Well, after nearly a year, I had the most of my MH23 Mustang back together, after mostly painting, cleaning, nothing particularly extensive. The generator got a new bearing and the starter a check, as well as carb re-build, etc. When I put the battery in place - the one that had been with it when I bought it last October - I saw it needed a charge so I put it on for a while. Interestingly the charger never wanted to move to fully charged, but I tried to start the tractor. It turned over, rather slowly, so I figured a battery problem. I bought a new charger, and still couldn't get it to spin what I thought was fast enough. Anyway, I then took the battery to my mechanic friend. He advised the battery was showing okay. Since the tractor was turning slowly, he suggested taking the plugs out, dropping a bit of oil in each cylinder, using air in to distribute the oil, and then to turn it over. This I did, and it seemed to turn fine. Then I put the plugs back - new ones last year - and tried again - no success. I then pulled one plug, and checked the tightness of the plug cables, and left the last plug not screwed down. This time, when hitting the starter, I got a puff of smoke from the exhaust. Putting the plug tight, and some attempts later, I got a good dense smoke from the exhaust - the oil - as she started. The smoke slowly cleared up. Wow, it sounded like a sewing machine, so steady, and great to hear after a year of working on it. Now I know the feeling of making it work the way it should. However, I have a problem. She starts fine, but depressing the clutch pedal will not dis-engage the clutch. My mechanic friend figures rust over the year of non-use has caused the clutch to stick. I tried starting it in gear, driving it, hoping that would free-up. No change. I put it in gear, tied the clutch down, and tried rocking it. Again no difference. To night I tied the clutch down, and will leave it to see if anything frees -up that way. Any ideas? Do I try to pull it with my truck, in gear, with the clutch pedal tied down? Any ideas appreciated.
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