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Craftsman Rider 12.5hp Briggs 286707 Junk or Repair Decision
#1
T
threefivezero
T
threefivezero
Hey Folks,
I have a very old (20ish years) Craftsman rider with a 12.5hp Briggs engine that's hammering like crazy, presumably a rod knock. The engine is the original, never rebuilt.
Doing some basic google searches it looks like I can rebuild it for $100? And by rebuild, I mean very basic stock piston/crank/rod/gaskets and only hone the bore. Am I in the ballpark here? It's otherwise 'good running', meaning, it has run fine for years, needs no carb work, etc etc.
Anything decent on Craigslist, as far as I can tell for a replacement mower, used starts at about $400. I have less than an acre lot and I'm not a lawn care fanatic, I just want the grass shorter and I don't care what the mower looks like.
So I have 2 questions:
1) Can I rebuild it for $100, assuming I can do it myself? (Old car guy here, just rebuilt another Chevy 350 so internal combustion engines are old hat, just never done a lawn mower engine.
2) How many hours am I looking at to pull it apart, rebuild it, and put it back together? The longer I pay for lawn care, the more the 'true cost' of rebuilding it climbs. How long would it take YOU to rebuild it?
Thanks!
I have a very old (20ish years) Craftsman rider with a 12.5hp Briggs engine that's hammering like crazy, presumably a rod knock. The engine is the original, never rebuilt.
Doing some basic google searches it looks like I can rebuild it for $100? And by rebuild, I mean very basic stock piston/crank/rod/gaskets and only hone the bore. Am I in the ballpark here? It's otherwise 'good running', meaning, it has run fine for years, needs no carb work, etc etc.
Anything decent on Craigslist, as far as I can tell for a replacement mower, used starts at about $400. I have less than an acre lot and I'm not a lawn care fanatic, I just want the grass shorter and I don't care what the mower looks like.
So I have 2 questions:
1) Can I rebuild it for $100, assuming I can do it myself? (Old car guy here, just rebuilt another Chevy 350 so internal combustion engines are old hat, just never done a lawn mower engine.
2) How many hours am I looking at to pull it apart, rebuild it, and put it back together? The longer I pay for lawn care, the more the 'true cost' of rebuilding it climbs. How long would it take YOU to rebuild it?
Thanks!
#2
J
jeff
J
jeff
Number one: If you have rebuilt a chevrolet, then this should be simple for you. You will need the specs and some way to hone the cylinder, a ring compressor, etc.
Number two: This depends on a lot of things, but I would think a competent mechanic should use four or less hours on the rebuild not counting the time to remove the engine.
Number two: This depends on a lot of things, but I would think a competent mechanic should use four or less hours on the rebuild not counting the time to remove the engine.
#3
T
threefivezero
Thank You Sir!
I have a hone and ring compressor... I guess as long as there aren't any special tools unique to this engine I'd be ok.
Did I understand your signature right that you're a shop? I guess when I google, I find like a bajillion places to buy parts. Car stuff I know where to buy that's reputable and whatnot. Can you quote parts for me for this engine? If I can do it for $100 and in a single weekend I think I'll save it...
T
threefivezero
Number one: If you have rebuilt a chevrolet, then this should be simple for you. You will need the specs and some way to hone the cylinder, a ring compressor, etc.
Number two: This depends on a lot of things, but I would think a competent mechanic should use four or less hours on the rebuild not counting the time to remove the engine.
Thank You Sir!
I have a hone and ring compressor... I guess as long as there aren't any special tools unique to this engine I'd be ok.
Did I understand your signature right that you're a shop? I guess when I google, I find like a bajillion places to buy parts. Car stuff I know where to buy that's reputable and whatnot. Can you quote parts for me for this engine? If I can do it for $100 and in a single weekend I think I'll save it...
#4
R
ronbo77
how long do you think you will be living at your home? because it would be a good investment to buy
a good top brand mower than to rebuild . your time and aggrivation ? or just hop on and get 'er done?
R
ronbo77
Hey Folks,
I have a very old (20ish years) Craftsman rider with a 12.5hp Briggs engine that's hammering like crazy, presumably a rod knock. The engine is the original, never rebuilt.
Doing some basic google searches it looks like I can rebuild it for $100? And by rebuild, I mean very basic stock piston/crank/rod/gaskets and only hone the bore. Am I in the ballpark here? It's otherwise 'good running', meaning, it has run fine for years, needs no carb work, etc etc.
Anything decent on Craigslist, as far as I can tell for a replacement mower, used starts at about $400. I have less than an acre lot and I'm not a lawn care fanatic, I just want the grass shorter and I don't care what the mower looks like.
So I have 2 questions:
1) Can I rebuild it for $100, assuming I can do it myself? (Old car guy here, just rebuilt another Chevy 350 so internal combustion engines are old hat, just never done a lawn mower engine.
2) How many hours am I looking at to pull it apart, rebuild it, and put it back together? The longer I pay for lawn care, the more the 'true cost' of rebuilding it climbs. How long would it take YOU to rebuild it?
Thanks!
how long do you think you will be living at your home? because it would be a good investment to buy
a good top brand mower than to rebuild . your time and aggrivation ? or just hop on and get 'er done?
#5
J
jeff
You could try jackssmallengine.com and if you wanted to drive to Monmouth Illinois, I could help.
J
jeff
Thank You Sir!
I have a hone and ring compressor... I guess as long as there aren't any special tools unique to this engine I'd be ok.
Did I understand your signature right that you're a shop? I guess when I google, I find like a bajillion places to buy parts. Car stuff I know where to buy that's reputable and whatnot. Can you quote parts for me for this engine? If I can do it for $100 and in a single weekend I think I'll save it...
You could try jackssmallengine.com and if you wanted to drive to Monmouth Illinois, I could help.
#6
J
jteuban
J
jteuban
Yes $100.00 sounds about right. I would rebuild if the block is not cracked, and if the mower does not have a history of burning a lot of oil I would not re-bore well unless the cylinder is scored due to lack of oil or low oil. If you look on ebay there is a kit for you that is just around 100. So yes go for it, it would be a fun weekend project. Like I said take the engine off the mower and pull the crankcase apart, and if there is no real damage to anything including the cam do it. cheers
#8
K
KennyV
K
KennyV
Do it... not only is it FUN... but you know everything else is good and you will have a Great working old machine that you have been working on...
If you can't enjoy doing a small engine rebuild... then I guess all that could be left is, setting around watching TV... (that would kill me)... :smile:KennyV
If you can't enjoy doing a small engine rebuild... then I guess all that could be left is, setting around watching TV... (that would kill me)... :smile:KennyV
#9
T
threefivezero
Lots of good input there, thank you Kind Sirs!
I think I'll rebuild! It was using maybe 1/2 a quart of oil per season (6-8 months here) and honestly it ran strong and fine until last time I mowed. Just started knocking a little, then a little more, then vibrating so bad it finally died. It will still start back up but shakes and vibrates badly.
Does the connecting rod have a replaceable bearing like an automotive engine? What is the risk that the crank is damaged?
I currently rent but am in the process of buying the home I rent/live-in. But, as much as I'd love to have a new mower, it took me nearly a year to scrounge up enough cash to put back together the aforementioned (Camaro) 350 and that was something I really really really wanted! I'm 2 years post-divorce and I started over with less than nothing so... credit isn't in my near future either. Plus I'm now 'single income 2 kids' so... even $100 for parts will have to come out of my May paycheck. *sigh*
So while this is strictly a financial decision, (if I can fix it for $100 I *have to* fix it) I also totally dig Kenny's point above, I hate sitting around and I have to always be busy. The fact that I've never rebuilt a mower engine is all the more reason to do it! My kids are 7 and 10 now and over the winter they helped me rebuild the Camaro engine and put it back in the car. The 'skills' part of doing that kind of thing as a family is possibly arguable, but I'm finding that the older they get, the more 'top secret insider info' I get out of them when we're doing something together like that. So it's a win/win.
T
threefivezero
Do it... not only is it FUN... but you know everything else is good and you will have a Great working old machine that you have been working on...
If you can't enjoy doing a small engine rebuild... then I guess all that could be left is, setting around watching TV... (that would kill me)... :smile:KennyV
Lots of good input there, thank you Kind Sirs!
I think I'll rebuild! It was using maybe 1/2 a quart of oil per season (6-8 months here) and honestly it ran strong and fine until last time I mowed. Just started knocking a little, then a little more, then vibrating so bad it finally died. It will still start back up but shakes and vibrates badly.
Does the connecting rod have a replaceable bearing like an automotive engine? What is the risk that the crank is damaged?
I currently rent but am in the process of buying the home I rent/live-in. But, as much as I'd love to have a new mower, it took me nearly a year to scrounge up enough cash to put back together the aforementioned (Camaro) 350 and that was something I really really really wanted! I'm 2 years post-divorce and I started over with less than nothing so... credit isn't in my near future either. Plus I'm now 'single income 2 kids' so... even $100 for parts will have to come out of my May paycheck. *sigh*
So while this is strictly a financial decision, (if I can fix it for $100 I *have to* fix it) I also totally dig Kenny's point above, I hate sitting around and I have to always be busy. The fact that I've never rebuilt a mower engine is all the more reason to do it! My kids are 7 and 10 now and over the winter they helped me rebuild the Camaro engine and put it back in the car. The 'skills' part of doing that kind of thing as a family is possibly arguable, but I'm finding that the older they get, the more 'top secret insider info' I get out of them when we're doing something together like that. So it's a win/win.
#10
T
threefivezero
T
threefivezero
Hey guys... long time no mow!
I limped through last summer with a $60 craigslist push mower and tonight I finally took the time to strip down the rider engine that I posted about in this thread.
The counterweight is what came apart. The piston, crank, and rod all look great. So, I'm thinking, a rebuild kit plus those pieces.
Thing is, the counterweight and associated 'wrist' thing are in so many pieces, it's not clear to me how they went together or what the counterweight is connected to. Any suggestions on where I'd find some photos that would help? I have the factory manual that has the exploded diagram, but the problem is that mine is exploded too! I need a 'completed' diagram!!!
I limped through last summer with a $60 craigslist push mower and tonight I finally took the time to strip down the rider engine that I posted about in this thread.
The counterweight is what came apart. The piston, crank, and rod all look great. So, I'm thinking, a rebuild kit plus those pieces.
Thing is, the counterweight and associated 'wrist' thing are in so many pieces, it's not clear to me how they went together or what the counterweight is connected to. Any suggestions on where I'd find some photos that would help? I have the factory manual that has the exploded diagram, but the problem is that mine is exploded too! I need a 'completed' diagram!!!
#11
reynoldston
reynoldston
A 350 Chevy. The last time I needed a used one they were getting hard to find anymore. I am a old retired Chevrolet mechanic and now have a small repair shop. Now getting to your Briggs your car engine tools like hones and ring compressors might be a little large. If you are rebuilding engines you should know what it cost if you have to have machine work done, not cheap. You should be able to buy a lot of your Briggs parts from NAPA. If it was me other then throwing a lot of new parts into a old block without any machine work I would get a used engine . You should be able to pick up a good used engine from a mower salvage for around 100 dollars.
#12
T
threefivezero
A Chevy man! Yep, the old 1st generation 350's are getting scarce... I still know of a few u-pull-it yards locally that I could get one if I needed it, but... they're harder to find every day!
Good info on NAPA, I had no idea... will run by there tomorrow and get prices. I also know a couple of lawn mower repair shops I'll stop by and ask about used engines. I hadn't considered that. Some quick searches this evening are looking like at least $150 for parts to fix this one. (Rebuild kit + counter balance parts...) I can probably get a used more on craigslist for $200-$300. Initially I couldn't spare the cash at all, but I may spring for it out of my tax return in a few weeks.
T
threefivezero
A 350 Chevy. The last time I needed a used one they were getting hard to find anymore. I am a old retired Chevrolet mechanic and now have a small repair shop. Now getting to your Briggs your car engine tools like hones and ring compressors might be a little large. If you are rebuilding engines you should know what it cost if you have to have machine work done, not cheap. You should be able to buy a lot of your Briggs parts from NAPA. If it was me other then throwing a lot of new parts into a old block without any machine work I would get a used engine . You should be able to pick up a good used engine from a mower salvage for around 100 dollars.
A Chevy man! Yep, the old 1st generation 350's are getting scarce... I still know of a few u-pull-it yards locally that I could get one if I needed it, but... they're harder to find every day!
Good info on NAPA, I had no idea... will run by there tomorrow and get prices. I also know a couple of lawn mower repair shops I'll stop by and ask about used engines. I hadn't considered that. Some quick searches this evening are looking like at least $150 for parts to fix this one. (Rebuild kit + counter balance parts...) I can probably get a used more on craigslist for $200-$300. Initially I couldn't spare the cash at all, but I may spring for it out of my tax return in a few weeks.
#13
reynoldston
You are saying a rod knock. Now that is that telling you? To the very lease a crankshaft and connecting rod. Once that is replaced you will have a lot of money in a old engine that lord knows how long it will last. If you don't have the money why not look for another old mower that you could use the engine out of. Of course you could do it the American way and go see you local friendly dealer and a dollar down and a coupon book buy a nice new shiny mower. :thumbsup:
reynoldston
Hey Folks,
I have a very old (20ish years) Craftsman rider with a 12.5hp Briggs engine that's hammering like crazy, presumably a rod knock. The engine is the original, never rebuilt.
Thanks!
You are saying a rod knock. Now that is that telling you? To the very lease a crankshaft and connecting rod. Once that is replaced you will have a lot of money in a old engine that lord knows how long it will last. If you don't have the money why not look for another old mower that you could use the engine out of. Of course you could do it the American way and go see you local friendly dealer and a dollar down and a coupon book buy a nice new shiny mower. :thumbsup:
#14
T
threefivezero
Oh how I wish a shiny new mower was in the budget! I had all that... the big house, nice comfy income, wife and kids, 2 new cars. Shiny Deere in the garage! Sadly, the American way is also to give all that to the wife even if she cheats a lot. Now I'm raising kids alone and we just make it paycheck to paycheck. No idea how I'm going to fund college for 2 kids. Mower is going to be a super cheap purchase... (I did get to keep my shiny Camaro in the divorce, but only because it was in a gazillion pieces at the time...) Amazingly, divorce was the best thing that could have happened to us. Kids and I are very close now, and while we can't go on expensive vacations or buy much cool stuff, we're a very happy little family...
I did some craigslist surfing and I can definitely get something that runs good for $200. I think I'll go that route. My old Craftsman has big holes rusted in the deck and the transmission is questionable at best. Even if I could fix it for $200 I'd be putting that engine back in a heap. Sometimes I like fix things just because I can though!
T
threefivezero
You are saying a rod knock. Now that is that telling you? To the very lease a crankshaft and connecting rod. Once that is replaced you will have a lot of money in a old engine that lord knows how long it will last. If you don't have the money why not look for another old mower that you could use the engine out of. Of course you could do it the American way and go see you local friendly dealer and a dollar down and a coupon book buy a nice new shiny mower. :thumbsup:
Oh how I wish a shiny new mower was in the budget! I had all that... the big house, nice comfy income, wife and kids, 2 new cars. Shiny Deere in the garage! Sadly, the American way is also to give all that to the wife even if she cheats a lot. Now I'm raising kids alone and we just make it paycheck to paycheck. No idea how I'm going to fund college for 2 kids. Mower is going to be a super cheap purchase... (I did get to keep my shiny Camaro in the divorce, but only because it was in a gazillion pieces at the time...) Amazingly, divorce was the best thing that could have happened to us. Kids and I are very close now, and while we can't go on expensive vacations or buy much cool stuff, we're a very happy little family...
I did some craigslist surfing and I can definitely get something that runs good for $200. I think I'll go that route. My old Craftsman has big holes rusted in the deck and the transmission is questionable at best. Even if I could fix it for $200 I'd be putting that engine back in a heap. Sometimes I like fix things just because I can though!
#15
reynoldston
reynoldston
Well the best of luck, if you could find another old craftsman parts mower and make one out of the two would be the cheapest way. I know where I live there is more junk craftsmans then any other brand mower. They are a cheap mower to begin with, people buy them just wears then out and then buy another and that is why there is so many around.