resurrecting a 1720

trbinrat · #1 07-30-2010, 10:53 PM

I picked up this 1720 the other day for $50 with the intention of getting it going to replace my POS 1515. There are a couple of things missing like the pto switch (just found one on line $23) the seat and the front wheels(got a set from a Toro for free!). The other problem as you can see in the pic is that there's a hole in the block above the left jug, not from a blown motor but from the urine from a mouse. That's right ate right through the aluminum. I plan on welding a patch over the hole to seal it up.

One other problem I found is that the starter was frozen so I took it a part and cleaned it up and lubricated the bearing and reinstalled it. I jumped out the PTO switch and got the thing to turn over but wouldn't start. Had to stop there as it got dark out and couldn't see plus I was getting hungry! Hopefully will have time this week end to work on it.

truckntran · #2 07-31-2010, 07:55 AM

Might try epoxy on that mouse hole... JB Weld, Devcon or similar all would be a good repair. Looks like it is pretty well eaten away and thin, welding will be tough.

Good luck and it looks like a great project.

trbinrat · #3 07-31-2010, 05:08 PM

Ya it's a little thin around the hole but that's why I'm going to weld a patch around it. probably like a 2"x2"x1/8". I've been a welder for over 20 years so prides got a lot to do with it if ya know what I mean. Plus the two mechanics at the lawn center where I picked it up said welding wouldn't work.

ol'George · #4 08-02-2010, 08:59 AM

FWIW,
It's been my experience aluminum with that kind of corrosion don't weld at all,
akin to trying to weld a rusted out tin can or muffler.
I absolutely dislike J.B. weld, but in this application it might work better than anything else.

trbinrat · #5 08-02-2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ol'George

FWIW,
It's been my experience aluminum with that kind of corrosion don't weld at all,
akin to trying to weld a rusted out tin can or muffler.
I absolutely dislike J.B. weld, but in this application it might work better than anything else.

I absolutely understand but I think that a stainless wire wheel and some sanding disks should take care of that.

We'll see stay tuned!

ol'George · #6 08-02-2010, 07:04 PM

I fully understand the challenge, nothing like the satisfaction of doing what “can’t be done”
I’ve done some off the wall stuff, like turning your M-18 vertical motor out of a 1720 into a horizontal motor and it is running in my 782 with power steering borrowed from a J.D. 317.
That said,
You are close to the cylinder flange, and the aluminum they use in those castings doesn’t like to be welded.
I found out when I welded up a kt17 that had thrown a rod, that it stress cracked something awful and warped so badly it wasn’t useable.

On the positive side, I successfully welded a patch on a old 5 H.P. tejunkski rototiller motor that had thrown a rod through the block, without a problem.

If it was me, I would try the J.B first, if it didn’t work no fowl, try to weld it.
If you weld first and it goes sour,- it’s is junk.
I wish you luck which ever you choose.

johncub7172 · #7 08-02-2010, 11:09 PM

Why not try a tap in the hole, then screw a bolt in there.....just wonder about the JB.Weld holding, later on down the line your gonna be back at square 1 ?

Matt G. · #8 08-03-2010, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johncub7172

Why not try a tap in the hole, then screw a bolt in there.....just wonder about the JB.Weld holding, later on down the line your gonna be back at square 1 ?

There doesn't appear to be any material left around the hole; it's probably nearly paper-thin in that area.

superduty5.9 · #9 08-03-2010, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ol'George

I’ve done some off the wall stuff, like turning your M-18 vertical motor out of a 1720 into a horizontal motor and it is running in my 782 with power steering borrowed from a J.D. 317.

Sounds interesting. Have and pics? What would this entail?

trbinrat · #10 08-03-2010, 08:55 PM

Thanks George for the info on the block casting. I would have like to tap and pug the hole but it is paper thin.

Well it lives! Put fresh gas in it and a good battery adjusted the ignition module and cranked it over and it started right up. Sounded good too.

So now it's time to fix the hole and after some thought on this and hearing George's experience I'm going to try J B Weld first. Sometimes ya got to listen to what people are tell'n ya. If it doesn't work the whole motor will come apart and we'll go from there.