Shade tree mechanic! Whatcha workin on.

caveman · June 15, 2025, 06:59:05 AM

Not nearly as exciting as aircraft, but yesterday was the day to change the water pump impeller in the Honda 225. It was pumping water fine, but it has been a few years since it has been replaced, and I had one in a box. A week or so ago I replaced the 02 sensor that was causing an alarm to sound after extended idling. I thought I was going to need a helper to get the lower unit back on the motor, but about the time I was going to wait for a helper, it slipped into place.

A friend gave me this little 25 hp Evinrude about a year ago. I wanted to ensure it will run before putting together a little skiff to mount it on. Yesterday was the first time I even had the cowling off of this motor. A critter made a nest, and the engine was really dirty. While trying to start it, evidently the carburetor float stuck, and fuel was pumping out of the carb which is right by the starter that I was jumping with a hot wire. Poof, a little fire started. I grabbed the hose off of the lower unit and doused the motor. I don't think anything important got scorched. The good news is that the motor turns over, seems to have good compression and even tried to start. It'll get a carb kit, water pump and I'll try to find a tiller handle for it since I don't want a wheel and console on the little boat it will end up on.

One more thing. I've started carrying a piece of 6x6 with an angle cut on it in my truck. I've used it twice in the past couple of weeks to quickly change trailer tires.

doc henderson · June 15, 2025, 07:57:05 AM

I had some issues with the mill last week. My fuel tank is stationary, and the saw head moves up and down with a length of fuel line in the power chain. there is an electric pump to prime the impulse fuel pump on the valve cover. had a spare that took a minute to find, since I have the shop in a mess from the sheet rocking and moving of many things that have been in the same spot the prev. 15 years.

Also got a battery in for the Harley I bought after my uncle Steve died. he had asked my brother and I to help her sell it as she would have no idea. It has sat covered in the shop all these years, blocked inn by my other junk. had to replace the batt. in the key fab as well and do a procedure to reset the alarm system. No sound of a fuel pump and so need to find the fuse and if that is ok, look at the filter and fuel pump on the bike.

The pressure washer needed a new battery and with all that the solenoid quit but had a spare. letting my sone work on that.

My friend Roger thinks he has found wheel cylinders so will hope to get that old dump truck going.

SwampDonkey · June 15, 2025, 08:01:10 AM

I'm going to need a new piece of fuel line for the tiller. It's cracked someplace. I think I need to take off the filter housing to get at it, behind. Nothing major, but I think a common thing on 20+ year old small engines. Just need to do it.

Resonator · June 15, 2025, 06:37:16 PM

That wood block ramp also works for changing an outside dual wheel, or putting snow chains on.

JJ · June 18, 2025, 11:10:55 PM

@caveman ,
good thing you ratchet down that stick on that tandem, don't want anyone hurt on the highway

I'm working on a 2012 Fiat 500:

https://forestryforum.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=359763

https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18492/IMG_8884.JPEG

https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18492/IMG_8920.JPEG

Knuckles
JJ

LeftFinger · June 18, 2025, 11:57:40 PM

15 yr old push mower didn't want to stay running today. She tried to show me how bad it run and broke the recoil start I thought about it for 10 minutes and went to the city and bought a Dewalt rechargeable

Fixed

I hated that mower from day one

Old saw fixer · June 19, 2025, 11:42:29 AM

I could accept a battery push mower, but all I see come with a grass catcher and mulching stuff.
All I want is an 18 inch mower with a chute on the side to eject the cut grass.
Sure, I can remove the grass catcher, but I had to pay for it!

TimW · Reply #357 - Re: Shade tree mechanic! Whatcha workin on.

Further trailer improvements for the trip to Higgins.
Been grinding and welding a headache beam for the stake pockets on the gooseneck. My new wheeled air compressor's handle will be strapped to the beam. I will screw 2x4s and 2x6s to the deck to chock the tires. All the grinding with an unbalanced grinder woke up my tunnel carpal for two intermittant nights of sleep.
The beam will clear the winch and the width allows far right position for the air compressor, clear of the winch also.

Resonator · Reply #358 - Re: Shade tree mechanic! Whatcha workin on.

My experience with hauling large air compressors they tend to be top heavy, and want to lean or tip in corners. I've built up 2x4 braces along the sides of the tank before. Also can strap it around the center if you have the headache rack to tie too.

TimW · Reply #359 - Re: Shade tree mechanic! Whatcha workin on.

Quote from: Resonator on Today at 04:35:15 PMMy experience with hauling large air compressors they tend to be top heavy, and want to lean or tip in corners. I've built up 2x4 braces along the sides of the tank before. Also can strap it around the center if you have the headache rack to tie too.

Oh yeah, a small ratchet strap around the middle and the gooseneck itself.