Quote:
Originally Posted by jpw1400
To characterize my level of expertise... I've never rebuilt an engine before. I've done a fair amount of car repair with the likes of brakes and alternators, replaced head gaskets and stuff like that, but adjusting the valves on this cub cadet is the most "inside" of the engine I've been. I'm on the handy side of "Joe Homeowner" (which is what I am), not quite a shade-tree mechanic, and well below a full out mechanic with a shop and all the equipment.
When I say I'll need to buy some tools, I don't mean wrenches and the sort... I'm all set there. I have gear pullers that should be able to pull the flywheel, but I don't have stuff like I'd need to hone the cylinder walls, or micrometers/telescoping bore gauge to determine if I need to bore the cylinder or grind the crankshaft, engine stand, valve spring compressor (but can borrow from auto parts store), no hydraulic press, etc.
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You don't need any of those tools. You don't need a bore gauge, cylinder hone, engine stand..... NONE OF IT. You WILL need a machine shop able to bore the block, and either grind, or send the crank off for grinding. It's not a "maybe". Those things will need done. Just hire the shop to also do the valve job, and they can install the valves when done. I'm not a fan of guys doing an overhaul on their own anymore. Just seems the "average Joe" is less capable of things than he thinks he is. Don't know if it's just ignorance, or societal "norm" now to think you can do things just because you can watch a YouTube video on how to do, or what....
Go find a shop first, then go from there. Make sure they can and will do small engines, and know about them. Oh, and if you paid someone for the entire job, cost should be between $500 and $700 depending on what all they do, it can go higher.