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Buy new or rebuild?

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I've got an Exmark ZTR that's 8 years old. I rebuilt the deck last season and it's been going o.k. The engine has a strange panel filter that pulled loose from the outter seal without me knowing and it was run in VERY dusty coditions. I didn't discover that till much later. Dirt was caked up inside the filter housing. I cleaned it all out, put a new filter in and changed the oil. Y'all know me so of course it got half a bottle of Lucas to tie it over. It has been smoking more for a while, no wonder.

Lately it's been hard to start as it spins over slow. The starter has been on it's way out for a while. ( No, it's not the Lucas, it did it before and has been getting worse.)

Last few times it's been backfiring out the exhaust and carb durring starting. I finally tore it down today. Valve clearance was o.k, carb seemed alright, start brushes are shot, I know the valve guides are worn bad. Manual says tear down and clean/lap valve @250 hrs which I'm a little over.

So, I've been thinking; last thing I want to do is waste time ordering the parts and rebuilding this thing. I need it going right now. A new engine is b/w $1100-$1400 with a better air filter design that won't pull apart any more.

I could probabay build it for less than $500, but the time to do it is the killer for me. If I still was self employed, I'd build it.

I was thinking of getting a new engine and going through my old one at my leisure and have it at the ready.

What would you do?

Any suggestions?
 
Ouch! that's an expensive motor. Knowing me I'd rebuild it. But small engines are a hobby here at the shack. I guess it'd depend on if I had the cash, and how long/how much use the unit would see. I think your idea of installing new, then rebuilding the current is a good one. then after the new one is worn, you can swap the old rebuild in and keep going.
 
I got it going again. Will definatly need a starter. I don't have time for chores much less hobbies.
 
Yup.. understood. Hope it holds out for ya for a good long time.
I don;t have much time for hobbies either, but I seem to have several. Usually they consist of staring at unfinished projects and thinking about what I'd do if I had the time and money to do them.
 
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