Gravely Tractor L8

I have (4) Gravely L8's and with your help from this post, have two that will start, but won't stay going. Supposing that they are in need of some expensive parts? Carburetors, carburetor kits, governors, pistons, rings and whatever else? If you have been in a situation such as this, please give me your comments as how you challenged this and got your Gravely Tractor going? Would you rebuild your own carburetor or purchase a new one? Guessing that these Gravely's sat around for 15- 20 years without much care and the carburetors are loose and orifice's and jet's are ruined? Thank you.
Bob

I got into Gravely two wheel tractors in the early 1990's. At that time I was in my early 40's. Gravely stopped making their own engines about 1975. The Gravely company had be purchased by Ariens in the 1980's. Two wheel tractors were still being made and there were at least two Gravely dealers in my town (Indianapolis) that carried a fair amount of parts and had mechanics with experience in the two wheel tractors. I bought several two wheel tractors for about $300 @ (or less) which had at least one attachment. I bought all new parts to fix minor issues. I had one jug rebored oversize and bought a new piston and ring set. As I recall, this cost more that I spent for the tractor.

In the late 1990's I bought a couple of late 1980's Kohler engine Gravely two wheel tractors and haven't used the older Gravely engine tractors since. The main reasons that I switched to the Kohler engine models was parts availability, and the Kohlers had electronic ignition, a charging system, and didn't require separate magnetos and governors.

I don't believe that there are any good answers to your question, but it depends on why you want to fix your machines and what you will do with them. If you want a machine to use, buying a newer machine or repowering your machines with more modern engines is something to consider. If you want to sell your machines for profit, good luck.

Now I am in my 70's and the Kohler K and Magnum series engines are no longer made. Many parts are still available, but high priced. The Gravely dealers that I dealt with in the 1990's are no longer in business or have discontinued their relationship with Gravely. There a a couple of "new" Gravely dealers in the area, but they are run by folks who weren't born when the last Gravely engine was made.

Prices of any still available parts are high and many are difficult to track down. It's is easy to find old parts manuals, but the part numbers from the 1970's were changed when Ariens purchased Gravely, and most have changed several times since.

You mentioned carburetors and governors. I believe that the carb kits are still available for your machines. New carburetors (if available) would be in the $400 to $500 range. The Gravely engines had either Pierce or Hoof governors. The Pierce Company, Inc. got out of the governor business about a decade ago. I believe that Hoof still makes governors, but have no idea whether they make or would service one for your machines.

If they start and you're sure it's a fuel issue, then cleaning and rebuilding the carbs isn't hard. If it's a mag issue they can usually be cleaned and fixed. If it's just wear and tear, that gets expensive fast. Check out some of the dedicated Gravely forums for more info. There are some online places (Richards Lawn and Garden for one) that have pretty much everything for the old Gravelys but it's a niche market and prices reflect that.

Hi Bob,
The carbs shouldn't be loose. The bolts on the carb to intake and intake to head should have gaskets and be tight. They have to be air tight not to have problems. The throttle shaft and choke shaft should also not be loose or air will bleed in and lean out the mixture too much. A trick to see if there are any air leaks is to use an unlit propane torch and go around each joint. If the RPMs go up, then there is a leak there. Here is some pictures of the carb on my L8. There are several different types and you have to know which one you have to get the right carb kit. I have dealt with



gtgravelyparts

Gentlemen,
So thankful for your replies, and they were very helpful. I love the way these Gravely's work and believe that they were the most sort after tractors in their time. I am a master gardener and the rotary plow works so much better any regular tiller. Wanting one Gravely to do garden work and another to snowtblow the driveway. Though quite mechanical and love working on these machines it can be quite the challenging. Thanks again.
Bob

I have one. It was given to me. I needed to rebuild the carb, clean out the fuel tank and replace the points. My biggest expense was the magneto cap which was cracked on mine. I had to buy a replacement which was pricey, but I needed it. Mine runs great and is a beast with the mower deck on it. I've used the plow to dig holes for fence posts. Absolutely love it.

ASEguy,
Yes, when they are running there isn't anything I know that can compete. Been wanting to work on these machines for some time and find much in the way of repairs as they won't stay going. Have taken the carburetor off the one that was going a couple winters ago and have it all apart. Found that there wasn't any gas in it because obviously air getting in from loose throttle, choke, bad jets, and in serious need of a rebuilding kit. Am going to go over this one with a fine tooth comb. Have a nice day!
Bob

Hi Bill,
You were absolutely right! I took the carburetor off the one probably the best of them all and found many loose parts. The screws securing the two half's could have been tighter, the throttle shaft very loose, the choke shaft loose, jet points with dents from whatever (bad gas)? Can you believe that there wasn't any gas in the carburetor? Guessing that so much air getting in everywhere that it was all sucked out? Will be ordering a kit today from Richards Lawn and Garden. Thanks for your help Bill and I sure can use the information you sent over. Have a nice day!
Bob