Should I save my 1450? At a crossroads :(

[USMC_SGT]

Let me start off by saying, a big part of me loves this old tractor, but I am at a crossroads and need some advice from fellow CC members.

I have a 1977 Cub 1450. I bought it insanely cheap 5 seasons ago and it has been treating me well until this year. And I have to admit that I haven't had the funds previous year to fix some issues before it was too late (even though it may have been too late before)

The motor needs a rebuild (not sure if it has been before)
Carb needs to be replaced/repaired (throttle shaft is loose!)
Steering is shot, column, tie rods etc....
hydro relief valves need rebuilt/replaced
Deck (44A) needs a complete overhaul (2 of three bearings are shot)
Wiring is pretty well beat up
Needs paint

In any case I have sourced most of the parts, and I love this tractor....until it came to clicking the button on almost $1500 in parts.....

The up side is that it still runs, and I have been cutting grass with it this season. It has started dieseling bad on shutdown and smoking on startup.

I am open to opinions, suggestions etc..

All the "new" mowers seem so flimsy and cheap with the exception of the mowers in the $4500+ range....but Im afraid to put 1500+ into something that every year parts seem to get harder and harder to find.

Thank Fellas!

Jon

[gsomersjr]

It sounds like it's time to put it to rest and find another Cub. A nice 1810/11/12 or a Cyclops should be less than repairing the 1450.

[CubDieselFan]

I do not have any experience with this series, but a lot here do. My advice would be find a donor tractor that some of the things you need are good. I would rebuild or get the engine rebuilt and it will be good for another 20 years or so. Your first instinct not to buy a new is a good thing, stick with that. Hope some of this rambling helps.

[USMC_SGT]

Rambling is what I am looking for I suppose, I do realize there is no "real" answer. I do tend to get irrational trying to save certain things I love.

I have looked and looked (essentially the last year) and finding an older cub near me at a reasonable price seems to be nonexsistent.

[USMC_SGT]

Originally Posted by gsomersjr

It sounds like it's time to put it to rest and find another Cub. A nice 1810/11/12 or a Cyclops should be less than repairing the 1450.

I found a nice cyclops (1863) local to me with 200hrs, but the guys wants an insane $2k for it....hoping he calls me back with a significantly lower price....but I douubt it would really happen.

[sawdustdad]

Would the 1810/11/12 be in significantly better condition such that a bunch of repairs would not be required?

I'd fix the 1450. Most of the steering can be done with little cost--tighten up the gear box, regrind the follower stud and replace the tie rod ends. Done for under $20.

Then, tackle the mower deck. Find a donor deck, and swap spindles or just use the donor deck--usually avail for under $200.

Rebuild the carb and install a replacement bushing for the throttle shaft. Cost under $20.

Send the relief valves off for a rebuild, I think about $150. there is a company that advertises on ebay. Someone else will post the actual company. or check the technical section.

Run the engine as is, so it smokes a little. Use 40wt oil if you need to.

Deal with the engine, next winter. Should be able to do it for $250 machine shop time and under $200 for a kit.

That's less than half of your original $1500 estimate. I'm not familiar with the CCC tractors, so I can't comment on the value or durability of an 1810, etc. But the 1450 is a very nice tractor and worth the investment, IMO.

[ol'George]

Can you do most of the work yourself?
If so then it is not too bad.
Most of what you list is not to hard to take care of.
Don't look @ it all together,-- look @ it as one job @ a time.
Most ppl have to job out the engine, but you can save there by doing a lot of the parts removal yourself.
If the deck spindles are the tapered bearing type, they are inexpensive as they are automotive wheel bearings.
The carb will slop a lot and still work till $$ permit repair.
I have a 10 hp that is so sloppy it makes me cringe but it runs/idles fine and it has been that way for 10 years.
Repair as finances permit, maybe saving the motor overhaul for the off season.
The steering is easily tightened up.
And like others, you will not be happy with today's plastic throwaway toys.
Just an opinion from an old man.
Edit:

Ha,LOL! Sawdust dad types faster than I

[USMC_SGT]

Originally Posted by sawdustdad

Would the 1810/11/12 be in significantly better condition such that a bunch of repairs would not be required?

I'd fix the 1450. Most of the steering can be done with little cost--tighten up the gear box, regrind the follower stud and replace the tie rod ends. Done for under $20.

Then, tackle the mower deck. Find a donor deck, and swap spindles or just use the donor deck--usually avail for under $200.

Rebuild the carb and install a replacement bushing for the throttle shaft. Cost under $20.

Send the relief valves off for a rebuild, I think about $150. there is a company that advertises on ebay. Someone else will post the actual company. or check the technical section.

Run the engine as is, so it smokes a little. Use 40wt oil if you need to.

Deal with the engine, next winter. Should be able to do it for $250 machine shop time and under $200 for a kit.

That's less than half of your original $1500 estimate. I'm not familiar with the CCC tractors, so I can't comment on the value or durability of an 1810, etc. But the 1450 is a very nice tractor and worth the investment, IMO.

From some of the site sponsors, parts alone I came up with just shy of $1100, and I figure an easy $400 into the motor with parts/Machine work.

I would do ALL the work, to include engine build myself. If I can build turbo charged 800+ HP LS based GM motors, I can handle an old Kohler....

I think my problem is, that if I do it, it will not be half assed, it will be or turn into a full on resto no matter what I tell myself.

My worry with keeping the motor running as it is, is that with my luck it will throw a rod and completely destroy the motor.

Jon

[J-Mech]

Maybe I get my parts elswhere..... but that number seems high to me. Are you pricing all parts direct from CCC or partstree.com? There are a couple suppliers that we recommend here that are OEM dealers, just cheaper. Also, you can source a lot of the parts from some of the sponsors, or get used. Nothing wrong with used parts. Or rebuilding some parts. You can get deck bearings from a bearing supplier. I would surely think you could get the cost down some. Doing all the work yourself, I would think you could get it down to $1000. Just my thoughts.

[USMC_SGT]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Maybe I get my parts elswhere..... but that number seems high to me. Are you pricing all parts direct from CCC or partstree.com? There are a couple suppliers that we recommend here that are OEM dealers, just cheaper. Also, you can source a lot of the parts from some of the sponsors, or get used. Nothing wrong with used parts. Or rebuilding some parts. You can get deck bearings from a bearing supplier. I would surely think you could get the cost down some. Doing all the work yourself, I would think you could get it down to $1000. Just my thoughts.

No, ALL parts were through Chris@cub classics, or "Similar" site (non sponsor that has quite a bit to offer)...no big stores...

I have my parts list on my work computer, I will post up what I have on it.