(2001) Murray Widebody LT - Bowser

Well, I've gone and done it...

I mentioned a while back about looking for a Murray to build up for the daughter.  I found one for $30.  Too bad it has a blown motor.  I really wasn't going for the engine anyways.  I plan in keeping it simple.  May keep the single pulley clutch over doing a double.  That isn't 100% at this time.  Opposed won't fit without modifications... so that may put some difficulty in the build.  Enough talking, here it is.  Currently codenamed Bowser, as I found a toy turtle under the seat. 

Currently I am thinking this engine unless another good deal falls in my lap.

I just had to do it.

Cool find! If it’s going to be named bowser maybe yellow and green if you decide to paint? Or would it just look like a John Deere?

@Rustbucket Garage wrote:

Cool find! If it’s going to be named bowser maybe yellow and green if you decide to paint? Or would it just look like a John Deere?

Definitely yellow.  I am thinking of incorporating some green, and it won't look like a deere!  

I pulled the 12.5 out and busted it open to see if the carnage can be fixed...  nope.  Busted block on the inside.  When the rod broke, it bent the camshaft breaking it's mount point inside the block.

Yellow!?

You can’t fix that engine? Now what will I tell the grandson after all the bragging I did about you?

LOL, not sure I can pull off that miracle.

yellow is the daughter's favorite color.

I sawed this connecting rod in half!!!! And repaired it using only flex tape!

Yellow? LOL I have a Yellow Cub Cadet

So, could you see what let loose first in the engine? I couldn’t see the crank throw very well. It sure did grenade. Maybe save the head too.

I need to open the busted Kohler I have and see if any gears or goodies like the rod or piston can be used as bling in my Rat Rod.

@Nevadablue wrote:

Yellow? LOL I have a Yellow Cub Cadet

So, could you see what let loose first in the engine? I couldn’t see the crank throw very well. It sure did grenade. Maybe save the head too.

I need to open the busted Kohler I have and see if any gears or goodies like the rod or piston can be used as bling in my Rat Rod.

Internals do make good bling.  Judging by the oil.  It had gas in it (evaporated) and what was left congealed.  So my guess it overheated. (couple large gouges in the cylinder walls) and the rod broke in 2.  Bottom end spun around and hit the cam knocking it out of place.

My initial thinking....  Not sure how I feel about it.  I was feeling it . . . now not so much.  I'll continue to think about it.







Messes with the front geometry more than I like.

I think doc stuffed one into Fugazi so maybe there could be some ideas there if you wanted to experiment.

Just curious, why not?

Yeah, I think his was a 16 vanguard.  They are shaped a little different.  This 21hp is a bit long.  It is taller than I thought.  I'll keep tinkering and will figure something out.


Not sure if you have read any of my older threads, I have to let things soak in sometimes.

I have a camper build that has been soaking for about 3 years now.

So, I've been going out to the garage for a few minutes every now and then to look things over.  I realized I needed to put the gas tank back in to see how far back the engine could go.  I also realized the hood was a bit flattened.  I sat it on a tire and rolled it back and forth a bit.  Got it a little rounded.  I also figured, I can take the flywheel screen off and attach a opposed screen on the top to gain more room.   @Rustbucket Garage did remind me about Doc's tractor and how he used the other model hood hinge on his.  I have the ones from Li'l Red still.  They are the "other" style.  I just about got it tweaked in now.









Only bit of concern I have right now is a minor oil drip from the right exhaust.  Something I need to watch.  Not really feeling up to doing rings on another engine.  Or is it bypassing the valve?  I'll pop off the cover and see.

Makes me feel worthless. I am lucky to open the hood on mine. Nice work!

Must have been the way the engine sat in the building.  It hasn't dripped anymore oil out the right pipe the past day or so.

I'm thinking of trimming those hood mounts back about 1 inch and angling the cut to raise the pivot maybe 1 more inch. Goal is to bring the hood back 1-2 more inches and up one more inch. I think it would have a better fitment at that location. Then I will need to mark the location of my bolt holes. I think only 1 hole matches up on the plate.

OK, time to make my list.

• Mount engine
  
• Adjust hood for engine
  
• Remove unneeded mower hardware
  
• Make a front bumper
  
• Make new exhaust
  
• Other accessories, or just keep it simple?
  
• Battery
  
• Lights (Front NILIGHT and rear red buttons)
  
• Brake lights?
  
• Teardown, weld frame up for strength
  
• Paint
  
• Install locked transaxle
  
• Tires
  
• Reassemble
  
• Gas pedal - late add
  

photo's for the day...

Made 102 today... Ugh.

Some more shots... Moving along.'






Still trying . . . getting better.

Also, I need to do the upgrade I did with Li'l Red.  Drill, tap and add a zerk for greasing.  Then replace the bushings with brass ones.

Finally dialed in the model number to figure out year. It appears to be a 2001 model!

Not too much today.  I did install the locked mst206 into Bowser.  I also looked into the oil leaks on the engine.

First, I was in total disbelief the wheels came right off the old mst205 with absolutely NO fight.  First ever for me.



mst206 installed.



I did some detective work on the engine.  I have decided at this point not to replace the sump gasket.  It appears to be intact, BUT the sump bolts were all loose but 1.  I torqued them down as well as the head bolts.  I did find a burr on the one head that was allowing an oil leak from that valve cover.  That was filed down and fixed.  I'll refill the oil and see what happens. First I need to go grab a pipe to replace that oil valve.  I hate that thing.