The Maytag project is finished (the engine part of it anyway) and I'm on to bigger and better things.  OK, maybe just bigger things.  I've heard William talk about some "Snappin' Turtle" lawn mowers he used to own that didn't have wheels . . . it had a roller in the back that pushed it and a sled underneath it that slid along the ground.  They were produced back in the 1950's and the company eventually became Snapper.  I ran across one on Craigslist for $75 and couldn't resist it.  It was in Nashville . . . I worked out a deal for my brother to pick it up for me, but he couldn't find the guy's house when he was supposed to pick it up, they guy wouldn't answer his phone and when he finally returned my brother's call the next day he had already sold it.  BUT, he had another one in "better" condition.  He wanted $125 for it.  I now own that one.  The mower its self is pretty solid.  The engine is a Briggs and Stratton Model 8B.  The intake elbow (manifold) is broken, but it's complete, has compression and spark.  I can get an NOS intake elbow in the original B&S box for 12 bucks.  A carb kit is about $15.  The worst part of the whole mower is the gas tank.  I have found several new ones for sale, but the cheapest is $80.

This tank is full of pin holes and there are places on the top, bottom and sides where you could just stick your finger through it.  I'm way too deep into this thing already and I don't want to spend $80 on the tank if I don't have to.  I've got enough tank sealer left to seal it, but I'm worried bout the "crispy" sections.  Any ideas on how to possibly salvage this tank would be greatly appreciated!

Here's an article that gives a little history on them:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=348&dat=19970622&id=O-dMAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9jYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6921,7336978

Weld it up?

I took it off and cleaned about 5 pounds of rusty crud out of it this evening.  The bottom half of it is actually sound.  It's the top half that's toast . . . but all of the seams and corners are solid.  When I tried to take the cap off, what little remained of the neck came with it.  If I can find a donor for the neck, I think the rest of the rusted out areas will be easy to cut out and weld in patches.

I ordered an NOS intake elbow today.  I'll take the carb apart and let it soak until I get a carb kit.  Other than that, I'm just going to change the oil, install a new plug and re-paint the tin.  That should get it running.  After I washed off all of the rusty water marks that leaked out of the gas tank, the mower looks 100 times better.  Everything else seems to work correctly except the throttle cable . . . it's locked down.  It could probably use a new belt for the blade.  It's missing the rake/blade guard from the front and some type of flap or guard at the grass chute . . . I'll probably have to make those.

I'm debating on leaving the patina or repainting the whole thing . . . I would like for it to look new, but I'm lazy and I like the little bit of og paint that's on it . . . 

Zen,
The ones I had didn't have the chute on them I guess yours is a newer one.
The other one is still available and I might just get it since you have inspired me. KC

Nick, do you have one of these?
KC

Quote from: ASBug on June 11, 2013, 07:28:54 AM

Nick, do you have one of these?
KC

I'm sure he will be on a mission to have at least two. 

No... But I have two snapper rear engine riders! 16hp with 42" mower decks. Anyone need one?

No... But I have two snapper rear engine riders! 16hp with 42" mower decks. Anyone need one?

As a matter of fact I am looking for one. shoot me a PM with prices and details, I need one to abuse mowing my woods, that's right woods....
KC

Zen,
The ones I had didn't have the chute on them I guess yours is a newer one.
The other one is still available and I might just get it since you have inspired me. KC

I have found pictures of three different models.  Mine is the smallest and the grass clippings blow out on the left side, just in front of the engine.  The other models have the grass chute on the right side.  I've seen pictures of ones like mine that had a deflectior or something bolted on over the hole in the deck . . . I'm guessing it was put there to help keep the grass clippings from getting sucked into the engine.  Gott'a do some more research.  Maybe it was something the owner added on.