Murray 12/38

shinnery

Well-known Member
Just acquired a Murray Lawn Tractor 12 HP and 38 inch cut. The model numbers on the rear are 38608X92C and date made says 1221. I was told it is a 1991 model. The first problem is the fuel line is broken off the bottom of the gas tank. The tank is no longer available. Is there some kind of a fitting I can bolt thru the bottom of the tank to still use the tank or possibly epoxy a fitting or threads on the bottom of the tank?
I was told about a year ago a person was using it to mow a customer's yard and the customer had to leave and paid the mower operator before they left. When they got back the mower and trailer were left at the yard. Operator never came back after it and after six months the customer had the mower hauled to impound. Six months later the Impound sold it and I bought it (under $200). The engine turns but the fuel line is broken off the tank. I also need to get a battery if it runs. After a year the rear tires on the mower are inflated and the tires (4.80-8) on the trailer are inflated.
Bryce
 
I accidentally broke the nipple out of a fuel tank once and we fixed it with a fuel tank grommet (like Wheel Horse tractors use) and an outlet elbow. I think any small engine shop should be able to fix you up with those parts. That grommet is also found on John Deere equipment, Toro mowers, and Bobcat Mowers, among others.

I drilled the hole where the nipple had been out to 1/2", reamed it somewhat larger, popped the grommet in, lubricated the elbow with silicone and pushed it into the grommet, which swelled it and sealed it in the hole. The elbow had a hose barb on it the same size as the old nipple had and fit the fuel hose perfectly.
 
I just looked it up. The grommet is Oregon 07-392 and the elbow is Oregon 07-390. the grommet is made to fit a 33/64 diameter hole. (which is 1/64 inch bigger than 1/2")
 
First.. Sorry for the large photo. Grabbed the first clear one I found..

Threaded Brass or Stainless tire valve stems.. They come in many different sizes and shapes.

Remove all of the old grommet from the tank. Run a thin wire (electric fence or welding wire works great) up through the hole and out of the filler neck leaving enough on both ends to work with. Remove the valve from the stem. Run the wire through the stem end of the valve and out through the threaded end and bend it over (do not wrap the wire around the stem). Drop the stem into the tank and pull the other until the valve stem come through the hole. Install the nut on the stem and tighten snugly. Pull the wire from the stem.. You may need to enlarge the hole for the stem so that the threads will come through. Be careful in doing so for you want as much of the flat section of the brass stem to contact the tank as possible..

1/4" fuel line fit the stem very snugly and a lot of times you will not even need a clamp to keep it in place or from leaking. I have fixed many plastic and metal fuel tanks with them and have never had a problem with one failing or delivering a good fuel supply.


3591.jpg



PS: Do not use a rubber type stem. For they will not hole up to gasoline very long.
 
Several good ideas here to try. The tank just barely had a nipple molded on the bottom, right at the center seam. I was going to come back here and say I had found a way to cure my problem at the Northern Tool site.
I was over there looking for wider tires for the trailer as I am in 60 acres of sugar sand. Those little 4.80-8s are going to sink right in as soon as I get it off my cleache fill areas. The tires on my Kubota UTV stay up on top the sand just fine. Northern Tool has several small tanks that I can use to replace my whole tank if none of the above ideas work.
This tank has tabs on both ends and is fastened to the side metal just below the instrument panel, some "plumbers straps" or something will hold a replacement tank if it comes to that.
First thing is get it started and be sure it is worth fixing.
Bryce
 
Farmer John that tank shows to be a little over 14" wide and I think I only measured 13 1/2 between the metal tabs the current one bolts to. I will study it some more. Northern Tool has a couple of tanks for about $35.
Wonder why nobody shows the bottom of tanks they want to sell?
Bryce
 
I have an old 11 hp IC B&S powered Craftsman that was given to me that has the same type of fuel tank. It only holds about 1 1/2 gallons of fuel.


2972.jpg


2973.jpg



If the nipple ever broke on the tank. It would be ground flat, drilled and a 90 degree brass vale stem installed.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top