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I previously had another thread going when I started my hot rod project. But here now is an updated thread. I pulled what was left of a 1961 model 551 Wheel Horse out of a wooded lot about five years ago, May 2012... Craigslist find about 30 miles from my home... Since then, I been working off and on rebuilding this tractor into a hot rod project. This past year, I completely disassembled the transaxle and replaced all internal bearings and seals. Anyway, this is where I am now... The frame and transaxle are now painted metallic black. The frame was "stretched" about 4". Custom items mounted so far include a go-kart racing steering wheel, quarter midget front wheels/tires, and aluminum rear wheel spacers for mounting Cragar rear wheels. Just yesterday, I temporarily bolted on the seat, fenders and hood to check for fit and clearance before those items get a final coat of metallic red paint... So, this project is now on the front burner and I am hoping to get more done to it in the coming weeks. Stay tuned...

I wonder if the air bag deployed? I see that the center cap is off!!!

Napa: 734803 metallic wire @ $.50 a foot 727006 90 deg plug terminal @ $.50 ea 727303 coil nipple @ $ .70 ea. 727003 coil termina l@ $ .50 ea 727402 Plug boot @ $2.50 ea. You can make your own wire any length you want. I sprung for the special crimp tool because I make a lot of wires but with some patience you can use regular crimpers. The right crimper is 726618 @$ 53.00

Don't see why it wouldn't fit, but the colors are not at all complementary.

Hello all, I am from the Mill Hall,Pa area.Been reading forums for a few days and like the friendliness of the people here and all the good info.I have had a wheel horse 210-5 mower with a 36 inch deck for years and like it but needed an upgrade. Looked at a 414-8 with a "I think" a 44 inch rear discharge deck. Man, what a difference; great machine and a pleasure to mow.Will try to get pictures,but too hot out for a 72 year old guy for now. Mal

New member here. Springwater NY I have owned my 310-8 for about 10 years, It's tough and very reliable. Last weekend I bought the 518-H. When I got it home it didn't seem to have the ability to climb the hill in my back yard. About a 15 degree slope. I found out ( A little Late ) Wheel Horse used 2 different Transaxles in these. Apparently I got the Eaton 700. Thru your sight and a very helpful Retired Wheel Horse dealer I changed the oil to a Synthetic. Seems 100% better. I am looking to replace Transaxle with a Eaton 1100.No rush. I do believe I got a great deal even with the 700 Tranny. Tractor with weights and chains, 48" side discharge ,42 Rear Discharge,48" Plow and a cart. $550 The Tractor needs some work and a Paint job, But it runs well and mows great. Thanks for the help and keep up the good work .

@Govlarry dale you'll have to excuse all of us guys for taking advantage of your post. If you stick around long enough and read the posts that others start you will see the child come out in all of us. It's all good humor that makes me read here everyday. But you'll get the right answer to every question you have about these wonderful machines. The guys here try to guide every new Member in the right direction to keep these tractors running good. We have a deep passion for wheel horse's and you'll always get help here by the brightest and best.

WOW!!! Is everyone OK.?? Do you actually mow down that hill?? I think you need a retaining wall and level out the yard. This picture is unreal.

The best payment, for anything, is knowledge, and i can tell there's a lot to be learned here and i wouldn't want to mess that up....great sight guys....thanks

I posted with one of the pics ACman think it's with the 2nd pic Really it didn't take much to fix a crow bar and hammer. It bent the plate on the steering shaft. Tie Rods were fine.

Somewhere a tie rod end was hurt. Glad the operator wasn't.

"When I got to the bottom of the hill, I didn't know if I should turn left or right, so I did both!"

My old 606 rat is what I use for chores and pulling in the summer and I plan to use it to push snow in the winter. With the AGs with fluid and weights it was pretty rough on the yard when I would pull the spreader and aerator making relatively quick, tight turns. Sorta silly but I came up with some 520 wheels and cheap Chinese turfs to use in the summer. I was gonna put the rear hub caps back on but I kinda like he deep dish look for now. The AGs and caps will go back on when the snow blade does.

Buy it. That's one tractor that I'd love to own. SK-486. Special Kohler, 48" deck, 6=16 HP (K341). 1982 production, but utilized left-over parts from 1978 through 1982. That's what makes it Special. This to me is a real collectors item.

Easy bolt in!

No big deal, just needs a minor toe-in adjustment.

I guess I''m not a purist. It could be made to fit and be painted with red vinyl paint and be a real nice custom....Lord knows there are plenty of customs.....

Red paint!

That looks bad on so many levels!

This reminds me a little of a mower incident in my parents neighborhood when I was growing up. My parents home is on a river with a high bank behind all the homes adjacent to them along the river. A guy took a trip down the bank & into the river on a JD riding mower years ago. That must've been an exciting ride.

I bet that big honkin deck acted like a boat anchor!

I don't see a face plant mark in the mud so everything is fine!

I'm just curious if a John Deere cozy cab would fit on a wheel horse. There would probably be modifying but how much?

Really happy for dad. 2 months shy of his 71st birthday we finally located his dream truck. I have been sending him options for the last year and a half and this one punched all of the boxes. 1955 Ford F100 with a 351w. Disc brakes, independent front suspension, vintage a/c. The truck is perfect for us as it is not perfect but we can put a few of our own small touches on it. Can't wait to hit some shows! He also picked up this pretty clean "grocery getter" about a month and a half ago. This will be enjoyed and tinkered with. My 11 year old wants it for her first car. Haha! 1988 4x4 Ranger with 89k original miles. Fun little truck to cruise around town.

The Lawn Ranger I picked up now lives! It only needed an exhaust, carburetor, air cleaner, belts, a Lawn Ranger seat.....

One of my biggest disappointments is the lack of cab choices for WHs. From what I've seen and can tell JD whips up on WH in the cab department. Blasphemy here on this forum I'm sure, but for the sake of full disclosure, some others will agree. Hate the color but love that cab!

Welcome fellow NY'er!

Great work!!!! I put a 6.5 Predator on my Suburban 400, after I took it a part & did some internal upgrades. I had to put some wheelie bars on after almost flipping it over backwards. Big engine is cool in these lil things, gas cap touching your nose not so much.

Looking good so far. I see lots of room there for a high hp Kohler twin... just sayin'...let'er rip.

I'm game. Nice job so far. I remember when you started it. Good to someone able to get back to working on things. Hope I am not far behind.

Love this post for all the best and worst reasons....

A couple years ago, I bought a new 6hp Predator engine at Harbor Freight. It's still in the box unopened. But since then, I had the framed stretched about 4". And now that I'm in the roller/assembly stage, I think there is plenty of space for a larger/higher hp engine. Still thinking about that 🤔

Wow ....saweet! I might as well be the one to ask....motor is going to be a ?

Simple answer to your initial inquiry is that all K181 connecting rods are the same length, whether they are undersized or standard. The only difference is the bearing surfaces are built up on an undersized rod. From the center line of the piston pin to the center line of the crank pin is the same.

No, they won't interchange. One shouldn't be too hard to find though. I'll check to see if I have one later today.

Let this be a lesson. Can't think about these things too long. Life didn't allow me to move that quickly on this. Congratulations! I hope it's as good as it looks and serves you well for years to come. I was leaning toward passing on it anyway. Just no time to go pick it up.

Looks nice. I always attempt a Resurrection on a WH before repainting.

Doesn't look like the steering wheel is bent, must not be a "full figured gal" like me!

Had some wildlife come wish me a happy birthday this evening. There were 5 total but did not like the idea of a group shot with Charlie barking at them.

All I can say is " taking a ride like that I would be cleaning more than mud off my face" Wonder how the tie rods look ?

See the comments with his pics... he bailed so no one was hurt...

Looks like it's either praying or bowling. I would have eat mud if I was on that. I hope nobody was hurt.

I hope nobody was hurt. That looks like a ride I wouldn't want to take. Stopped too fast

Meanwhile, I put a post in the chatbox reminding Steve to aim for the right kind of ball while golfing and it gets removed!

OH! MY LAWN! Looks like your anti-scalping wheels failed.

Thanks sarge....buy unfortunately thats my problem now just finding a good machine shop. I have a guy that done a lot motor cycle work for me but he wont do small engine work. So if anyone know of one around Kalamazoo Mi. Let me know.... And pictures well i dis just get started but heres one....thanks

the information they are looking for is the center to center distance from the crankshaft center line to the wrist pin center line of the connecting rod, best to let them measure it. The reason they need this information is that the K-181 block is the same as the K-161 which has a 1/4" shorter stroke and the K-161 rod is 1/8" longer to compensate for the shorter stroke. As you have already figured out, we are very concerned with shorter strokes and longer Rods! Thanks for giving us an enticing title to comment on!