Recent content by klipto

Hi OTT, Quick followup - I got everything buttoned back up and the tractor runs better than new (well, new for me at least given I just bought it!). Everything looks and sounds great. I had to do an in-frame rebuild---and because I did not prepare (in my defense, I had no idea what I was in...

Steve - thanks for the wealth of knowledge. You had me a bit worried about the pistons; I looked real hard before I installed them to see if the piston went in one way over another and could not discern any markings! So, glad to hear that is not something I have to worry about. I did (i) oil...

Hi - sorry for the sporadic posts here. I had to learn what plastigauge is ;). After everyone's suggestions, I tore back into the tractor and measured the clearance on the bearings. They are up to snuff. I did put assembly lube on both sides; so when I button it back up I'll just do the one...

Hi Steve, Ok both you and North Idaho Wolfman convinced me to get back in there and see if I spun a bearing (or worse!). Thanks - I'll update if I did any damage (or if not too!). I did not replace the bearings as they looked great. Todd.

Thanks for the advice - I did lube both the main and rod bearings before assembly. I think I just had a bunch of friction from new rings to work through.

Hi Everyone, New problem and I could use some advice! To remind you of the past 3 pages: I thought I had a blown head gasket (which I did) but it turns out, I also had a burnt piston. Since I was in there already, I (i) honed all cylinders and (ii) replaced all pistons and rings. I am...

Hi Folks, Getting around to ordering parts: Kubota wants ~280 bucks for a piston/ring kit while Kumar bros has the same parts for ~90 bucks. Has anyone used a Kumar bro's piston / ring set? I know OEM parts are expensive but if people have had good luck with aftermarket, I'll go that route.

Steve, Wolfman, Tooljunkie, Thanks for the advice. At this point, I am going to dive in and replace anything that looks warn. I am going to try to pull the pistons tomorrow. The head looks great after I cleaned it so at least I have that going for me. I'll let you all know how it turns out...

Thanks for your quick response. Just to clarify, are you saying I don't have to worry about the chip in the middle piston?

Ok: if i am going to do one, I'll do em all! Those kits seem reasonable too, give the cost of just one piston/rings. Here is a pic of the gasket: And here is a picture of the head: The head has carbon on it which brushes off easily. Using a straight edge and my feeler gauge, it looks...

Thanks for the advice so far, everyone. I do have all the manuals I need and parts descriptions from Kubota. I went on vacation so my progress was stalled... I removed the head (easy) and the gasket looks fine. Given this, I was a bit stumped as to why I was seeing white smoke in exhaust...

I started taking the head apart this morning --- I'll post back if I have any troubles. I think it looks like a pretty easy job. Plus it is an excuse to get a few more tools. Adjusting the valves looked a bit intimidating but after a few youtube videos I think I can handle it. As soon as I...

Thanks for the quick response! Follow up question: should I be using the tractor in its current state? Put another way, can I wait till the fall? To be clear, the radiator bubbles are weak (once per minute) and the white smoke / steam is not as bad as other tractors I have seen with a...

Hello OTT, I recently acquired a well used B7100 (~1650 hours) with FEL for a reasonable price. I promptly replaced all fluids and filters and used the tractor for a week or so before I realized the clutch was going. I split the tractor and replaced the clutch / throwout bearing, etc. Felt...