Brought back to life from the scrap bin

[Harry Paratestes]

Hi everyone just thought I'd share my most recent project...i keep trying to upload pictures but it doesnt upload them? Every other forum i am on allows pictures the same way im trying to upload them here so not sure how to fix it?

I just got this 917.378430 for free from a repair place that is goin out of business.

I cleaned the carburetor and it runs good. The self propelled lever works but stays locked into position and the only way to drop it out of drive is to let off the lever on the handle. Is this normal?
As you can see the only parts I think are missing are the air cleaner assembly. I tried searching online but all i get are air filters. Im assuming there is a housing i need for the filter to go into, isnt there?

Im also looking for an inexpensive battery for the electric start. I may keep this one or may sell it so if a battery is $100 or so Ill probably just not use a battery.
Thanks for reading my thread. Im a lawnboy fan (have several 90s 2 strokes and some newer 4 strokes) but free is a good deal lol!

 

[Harry Paratestes]

I found a battery for about $28 on ebay but wont include a charger. I found a charger i can buy for around $20. Found air cleaner and filter for $35. Trying to decide if i should put money into this nust because of the weird drive system. Its a lever you engage and not like a bar system you grab like on my lawn boys...

 

[ILENGINE]

Hi everyone just thought I'd share my most recent project...i keep trying to upload pictures but it doesnt upload them? Every other forum i am on allows pictures the same way im trying to upload them here so not sure how to fix it?

I just got this 917.378430 for free from a repair place that is goin out of business.

I cleaned the carburetor and it runs good. The self propelled lever works but stays locked into position and the only way to drop it out of drive is to let off the lever on the handle. Is this normal?

The drive control locking into gear until the bail is released was normal for that style of control. Most people would either leave the drive engaged and raise the front wheels to turn or would do a quick blip of the bail handle to release the drive, but keep the engine running.

 

[Harry Paratestes]

The drive control locking into gear until the bail is released was normal for that style of control. Most people would either leave the drive engaged and raise the front wheels to turn or would do a quick blip of the bail handle to release the drive, but keep the engine running.

Seems like a really poor design unless you have a very long straight yard to mow. The more I think about it the more i might just try to sell it as is or if it wont sell I am wondering if the engine would swap over to a lawn boy deck if i find a nice condition 90s one like my silver series ones with a bad engine. Anyone ever done a similar swap?