[Ob1kubota]

Follow up to repairs: got a hold of TM1582 and proceeded with diagonostics. R&R blower housing, screen and fuel pump since its bolted to housing. Pulled plug and got 151 lbs of compression, good? book says no anything over 100 lbs means automatic compression release (ACR) is out of adjustment. This explains why the old guy was breaking starter bell housings (2) in the last two seasons. Now you say how is this related to the symptom of the problem... simple, if the valve timing is wrong at wide open throttle you can develop vapor lock on these small air cooled engines particularly if the tank vent is plugged with debris which I blew the valve open on the first repair. Here's the fix... adjust valve clearance cold at TDC cold at .006. put a dial indicator on the exhaust rocker adjustment set screw and nut. Slowly turn the nut on the top of the flywheel clockwise at TDC and make sure the exhaust valve moves .010 with the Intake valve fully seated ( the intake rocker will be loose on the retainer shaft as this happens) This determines that the ACR is set to specification. While inside the valve cover check the breather valve assembly. Retainer clearance is okay between .040 -.080. Check the reed valve for damage, wear distortion and replace if issues. If valves are in adjustment with correct compression the lower end or vacuum to the fuel pump should be correct so I didn't waste time doing a crankcase vacuum test. After torqueing all fastners to specs and reinstalling all the engine covers I went after the hood damage. These hoods are the most flemsey pieces of plastic Ivseen on a Deere product. I had to manufacture sheet metal hinges for both sides of the pivot pins and drill the end of frame so I could put a threaded dow rod through both rail to support and align the hood for function and ease of maintenance. After several hoursready for the test and testit he did at 2 inch height in six inch grass with complete success. It was all worth it to see that old man smile. Lord I hope to see 91 and owning a X749 with some young stud working on it for me!