changing radiator on MF35 - level of difficulty

[nworbekim]

i've limited mechanical experience and abilities... i find its usually more inexpensive to hire someone to do my fix'em up work than me try it, screw it up, and then have to hire someone to straighten out my mess... and put up with all of the ribbing i get...

but, i think i might be able to do this job...

the old 35 is in great shape... but the radiator looks to be original, and has been patched and soldered nearly everywhere... right now, i'm using it with a 6' finish mower and its running about 210 degs F... which i think is too hot for this model, even though its a gas engine...

when i stop, its spitting coolant up, making a mess, creating a hazard for family pets, and costing $...

i've looked around the net and can order what looks to be a generic radiator that will fit for about $120... but what kind of job is it to change out?

does the cowling have to come completely off? or just tilt forward...

i see the top bracket where the radiator is held, how is it connected at the bottom?

any information will be greatly appreciated...

 

[SouthernMan]

I will add what I can to your info gathering...as you state it is a 35 and not a 135, i would imagine it has the rounded hood, with two latches on the left side that allow you to raise the hood up against the stack...looking inside, you would see a spine running the length of the front end, from radiator to gas tank...this is the troublesome issue.
also, i assume it is a clamshell type front; by that i mean the grill is two-piece, and swings apart in the middle to each side...
now - if i am correct, this body style is quite irritating when it comes to replacing belts or anything around the radiator, because you have to remove so much stuff. I don't think you will have too much trouble replacing the radiator, but you will have to remove the grills, hood, spine, and radiator cowl.

It's just time-consuming and a bit aggravating, but you should have no trouble...

SM

 

[rcraft]

I think the last post is referring to a MF 50 or MF65. The hood on a MF35 is latched just under the instrument panel (one latch on each side) and raises forward. To get at the rad it will be easier to remove the hood. All you need to do is remove the two bolts at the front bottom (one on each side) and the supporting bracket near the fuel tank and the whole hood assembly can be lifted off. This will give you easy access to the rad. I would suggest that you replace the thermostat as well. It is located under the casting where the top rad hose connects to the engine. Very often the cause of overheating is a malfunctioning or partially clogged thermostat.