I am new to Cub Cadet's, I need a bit of help with a 149 restore

secretmatt123 · #1 04-18-2013, 10:14 PM

so i have a family friend who knew a guy wanting to get rid of it and he said i could have it because i do small engine mechanics for myself aside from work. anyways its a 149 hydro and i already have it running all i did was filed and set the points it was going to be a quick flip kind of deal, get it running, cutting and sell for quick easy cash but she has grew on me and i have decided to keep it and make it a show tractor. my question to you all is where would one with no knowledge (other than general mechanics skills) of cub cadets begin a restoration?

cubby102 · #2 04-18-2013, 10:46 PM

What I rid was start by downloading the service manual from this site. It has helped loads. Then I just simply started taking the tractor apart and took plenty of pics of the way stuff went together. Just don't do like me and missplace the wd card that has all the pics on it. Start stripping paint and go.from there. You will see what is wore out or broken while your tearing it.down. I have taken every single nut and bolt off my original and am slowly getting it back together . Good luck and welcome to the site.

TheSaturnV · #3 04-19-2013, 04:00 AM

Here's a youtube video series, and if it doesn't get you informed and excited to restore your Cub, nothing will!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riveN8_5WYo

Welcome to yellow fever.

Cubcrazy · #4 04-19-2013, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secretmatt123

so i have a family friend who knew a guy wanting to get rid of it and he said i could have it because i do small engine mechanics for myself aside from work. anyways its a 149 hydro and i already have it running all i did was filed and set the points it was going to be a quick flip kind of deal, get it running, cutting and sell for quick easy cash but she has grew on me and i have decided to keep it and make it a show tractor. my question to you all is where would one with no knowledge (other than general mechanics skills) of cub cadets begin a restoration?

Looking forward to pics!

drglinski · #5 04-19-2013, 07:32 AM

Download operators/service manual.

Read.

Search forum for related topics/questions.

Read.

Ask questions.

Read.

Research even more about it.

Read.

Take lots of photos cuz' once you start wrenching you might not know how it goes back together.

Did I mention read? There is a ton of information on these forums (and others) that will help you. I know it has helped me. I like to study study study something before I get into it so I have a better knowledge of what I'm doing and there are fewer question marks when it comes to certain things.

Good luck!

Methos · #6 04-19-2013, 11:21 AM

Some great advise already given.

Now my turn.

Make sure that everything works as it should and keep the mindset that if it needs it, it gets it. When you come to something you can't do get someone to help you. Your goal should be to make it as good as the day it left the factory or better.

sawdustdad · #7 04-19-2013, 02:39 PM

What Duke said is good advice. You'll find things as you dis-assemble that will be worn, loose, rusted, broken or just gnarly. Those things you can fix or repair, by all means do it. Those that need to be replaced, should be replaced.

Some of the items can be pricey. I was surprised at the cost of some items, but equally pleased that they were still available. I did make the mistake of paying $300 for a new gas tank for my first restoration--my 108--but realized that ebay is another good source and bought another one for my 123 for $30.

When it's all said and done, you'll have a solid machine that will run for another 40 years with only routine maintenance. Oil changes, tune ups and an occasional squirt of grease. You can get everything you need from the sponsors at the top of the page here.

drglinski · #8 04-19-2013, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sawdustdad

Some of the items can be pricey. -but realized that ebay is another good source

This is the number one reason I love the forum. If I am in need of a part, I post a wanted to buy here first because I'd rather help out a forum member and often I can obtain it at a more reasonable price.

secretmatt123 · #9 04-19-2013, 07:48 PM

thanks everyone. y'all seem like a bunch of help already. i will try to post pics of the whole project start to finish can someone explain how i do that? and i have one more question for now. i have the engine running on the 149 it seems to run good but when i turn the blades on it sounds kind of weak is this normal?

sawdustdad · #10 04-19-2013, 09:43 PM

When you engage the mower deck, the engine will slow down as the load is applied, but the governor should increase the throttle to bring the engine speed back up to max. You, of course, want to run the mower deck at full throttle while cutting. If the engine bogs down when you engage the deck, there are several possible issues--from bad bearings in the deck, the front idler pulleys, wrong belt, dirty carb, fuel tank, improperly adjusted governor, etc. My first guess is restricted fuel flow if it's been sitting. rebuild the carb for $15. make sure fuel is flowing from the tank to the carb easily. Assume you put new fuel in it.