Crispy 1810

[john hall]

As luck would have it, I ordered all my parts to fix the 782 with the broken rear end bolts/axles housings and missing driveline. Three days later I find out a buddy of mine has what I think is a burnt up 1810. Don't know what happened but it got real hot in the fuel tank area, obviously tank ruptured and fried things real good. I tried to turn the engine over by hand, no luck. It still has decent looking oil in it but the fire got hot enough to melt the plastic oil filler plug. Steering wheel is gone/melted away. Surprisingly the fenders are OK, none of the tires caught on fire, but they are flat (may just need pumping up). I imagine the rear end is fine, didn't appear to have got hot back there at all. I was hoping this was a 6 or 782 with a KT in it, as I am the proud owner of 2 KT17's with ventilated engine blocks. I am guessing this is a M18--basing that on the externally mounted oil filter. I would assume the fire was so hot that the charging system is shot, and possibly the crankcase is warped--looks like something is wrong where the carb mounts to the intake. Got a nice 44C deck and mule drive. Only hope I see here is a deck and rear end donor, anyone see something positive that I am missing? How do I tell what model this is from the serial tag?

[J-Mech]

It is an 1810.

I wouldn't be too quick to condemn the engine. Even if it is too much work to revive, it should still have some usable parts. I've revived several burnt motors. Looks like the machine still has a lot of usable parts. With another motor, you may be able to salvage the machine. All in all, it's a great donor.

Did you go ahead and buy it?

[john hall]

Haven't bought it yet. Got a feeling he wants around $1-150 for it. I already have a fairly nice 682 with a replacement deck needing an engine. Been looking around locally for something to repower it with.

I could probably get him to let me bring it home, disconnect the driveshaft and remove molten plastic from the flywheel to see if I can get it to turn over.

Anyone know off hand if the engine block is the same as a KT17?

To be honest, in all the years dad spent at a dealer, I've never heard of a Cadet catching on fire.

[J-Mech]

Blocks are similar, but not the same. A lot of the parts are the same. What is it you want to do with it? Or are you just asking "general" questions?

$150 is too much IMHO.

[john hall]

Wondering if the M18 block was still solid could I take parts from the 2 Kt17's I have and make an engine for the 682. Also, could I take the 44C deck and mule drive from the 1810 and stick it under a 129?

[J-Mech]

I don't believe the mule drive will work on a 129..... but not sure.

The M18 block will accept the jugs from the KT's. However, the KT jugs do not have the mount for the magnetos drilled into them. All the KT blocks I have, have the mount for the magneto cast onto them, they just aren't drilled. You'll have to look to see if yours do.

[john hall]

Now you got me thinking. I need to be a little more forceful to try turning the engine over. If it will still turn over, I may can cobble together something that would run between the 3 engines. These dang things are like stray animals, you want to bring all of them home!

[olds45512]

The pulleys on the 1810 mule drive are about 2" further forward than on the correct one for a 129.

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by olds45512

The pulleys on the 1810 mule drive are about 2" further forward than on the correct one for a 129.

That's what I thought. Thanks for confirming!

[john hall]

Thanks for the input on the deck/mule drive. I kind of need a deck for a 129 so that helps to justify buying the 1810.