JD GT325 carb and tractor restoration . Pic heavy .

[mmcmdl]

Getting into this project now and noticed something . The PO said the tractor would run with starting fluid thru the air cleaner but would not stay running . I pulled the hoods and deck off and pulled the carb off . The carb looked good as far as I could tell . I found a black wire that was cut and taped in the area . All the carbs I see on Epay have a wire to the bottom of the carb . This carb did not have a place for a wire . I'm wondering if someone cobbled this at a point ? Either way , a new carb is on the way , the new seat and battery are here and I'm ready to paint .

This is the Briggs 18hp Vanguard engine and not the Kawasaki used in the later years .

 

[Canus]

Check out Chickanic on Youtube. You may find help there.

 

[mmcmdl]

Think I found the issue . Ordered the carb , spark plugs , filters , tubes and wires . Total was $24 shipped . Someone along the line of ownership put a new bowl on the carb that was not compatible .

 

[mmcmdl]

Tractor is almost stripped . Hoods are off . Pan is off . Deck is off . This thing needs bath in the worst way . I found no rust thru on the deck . When removing the spindle guards I found what's in the pic . I NEVER use guards on any tractor I own or restore , just rust waiting to happen . All spindles are good , blades look like they cut rocks for many years . Now , to find the power washer down the basement .

 

[Aukai]

 

[Ulma Doctor]

Just a FYI ,
The carb running on starting fluid indicates to me that the pilot jet has a blockage of some kind.
Since you’re going to replace the carb, I guess it doesn’t matter.
Good luck with her!

 

[Provincial]

View attachment 486192

What, no hearing protection?

 

[Provincial]

The wire is for a shutoff solenoid to prevent after-run.

Ethanol gas is a killer for smaller carbureted engines.

I'm just finishing up an overhaul of an Onan P218 for my wife's JD 318. Std. crank, +.010 pistons, aluminum spacer for the governor balls, and a new intake valve seat on one cylinder. The old intake seat came loose and was hanging on the valve like a bracelet. I couldn't get a new seat, but found a Caterpillar part number that was close enough in size to fit with a slight overbore.

Not bad for a 40 year old engine!

 

[mmcmdl]

Don't tempt me Mike ! Pulled the gas tank and drained the turpentine out ! The Kubota helped with the original squirt down of the deck . Waiting on the son to bring up the power washer from the basement ( I'm not EVEN stepping down there ) . I'll wait until the carb comes before doing anything on the tractor itself . I'll have to make sure the PTO works before digging deeper and painting . 380

BTW , was that a big or small block on that pic ? No adult beverages today (yet) . I have to drink 2 bottles of Barium for a scan tonight at 8pm . But after that , it's game on . I found a link on the left rear side . Not sure WTH it was until I found a bolt missing . The link holds up the left side of the gas tank over the tire . Here I thought it was part of a parking brake . I'm thirsty .

 

[Aukai]

SBC...