Got hot.  Mech. said the cyl. walls prob. got scorched.  Uses some oil now.  Starts harder when cold.  Right at 7000 hrs. Rest of the machine is good.

Just what is a person looking at ?  Is this an eng. where you can replace the pistons and sleeves ?  Do you stop there ?  Prob. just have to see what it looks like when it is opened up I bet.  That is with the bearings, cam, ect.  Right ?  Much savings in using parts other than original JD parts ?   Better off just putting a reman. short block on ?  Questions, questions. lol.