Storing transaxle - dry?

[brudder]

I recently changed the gasket, filter, and fluid in the transaxle of my 1641. The engine has 1800 hours and the valve guides in one of the heads are shot. I was planning to replace the head but ended up finding an entire tractor with low hours for less than it would cost to buy a new head. The fluid change wasn't the brightest move.

So I'm thinking the best move would be to part out the old tractor, but want to re-use the brand new filter and hy-tran on the new tractor, because I don't think I would get the value out of those when I sell the old rear end.

Question: can I store the old rear end dry? Sealed of course with a filter and the dipstick installed. I was thinking it would be better to at least have some used 0W-20 from my next oil change on my pickup in there so nothing gets rusty. Thoughts?

[J-Mech]

Won't hurt a thing.

[Oak]

Why not just replace the head and sell the tractor complete and running. I think a new head is less than $200. I don't think non running 1641's bring much because of the transmission's they used.

[brudder]

Originally Posted by Oak

Why not just replace the head and sell the tractor complete and running. I think a new head is less than $200. I don't think non running 1641's bring much because of the transmission's they used.

I don't know if it makes sense to buy a $200 head for an engine with over 1800 hours on it, does it? Its going to need a complete rebuild soon and from what I've seen they changed the pistons so you can't just buy new rings. You need to buy the whole piston.

Edit to add: I pushed the guides back in so it runs now, but I expect the guides to loosen back up in the future.

[RumbleFish]

I was in a similar situation, I ended up finding another 1641 and swapped the good motor over to the better tractor.