late model TB bronco (mtd) lawn tractor

[mcljc979]

hi all
i have a chance to pickup a 2013 14 troy bilt bronco lawn tractor that is in really nice condition (i know, it's an MTD)
for dirt cheap due it needs a head gasket and the wiring near the head has melted
i don't have the tractor yet but i was thinking to replace the head gasket myself (done it before)
and flip it but my concern is the melted wires down below
i don't know if these wires are from engine or the tractor's harness
i can't go back to his place to look at it but for $130 he can deliver it to me
i did look at it some days before and told me it needed just a head gasket replaced and wanted $350 for it
sorry i don't have a model number or what engine is in it (can't bother him he's very ill)
what do you guys think, buy try to fix and flip or pass it?
i think i can still flip it AS IS for more than $130

P.S seller is only asuming it needs a head gasket due to low compression and now melted wires

 

[reynoldston]

If that mower has the single cylinder Kohler courage they are known to have cracked blocks and that is the engine I have seen in the TB bronco.

 

[possum]

On the late models the melted wires most times are from overheating. So is the low compression on low hour machines.

 

[mcljc979]

On the late models the melted wires most times are from overheating. So is the low compression on low hour machines.

ok, is it worth to repower with a used engine?

 

[possum]

Used Courage singles are something I have never ran across. I would pull the valve cover and look in there. If no problems I would pull the head and look in there.

 

[bertsmobile1]

The melted wires have to be part of the mower as the engine wires exit the cover behind the starter motor which is a long way from the head.
The only wires in that region are the onse to the fuel solenoid and the ones to the headlamp.