting holes. Shouldn’t be too difficult.

Might be able to sell the old seat and other seat I picked up for $25 or so and then the seat would essentially be free haha!

 

[cdahl383]

Got the new seat on the mower today! Looks pretty good! I moved this seat back a little bit as my legs were to crammed up before.

One of the seats came with a 3/4" piece of plywood under it for a base to mount a swivel for a boat seat. I just used that and drilled some new holes to mount it to the bracket on the mower. It was either use that or pick up brackets from the hardware store and make up something. Works fine for me.

My daughter wanted to take it for a spin in the yard. She said it was fun and the new seat is comfy haha!

 

[staninlowerAL]

I think your CC has just acquired a new owner!!!! Stan

 

[cdahl383]

I think your CC has just acquired a new owner!!!! Stan

Haha it looks like it! Now I need to get her to cut some grass with it!

 

[cdahl383]

Old and new together!

 

[Cubfriend]

You’ve turned that into a really nice machine for just a small investment. Looks like it and possibly your daughter (mowing) will serve you well in the future. Good Luck with it!