Leaderboard

Picked up the 1054 at the auction this afternoon along with the 54" dozer/snow blade. Other attachments they sold separately. Got so busy with guys congratulations on the tractor did not hear what other items went for.... Told the owner I will send him a few photos when I get done fixing her up. His Uncle bought it new in 1964. PS it drives like a dream!!

Here is the $50 WH that was on ebay this past Saturday. Steve (wh500special) knew I was looking for one, so he grabbed it and then passed it on to me. I picked it up just now and it's sitting now in the garage with the 416-8 and some JDs. It's missing some engine pieces and the front wheels are bolted to hubs, incorrect rear wheels, and the deck is pretty shot, and I'm pretty sure the seat spring is backwards. But, it's safe and sound now.

Waiting for the bus???

I made the trip two years ago all the way from Great Britain and it was one of the best experiences so of my life , met so,e amazing people . Would love to do it again .

Life has been crazy as always so I have not been here much. There has been a victory! As per my last updates #145 &#142, new belt is still going with no issues whatsoever. Last change in deck was to relocate idler to the outer hole in tension bar.Prior to that problem persisted. The only last thing I need to do to confirm solution is to actually use another brand belt to see what happens. If everything is OK with that one we can safely assume that the lack of proper tension was the problem. If problem reoccurs with that belt, then belt quality/type will be the problem.

The things you see after the show

Kinda looks to me that all three of them are liking what they're seeing in the lobby. I need to go out there.

Looking good Richie. That would fit in very well with some of the cool customs at the show and there will be lots more tomorrow when the show officially opens. The super D that @gulftanebuilt is a site to behold and you ought to hear it. I'm batting almost 1000 on the stuff to bring back. Haven't got the hood from Lane yet but we talked about it. Just haven't picked it up yet. Nice afternoon, a great Mexican meal with the guys and wives, some rain this evening and it's supposed to be nice tomorrow.

Iif you only knew what the conversation was about!

Fender pan back to one piece. More hammering, grinding and still need to make the mounts.

You wouldn't beleive it Neil. Thursday looked like the main show day there are so many tractors here.

Don't worry....We'll bungee you into a camp chair, put you in a tub and chauffer you around to drool on the horses...plus there will more n likely some bros will have a two seater ther.

Six hours on the road almost there and the only horse I've seen is the one behind me.

SUCCESS !!!! Replaced the black ignition ring with a new one (Gray) strong magnets, and the beast roared to life !!! Just to sum up the problems, the coil secondary was bad also, open winding. The ignition module may be still OK, I will check this out later on the bench to see if the circuit will operate with a makeshift tester. Now the H518 has a new capacitor, a new coil, a new ignition module (and heat shield spacer), and a new ignition ring. The former parts lasted 29 years, so if these new parts last that long I will be 102 years old and probably won't even be able to mount the horse any longer !!! LOL As a side note, after removing all the parts to get at the ignition module and ignition ring, as well as the coil, I can now do this blindfolded, sort of like field stripping my old M14 from Army days. Thank you to all who contributed some really GREAT information regarding this problem, may you all win the lottery !! Dick

This was my first time attending this event , If you Love wheel horses make the trip! you will not be disappointed. The amount of wheel horses gathered in one place almost unbelievable. Lots of great people there . Got some good ( great!) deals from the vendors too you know who you are :). Thanks to all !

I took a tall chute assembly off a beat up blower and put it on a good short chute. Works great. I just took everything from the base to the top of the chute and transferred it over

The 6.5hp Predator engine bolts right down in the existing frame holes, Down side is the air cleaner will only fit under the hood if you remove the top cover. The muffler does not fit under the hood either. I added a different air cleaner, down side made the brake hard to get to. Fixed that later by bolting a wrench on top of the brake peddle. Purchased an exhaust flange and bent 3/4" conduit to reach a muffler under the hood, no down side on that. After these alterations I had to drill the main jet out with a #67 drill bit.

Go to the "Big Show" the raffle prize is a Tri-cycle Wheel Horse! I really don't know. I have seen several of them, but never was that interested because as a worker it may be too unstable.

Any pics of it in person? You made all this hype about this tractor now Let us see it too!

Emory says "Let's go!"

If the tank was "goobered into the tank a threaded nipple" the standard grommet may not seal properly. All is not lost, a bulkhead fitting may do the trick. You would have to drill the tank hole larger and use a bulkhead fitting. Fish a string through the gas cap opening and out the new and de-burred hole. Put the inner part of the bulkhead fitting with its' gasket on the string letting it travel to your newly cut (hole sawed) hole. Wriggle the fitting threads through the hole and screw the bulkhead compression nut on. The fitting gasket must be inside the tank or product (gas) will seep around the fitting threads and drip, drip, drip. http://www.marinedepot.com/Double_Threaded_Bulkhead_Fitting_Double_Threaded_Bulkheads-Plumbing_Parts-FT1131-FIFTBHDT-vi.html Then a thread by barb fitting and a gas line valve and of course a fuel filter. Use Teflon tape on the barb's threads. https://www.grainger.com/product/THOGUS-Male-Adapter-WP121689/_/N-qvx?s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/3XVK8_AS01?$smthumb$ https://www.grainger.com/product/THOGUS-1-2-Nylon-Male-Adapter-1VRY8?functionCode=P2IDP2PCP

I know there are several guys in motorized wheel chairs that are at every show. I'm hoping they may be able to assist you. But...if they can't, you know this bunch of guys will find a way to make it work.

Just decided to do a warmer hobby. Snowmobiled for 40 years.I so bought a 856.My father bought a Wheel Horse in 1965 .I would mow and pick rocks every week's for many years.Now I'm going restore this tractor and enjoy this hobby with people. I'll start posting soon.Big John

My 518 bought new in 1988 started having electrical problems when hot (typical coil/ignition module issues) so I replaced both. The coil was bad, secondary was open, but while I had the flywheel off I cleaned the engine, replaced the ignition module, but not the ignition ring as it looked fine. After the parts arrived, I installed the ignition module and made sure the ring (which had moved while removing the flywheel) had the key-way lined up with the new key on the crankshaft, and installed the new coil. Engine cranks over fine, carb is getting fuel, no spark to plugs. The test light lights when on the neg. terminal of the coil and dims when cranking (stays dim while cranking, I cannot see pulsing action. The test light on the positive side of the coil is lit and stays lit while cranking dimming slightly. I pulled one plug and checked for spark while cranking...nothing, no spark on a good plug. The new insulator "IS" on the back of the ignition module. Can the ignition ring be bad? If so, how, it looked fine, no cracks, no damage noticeable.

I will just be happy with photos!

ok great to know.here are some pics of the loader.We are building new arms for the loader and cut out some of the old parts.I ordered some cylinders to from the post you sent me.

Probably would make more cents(pun)... to just replace the whole thing with one of these instead. Will PM you the link.

Tried sending pictures but hardly any signal here.... Will say the guy just started it up and ran it around the yard and house,started right up.

Great! You got it going, Mine is still running like a champ ! Cant believe that little plastic ring was such a headache ! I got my new Volt gauge today and installed and also changed oil & Filter while I was still on it . That was it my original SW gauge was defective . So at least now I can keep an eye on my charging system again . Have a great summer !

Can't wait to attend this one..... let's see, I'll be 162 years old.

Thanks!! Was raining this morning, I hope it still is auction time. Maybe scare away some bidders....

I was lucky that the local Toro store had the bushing and valve and even luckier that the hole in the tank hadn't been expanded. For the total cost of $12 I've got a shut off valve with filter and a new bushing. Why the previous owner didn't just fix it right given the low cost is mind boggling. I'll replace the hose asap. Anyone know off hand how long a piece I need? Louis

Glad to see another Floridian!! not too many of us here. While you are at it, you might want to do the fuel lines and an in-line filter. Be sure to use no ethanol (marine) gas, if not already. Might want to flush out the tank of any debris, too. Simple things when you have a temporary hole in the tank. There is great support on this site. Love and passion for these great machines. Download the manuals if you have not already. Welcome to the club!

Thank you to everyone. My heart sank when I saw the previous owner's "fix". With your help it turns out that it's not that big a problem. I'm getting a lot of satisfaction bringing my tractor back to the condition it should have been kept in all along. I had no idea that they were collectable and that there was a support system for the Wheel Horses.

Well today is auction day , we'll just give it our best shot!!! . Should be interesting for sure.

Might be making a last minute trip to the show on Friday and have never been there before. Are generators allowed in the camping areas and is there room for a 25' bumper pull trailer?

By Friday evening you may be out of luck for the electric sites. Don't worry, you won't need A/C at night. Just open the windows and let the cool mountain air in. However, there is a large field that is used for overflow parking. Some guys set up camp out there by the trees, I don't think a generator would bother anyone out there. But, you still would need to clear it with staff.

I bought it last week. less then $250.00 the 500 special was 1960's models. this is 1981. anyone know the carb adjustment screws. how many turns each? I changed the plugs and its running rough and backfiring. theres the top, side, and speed screws.

Sorry guys but I have been in Gettysburg since Sunday but I do have samples with -- see all of you tomorrow

Heading out.

VanSickle makes a real good acrylic enamel that is reasonably priced. I have used it on multiple projects from farm & garden tractors restorations to trucks. If you prefer a oil base enamel they also make that. I use the acrylic because I the dry times are shorter and the gloss is better.

Got it, thank you Jess !!

I cannot find "Save Old Iron: comments on Jess's page, where is it ?

I would suggest checking the other 518 Onan post by Jess ,going on right now "Save Old Iron" has some really good trouble shooting tips and explanations for/about the IM coil and trigger ring,Jeff.

checkout Chuck's post from several years back.

Hi Jeff, yes, I seem to remember the ring WAS BLACK because it had slipped around on the crank shaft about 90 degrees when I removed the flywheel, so I had to slip it back to align it to the key-way slot. Damn......now I have to take the whole doggone shroud etc etc off again, pull the flywheel, etc to check out and more than likely replace the ring. It would make some logical sense that the magnets may be weak because as I check the negative side of the coil with my light tester, the light dims but has what seems to be a very weak flicker. If the magnetic pulse is too weak, the circuit in the module will not produce a solid ground for the primary of the coil. Without a strong current in the primary of the coil, the secondary of the coil will not produce a high enough voltage to cause a spark jump in the plug electrodes. I guess I know what I will be doing tomorrow morning !!!