Throwing good money after bad

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dkmc

Active member
Joined
Feb 3, 2013
Messages
29
Wow. It's handy to remember most skid steer machines are a rolling demolition derby mechanically speaking. Something is always wearing out or about to break......and needs replacing. My 1983 Mustang 342 is pretty tired, I've put a few hundred bux into it doing repairs myself. $8k would be 3 times what I have in it so that seems hard to comprehend in my small frugal world. Best of luck!
 
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TooMuchTin

Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2022
Messages
18
Thank you for the replies and advice.
Of course, I took the expensive route. Just purchased a rebuilt long block and it has been delivered. Now I have to install it. I had to take of the head and injectors on the old engine just to reach down to the rear bracket bolts. Sure don't want to take apart the new engine.
SUGGESTIONS?
 
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TooMuchTin

Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2022
Messages
18
That's just what I think about...specialized training, special tools, special machines, perfect working conditions, and the engine probably went in before all the plumbing that is now in the way. :)
 

spitzair

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 17, 2009
Messages
168
The engine is meant to come out as a unit with the hydraulic/hydrostatic pump. You undo all the lines off the pumps and the lines and electrical connections on the engine then you undo a few bolts on the subframe and the whole works comes out as a unit. Once you have it out you take the engine off the subframe. To jam it back in you bolt the engine to the subframe and do the whole removal procedure in reverse...
 
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TooMuchTin

Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2022
Messages
18
Wow, I wouldn't have thought that. Thank you for the input. I have the old engine out by detaching it from the big metal bracket that connects to the hydro pump. So should I continue to take out the hydro unit and put it together then put it all back in?
 

spitzair

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 17, 2009
Messages
168
If it saves you from having to take the new engine apart I would certainly consider doing it that way! Our 873 is set up the same way, however so far I've yet to have to take the engine out. There should be a subframe just above the main frame of the machine on some isolation mounts that you undo and the whole assembly comes out as one. Do you have a service manual for your machine? If not I highly recommend getting one. It will show you exactly what you need to do.
 

Reds Skid Steers

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2021
Messages
57
Hang in there. Working on it yourself will give you migranes but it can be done. Me for example, I have a 742B skid steer with a Mitsubishi 4G32 engine. This engine was made in the 70's ( I thought it may have come with the skid steer when they built it in 1993) but, I'm not to sure that was the engine Bobcat installed in them back then. I also get an awkward look when I tell some mechanics it's a Mitsubishi engine in my skid steer. Maybe somebody knows what they mostly installed in Bobcats back in the 90's. Anyway, after getting quotes for somebody to rebuid my engine, I was getting quotes of anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 for a rebuild. And I was told how hard it is to get parts for constantly! But I am lucky enough to have a mechanic friend who offered me to use his garage, his tools and his advice for free. I was pretty nervous about it, being I have never rebuilt an engine in my life. But he assured me it I could do it. So I have already pulled the engine, tore it down, cleaned the engine and the engine bay which was full of dirt and grease and oil, honed the cylinder walls and now am awaiting the parts to be shipped to me, which took me over a week to find. I had number 1 cylinder with broken rings and number 4 cylinder with broken rings. I was blowing oil so bad that you couldn't see when you fired it up inside. I knew I was in for some work on it. But, I dove right in and have been tearing it down and getting it ready for about 2 weeks. With some good support, if you've never done it before it can be done. Just take your time, label the heck out of everything or take pictures as you go and use the resources on this site to help you. Good luck. It's possible!
 

spitzair

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 17, 2009
Messages
168
How did you end up making out with this project? I came across this video just now and thought of you... this is a 773 but the 753 should be very similar if not identical...
 

Reds Skid Steers

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2021
Messages
57
How did you end up making out with this project? I came across this video just now and thought of you... this is a 773 but the 753 should be very similar if not identical...

I have the engine out, cleaned everything and have it ready to put back together. But, I am having a terrible time finding a full rebuild kit for it. If you know who carries the kits it would be greatly appreciated.
 

spitzair

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 17, 2009
Messages
168
Sorry Reds, I was thinking of Too Much Tin's 753 with this video… as for your Mitsubishi I have no idea where to find parts for one of those. You could try Jensales.com, I got all the parts I needed for my Ford KSG416 from them, maybe they can help you…
 

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