Getting 1250 back into good condition
 

Started getting the 1250 back into a good working order today. Got her into my small shop and pulled the engine. I had 2 bolts missing from the right side of the oil pan. Other than that, nothing else was much of a surprise. Going to do the cradle mod and see the condition of the pan to determine what is needed next. Going to go with solid mounts. I think the driveshaft couplers are due. I have grease oozing out of the steering box. What do I need to get it back into good shape? It has a bit of play in it but nothing ii would consider excessive. I don't feel any play in the axle pivot. I think I may need a new head gasket or is this normal for a 40 year old Kohler?

One more question.

I thought ii read somewhere that if the dipstick iis on top of the Kohler then it doesn't have balance gears. Can someone confirm this?

The quiet line engines did not have balance gears

I'd replace that head gasket and flatten the head.

That is normal for a 40 yr old Kohler that has a warped head and in need of a gasket. Be sure to sand the head flat on a piece of glass before reinstalling it.

No balance gears in that engine.

Gotta take the steering gear apart and inspect the pieces, be sure to consult a good exploded view of the the steering gear and inspect the cups closely.

Thanks everyone for the great advice. Please mention anything else that should be done while I am at this stage!

Did some frame cleaning this week and pulled the body off today. Footpads were a pain but got them off. Decided I might refresh the paint while its apart. This would be going full steam right now but I am also in the middle of 2 home remodles and Cub is at the weekend house. It makes a good escape from drywalling when the wife is not with me. ;0)

Wow Zipper, a 1250 with dual hydraulics, great deal! Looks like you’re getting’ it cleaned up nice.:beerchug:

If the oil pan threads are sloppy you can helicoil it like this;

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...&postcount=168

But if its damaged from rubbing on the frame rails you might look for a cast pan to replace it.

Oil pan gasket part # 235353-S

Pull the head and plane like others have said. Check out olds45512 video on that;

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...95&postcount=1

De carbon the head, piston top, valves and lifter galley;

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...223#post338223

head gasket, stock, 10 - 14 HP (part # KH-47-041-15-S)

Rebuild the carb;

http://mgonitzke.net16.net/tools/carb_rebuild.pdf

carb rebuild kit (part # 25 757 02-S)

Check the ball bushings at the engine drive coupling and at the transmission input yoke to see how much play there is in relation to the drive shaft ends. If either is to sloppy you may need to replace them and or you driveshaft. Jeff in PA can set you up with the solid motor mounts, drive shaft and the ball bushings if you need.

Get a set of new Points Kohler (part # 47 150 03-S)

And set the timing using the static method;

http://mgonitzke.net16.net/tools/static_timing.pdf

Make a steering wheel puller;

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...647#post362647

And upgrade your steering;

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...639#post361639

Sorry, that's all I got for now..:biggrin2:

Have fun! (drywall sucks)

the 301 aqs engine HAS balance gears. all the QL engines I have rebuilt have had them in but are removed in the rebuild

Took head off engine. I think the piston looks good!!! Let's see if anyone else disagrees.

Thanks TwoTon! I love having all the links in this thread. Super helpful for anyone searching! Your a great asset to the site. Read through your long, long thread the other night. Picked up a bit here and there from it. It shows how fast someone can go from a mild fix to a complete restoration!

OK, this sucks! I have 1 vote that it has balance gears and 1 that says it doesn't... UUGGRRHHGG!!! Which is it? Let me add serial number. 7425521. K301AQS. Spec 47581d

The pan does had a very minor amount of contact at the cradle points but I couldn't tell a difference in it from the side that still had the bolts. Only it was shiny. I think this may have been the perfect time to pull the engine and address the cradle.