My First Horse!! C161 Twin 8 Speed

[TXMowerSaver 7]

Hello. This week I traded my 1988 Craftsman III with Onan P220 project tractor for a Wheel Horse C161 Twin 8 Speed project. Me and my friend are happy with the trade, we both had tgese two tractors sitting around not being worked on and we both wanted each others tractor so we did a straight swap. We were asking $100 for each of our tractors sowe just figured heck with it a did a straight trade. He got this tractor in a deal with some others I believe and hasnever done anything with it. When he got it the right side (looking at it from flywheel side) cylinder head was removed as well as the engine tins and coil, not sure why. Engine spins good and the piston and vales operate correctly on the right side, I have not yet had time to remove the other head and see if that side works well. I have a few parts for it already like the engine tins and a coil but I still need to buy a head and the bolts. Should be getting a head tomorrow.

The tractor came with a 42" rear discharge deck as well and it is in great shape and all spindles spin good. The fiberglass hood and fenderpan are in great shape with no stress cracks or anything, the hood is a little rough where it meets the dash but not bad. The original headlight lens is gone but a homemade plexiglass lens takes its place. The 8 speed Unidrive unit needs axle seals quite badly. The steering wheel is broken and needs to be replaced. Seat is a little rough as well. Original rear tires hold air fairly well. All in all its a pretty good tractor. I do have some questions tho.

What other models have the same steering wheel?

Where can I get the bushings for the engine mounting plate?

Where can I get axle seals?

Thanks in advance for any and all answers to my questions and thanks for reading! I will try and get some photos uploaded soon!

[slammer302 2,154]

The fiberglass hoods that are in good condition are rare. And their are sum steering wheels on eBay and I bought the axle seals for my four my commando 8 at a auto parts store

[TXMowerSaver 7]

Photos of my Horse! Also a photo of my Craftsman I traded for it.

The fiberglass hoods that are in good condition are rare. And their are sum steering wheels on eBay and I bought the axle seals for my four my commando 8 at a auto parts store

Cool! Thanks!

[ericj 1,576]

check the valve seats briggs like to pop out as bad or worse then onans

 

 

 

 

eric j

[TXMowerSaver 7]

check the valve seats briggs like to pop out as bad or worse then onans

eric j

Thanks I will give them a good looking over!

[Molon_Labe 731]

and thanks for posting the pics. That will make you a nice project. A little TLC and it'll look great.

[Sparky-(Admin) 19,439]

Good trade! Make sure you address that loose hub (right rear wheel if your sitting on it) before you start driving it around. Hopefully it hasn't wrecked the axle keyway.

Mike............

[tbarnhart 240]

Yes, Those hoods are rare. My cousin has one that busted all to pieces. I wouldn't mind finding one for it, but I might just find a way to put the metal narrow hood back on. His has been repowered with a Vanguard and I think I can make the metal hood fit if I make a special exhaust.

[jackhammer 544]

Nice 79, its a great feeling when you get that 1st one.  You'll have a good time with it, after your done with the above suggestions.

[AMC RULES 36,941]

Nice looking new  addiction you've just brought home...

another good thing I see there is...lots of storage space.      

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

Looks like you made out.I'd trade any kind of Crapsman tractor for any kind of Wheel Horse any day.Have fun with your new toy.

[AMC RULES 36,941]

                            

[wheelhorseman 3,197]

Nice trade and nice find you will be happy you got rid of that crapsman

[TXMowerSaver 7]

Thanks everyone! The Craftsman I traded was fairly rare as well. The Craftsman III was only made in 1988 and had a Onan P220 and electric lift. But this Wheel Horse is definitely more tractor than that box store GT. One thing I found already that I really like is the super easy quick attachment system under the tractor. Very easy to remove and install the 42" mower deck. I will try and powerwash the tractor and deck today so I can see exactly what I am dealing with. Pictures will follow. Thanks again everyone!

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487]

Best of luck and thanks for the pictures.

Glenn

[Catmanii 36]

You made out well on that trade. You'll find the WH is very easy to work on and yes the attachment system is great. Most of the parts can be had at auto stores or McMaster Carr or ebay, just a matter of looking with you fingers on the computer. Have fun because it is sure worth doing. 

[JackC 616]

I have one of those.  The plastic fender is substantially thicker and stronger than the ones on the early 80's C Series. The steering wheel is 13 inch and should be the same as those on all the early 80's C Series.  The 1978 and 1979 C-161's were the first black hoods and the only ones with fiberglass hoods.  Since the rear fender sits so high, the only appearance mod I am considering for mine is wider rear tires.  When you put gas in the tank, you will want a long neck on your gas can because the fill opening is down well below the high rear lip on the fender.  Good luck with it.

 

Here is a link to the partstree.com  parts diagrams.  

 

http://www.partstree.com/parts/?lc=toro_consumer&mn=91-16B802%2C+C-161+Twin+8-Speed+Tractor%2C+1979

 

Here are some pics of mine. It was well taken care of and it just sits in storage for now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TXMowerSaver 7]

I have one of those. The plastic fender is substantially thicker and stronger than the ones on the early 80's C Series. The steering wheel is 13 inch and should be the same as those on all the early 80's C Series. The 1978 and 1979 C-161's were the first black hoods and the only ones with fiberglass hoods. Since the rear fender sits so high, the only appearance mod I am considering for mine is wider rear tires. When you put gas in the tank, you will want a long neck on your gas can because the fill opening is down well below the high rear lip on the fender. Good luck with it.

Here is a link to the partstree.com parts diagrams.

http://www.partstree.com/parts/?lc=toro_consumer&mn=91-16B802%2C+C-161+Twin+8-Speed+Tractor%2C+1979

Here are some pics of mine. It was well taken care of and it just sits in storage for now.

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Wow! Thank you very much! Thats a fine looking tractor too!

[TXMowerSaver 7]

Sorry about the slow progress. Rain and work have kept me away from my toys lol. I did get the tractor and deck washed but it didn't make much difference (weak power washer) I will try and work on it when I can and post progress but it probably won't be until after the holidays and maybe next year.

[Wheelie horse 90]

Looks like a fun project

[TXMowerSaver 7]

The Horse got a lift for Christmas! Will make it much easier to work on underneath. Oh I have another question too. Why do my rear axles slide in and out of the casing? I know they should not do this. Trans still works, I mean in neutral it rolls and in gear it doesent. Not sure what it could be? Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

[baerpath 517]

Is it the hubs moving ? I see there shoved in.  Some play n the axle itself is fine 1/4 inch is okay 1/2 could be a problem

[oliver2-44 8,834]

The left axle on my recently acquired (non running) 1979 C-161 hydro also moves out about 1/4" while the right is fairly solid. I'll be interested if you find any problem as it will be a while before I restore mine. 

It's also interesting that you 79 C-161 has fiberglass black hood and seat pan while mine has sheet metal but matches the rusty pattern of the rest of the tractor. 

 

 

[Geno 1,928]

The lift is very cool. 

[TXMowerSaver 7]

The right side axle slid in and out at least an inch, not the hub but the axle. Maybe thats why I have such an oil leak there?

Edited December 27, 2014 by TXMowerSaver