About to bring home a 149

[Jacob Michael]

So, about 4 weeks ago, the engine on my 782 blew up. A snapped left connecting rod. I didn't have many options to replace the engine, and I didn't want the tractor to turn into a money pit, so I did some searching on Marketplace for a "new" tractor. I eventually found a nice looking Cub 149 about 15 miles from where I live. My dad and I went to meet the seller in a church parking lot last night. He said the carburetor needed a good cleaning, but otherwise the machine was in good mechanical shape. It was missing both taillight covers, the headlights weren't wired in, and the air filter cover was painted red for some reason. That k321 seemed REALLY eager to go. It barely needed to turn over before it started, and the engine just wanted to take off when you moved the throttle up. I got the price down to $400( the asking price had been $500), and I'm hoping we can go to the guy's house to pick it up tomorrow, if the schedule doesn't fill up before then. The 48" mower deck with it was SOLID. there was fresh paint on it, and the blades were in decent shape. The plan is that once the 149 comes home, I'll switch over the seat, ago tires, and rear lift from my 782. Then, I'm going to list the 782 at $500 for parts and see what happens (I know 500 dollars is a lot for a parts tractor. I can lower the price but it can never go up). So, did I buy a lemon? Are there any common problems with wide frame tractors that I need to know about?
I guess I'll have to change my profile pic soon. Thanks, Jacob.

 

[mgonitzke]

Governor is either out of adjustment or broken if the engine runs away like that. If it is the latter, full engine teardown required. That is nearly the last thing to come out of the engine. You will be in over $100 in parts for a new OEM governor gear and a gasket set at a minimum if you have to do that repair.

782 3-point lift bar is different than the WF version. Unless the 782 is in really nice original condition, more than about $250 is wishful thinking with a blown engine.

If I were you, I'd pass on the 149 and keep the 782, and find a rough looking but running 2000 series tractor to use as an engine donor. The newer V-twins fit without a ton of trouble, and unless you are in an area of the country where these aren't common, you can find one for $250 or less. If you have patience you can put together an engine swap for the 782 for less than you will have in the 149 buying and fixing it.

 

[Jacob Michael]

Thanks for the insight, Mgonitzke. Hopefully if the issue is the governor, its just out of adjustment like you said. I wouldn't necessarily say the engine was running away, but it did seem like it ran strong. The 782 isn't in very good original condition. There had been a running yellow 782 with a series II in Bath (I live near Grand Rapids), but I didn't jump on it in time. My idea was to list it for parts or restoration and wait for a lower offer. I was also planning on listing the price high, because our can always lower the price, and people get mad when you raise it. Some thing I forgot to mention is that there are 2 parts k321's in my area, both for less than $100. One of them is listed for $50 and has the mechanical pto on it, but with no piston or connecting rod. I could buy that engine, cannibalise some parts off it, then sell the pto clutch and make a profit.

Anybody in the Grand Rapids area want to buy a used 782 with a 38c mower deck?