Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Parts Manual for Bolens 824, parts catalogs, snow thrower

Question
Fred, thanks for your earlier response.   I have tried to
find a parts manual on the MTD website using all their
helpful tools, but no success.  I'm guessing that ser.
0200297 is too old for their records. The automated
response I get is "not available".   Any other suggestions
or locations where I might find a parts manual?  
Can you tell from the serial number what year my Bolens
snow thrower is?

Answer
Sorry I have no idea when it was manufactured.  Have you tried using the MTD dealer locator?  At this point you need to be in contact with our MTD dealer.  If the product was manufactured in the 80s you might have a very hard time coming across a manual.  You could always try putting an ad on craigslist.  This website is searched daily by many dealers trying to sell obsolete inventory.  Depending upon what parts you need there are a lot of generic parts catalogs offering different drive, bearing, pulley, belts and wheel parts.  The common parts would be universal.  If the snow thrower is in good shape it would be worth having a dealer give you an estimate on the repair costs if not I would disassemble it and sell the parts to other people looking for bowlines snow thrower parts.  Best of luck I hope you find the solution you are looking for.