

Easier to work on it with the loader up in the air, have a jack and a 4x4 supporting the loader while it's in the air.

Has a little bit of a groove in it, got a speedy sleeve to go on it. She was pouring oil out the front seal area, looks like a combination of the front seal and the front timing cover gasket, guess I will know for sure once I get it back together and get the tires fixed and to use it again.



Ok, here is my question, with the timing cover, off, all timing marks lined up, and looking through the hole in the sump, trying to find the timing marks, there are none to be seen, it looks like the timing might be right but without properly degreeing it, I cannot be certain.

Old school thermostat, I have a new one ready to go in, once everything else is done.

What can you tell me about the year of this engine/tractor, tried looking on the site for a serial number sheet, but did not find any (I may be blind as a bat as well) (last number is a 9)
Did a quick check on the valve gap by hand (guesstimate, no measuring tool at home as they are all at work right now) and the gaps seem to be a good 0.025-0.030 gap, definitely seems excessive. will measure more properly once I get my feeler gauge set home.
Initial startup, she puffs grey smoke then clears right up, seems to run fine after, paranoid? or normal?