Well, the Murray officially died. It hit a clump of grass about 10" tall and stalled twice trying to cut it.. very sad.
On the good not, a neighbor that lives 2 houses down the road (2 miles) and has been a real good neighbor. Loaned me all sorts of his big toys, like Case 580 backhoe, Kubota tractor, ride on ditch witch, etc. Well he had this old Craftsman 15hp rider sittin outside and said I could have it, if I would come down and help hi after he has a surgery. I would have come anyway, even without the mower, but I took him up on it. It needed some TLC, like a new battery, adjusting/lubing the blade engagement linkage, so it would actually DIS-engage. Added a discharge chute, otherwise It shoots the grass almost straight up.
It needs a new starter, but will start most of the time, cleaned it up and she runs like a top.
I can tell, though, there is a HUGE difference in torque between the twin 20hp and the one lung 15hp. Hopefully this will hold up a while.
I found a block that will work on the old engine, but cannot see the valve area, and they guy will not answer my emails, frustrating. I could rebuild this motor at my leisure. I gotta say, though, that I do like the hydro tranny on the little Craftsman mower. The Murray was a manual shift.
What do ya'll think, try to fix the Murray, or put it on Craigs list as a parts only sale and put the money towards new?