500 series

[Bncrshr77]

Hello,

Just got a great deal on a 500 series gravely!!

The deal was good enough that I bought it knowing it would not go in forward or reverse?

Anyone got a good idea on how/where I should start narrowing down the exact issue??

I've been told it will most likely be a broken drive clutch?

Thanks!!

 

[2manyrocks]

I'm not sure what to suggest may be the problem, but here is a link to the service manual.

http://www.oldgravelys.net/pdf/500_5000_Serv_Man_0679.pdf

How good a deal did you get?

 

[Bncrshr77]

Well,

Picked up my $300 gravely today and already cleaned the carb with no luck....She fires up and dies in about 2-5 seconds every time just like the previous owner told me it did...

Gravely Serial# 00516653

Kohler 8 hp...

Carb is a Walbro whl 14 1351....

I've been searching all over the net and can't find this carb??

Any leads on where to get one or a replacement for it?

 

[2manyrocks]

Welcome to Richard's Lawn & Garden

Or ebait

The 8 hp kohlers are sought after by some folks because they think they are the most close to the handling of the original all Gravely tractors. the larger 10-12 hp kohlers are heavier by comparison.

 

[RichardTX]

If it runs and dies then most likely it is NOT the carb. I would check fuel supply closely. There is usually a screen connected to the shutoff valve screwed into the bottom of the tank. I would also replace the fuel filter and check the lines.

Rarely does a engine require a new carb.

I would also replace the condenser.

 

[Bncrshr77]

Thanks for the replies....I'm getting plenty of fuel flow to the Carb and it has new points and condensor on it..

I dropped the carb of at the gravely man for a soak in some kind of acid and a rebuild....We will see if that fixes it!!

Next issue is the forward/reverse clutch....The clutch ring has no friction material on it at all....Worn down the bare metal....Should there be friction material on the "cones" that the clutch meshes with when put in gear or only on the clutch ring itself?

Thanks..

 

[Bncrshr77]

Well....Got the Carb back from the Gravely man and still the same thing...Will fire and try to run but dies in usually about 5 seconds or less...

The fella I bought it from had recently put new points and condensor on it..

I cleaned the tank, shutoff valve, and it seems to pump plenty of fuel out of the fuel pump....

I'm running out of ideas here..

 

[RichardTX]

What happens if you leave the choke on when starting it?

 

[Bncrshr77]

Ok... With the choke on it fires and dies in a few sEconds.. With the choke off it will barely fire at all...just kind of sputters once in a while..

We have had both adjustment screws all over the place ands its pretty much the same story.

 

[RichardTX]

Since it runs a bit better with the choke on, that pretty much narrows it down to a fuel issue.

I suppose it is possible you have a large vacuum leak but that would be rare.

Next step is to fashion an external gas tank from a small gas can and a length of hose. Elevate the gas can to a height of about 2-3 ft above the carb. You don't have to have a hole in the bottom of your gas can. Just let the fuel siphon out of the gas can into the carb. I would use a small 1 gallon gas can.

If it still acts up then there is one more thing you can do. Take a pump type oil can and fill it with gasoline. By squirting gas into the throat of the carb, you should be able to get the engine to run. You have to meter the fuel manually but you should be able to keep it running for a minute or so with a little practice.

If you can keep it running by manually pumping fuel into the throat of the carb, then the carb is likely at fault.

PM on it's way.