Leaderboard

Per request...

I had this in my garage prior to building the barn. It has since been removed to get momma's car in the garage...

To answer your original question...I use SeaFoam and 87 octane gas...I think it has 10% ethanol. I swear by SeaFoam...that stuff is great on a pizza. I use it in the gas I keep for the horses...I will put a can in the tank of my truck or the wife's car if I think it is not running quite right. Wife's car is a 2002...my truck is a 2014. I have not just torn apart an engine to see what it looks like...the 1st one broke the paddle on the end of the piston rod...the 2nd one was just smoking a lot when I bought it (knowing that I was going to get into that one). I think that the SeaFoam does what it says it will do. It takes care of moisture in the gas, it is a stabilizer, and it is a cleaner in carbs (in the horses) and in the jets of automatic injection (in my vehicles). I have had 2 year old gas that still smells like gas and starts right up. Is this stuff eating away at my piston?? I really do not know. I do know that I have not drained out any bad gas in 10 years. The Chicago area does not have any gas without ethanol in it for a 100 mile radius. Ramble, ramble, ramble...sorry Paul...one of those days. Bottom line...I do not think you had anything metallic in there causing those marks.

It's the one thing God gave me that can't be taken away. There is always something or someone to laugh at, especially these days!

Definitely have to watch this. Richard, when you build the rotisserie, keep in mind the air brake slack adjuster assy for the rotation mechanism. Works great. You can overhaul a transmission on it or bolt the back end of a frame to it and spin it where you want it and it wont move on you. Kinda has it's own brake lock.

Ive always liked the louvered heat shields that the 520s and other models had. Stainless or black. My 3-12 didn't come with one so I've been looking for one. Found this stainless 520 shield. I'm going to have to tack some studs with spacers on the nelson muffler but that's no problem. It's a little long, but once it's polished and centered I think it will look cool

A bike with a side car would be the bomb...

I have a small problem with my garage being a little too full of tractors every fall. This year my plan is to build a rack big enough to store 4 tractors on the floor with room for 4 more overhead. If anyone on Redsquare has anything like that already in service, pictures would be greatly appreciated.

This lift.

My choice too - non ethanol gas is not available in my area...seafoam keeps everything running fine...

If you got one of these you could deck it and put several garden tractors on it, raise it up and lower it as needed. http://www.backyardbuddy.com/

Paul, I'm looking at these pictures and 1 thing stands out. If you had something in the chamber making dents, you would have a mirror image of the dents in both the piston and the head. It is not there. The other thing that comes to mind (in my very limited experience tearing apart engines) is that most of any damage is toward the back of the engine chamber. Call it the air in the tires, if you put a level on the engine block it would be a little lower in the back. The question I would like to ask...how often do these horses get used??...how long do they set?? Is it possible that certain caustic acids in the gas...sitting in the cylinder for a period of time...soften the metal, and then when you use them the heat from running the engine actually aids in the caustic process?? The valve tops look great...nothing was bouncing around in there...I think you are looking at erosion...then heat...then erosion...then heat. No way anything in the chamber can go anywhere...except under a valve and it would be in that chamber. Just thinking and trying to interpret the pictures. Remember...the piston is probably some aluminum alloy...the rest is cast iron....you knew that. There is some exhaust leakage in the 3rd picture...you also knew that.

Enjoy those times with the kids they grow up very fast. Mine are 38 and 32 but I still have memories of those precious times.

I know. When I picked this up there was a stack of manuals I got also and found the original brochure and parts manual. It is a 401. So yesterday I noticed the head gasket was blown, so I planed the head, new gasket, re torqued after a few heat to cold cycles and now the engine runs a lot better, the governor issue went away. Pics cause it did happen.

I have four tractors with the Eaton 1100s. Two operate immediately and two require a 5 minute warm up in cold weather. Although I could not find it, there is a TORO bulletin that states to prevent damage, all 1100 must be warmed up for 5-10 minutes before use.

Maybe convert a wheel horse dump cart for a side car? And do some fab work on the top.

The only things in life people regret are the things they didn't do. You should've went for the ride! The bike will need some upgraded bearings for the steering which should be done. AND, parts are being gathered for a second build but getting the time to build it could be a problem.

I'm looking to see what's available for a 1054 and learn about the machine. This is my very first Wheel Horse.

I think I hear Ed singing: O the ankle bones connected to the leg bone. The leg bones connected to the hip bone......Them round hood bones gona rise again snd he ca name the tractor "Bones"

I will clean the techy head and get better focused pic tomorrow.. Appreciate it. I agree eventually if there was something hard i there it would have to get out past the valves and they are in good shape in both engines...

OK, here it is, all pressure washed. Now I need some help, Is this for a tiller? Does the 753 belt guard go with the fenders? I know the red engine tin is for a 10HP Tecumseh, could the green one go with this engine? Would the hood stand and the axle go with the fenders? Sorry bout that pic quality....Big Red Fred must have taken this one. Here are some of the decks that may show up in the classified section.

Thank you guys for the well wishes. At this point in life we do not get as excited about birthdays as we have in the past and am sure some of you know what I am talking about. Just thankfull for the smaller things in life, my health my family, my faith in Jesus and for good friends. Thanks again Bob

mine gets fed 95/98 octane, depents on what i feel like. cant go lower than 95 here tho

There is a drawback about model specific clubs, and that is posting about issues which are not unique to the model (which just about any is). The 520 is a test to see how this goes, but what may make more sense is a Mid-Western Club, New England Club, or even by state where location specific items can be discussed (weather, snow, shows etc) instead of model specific items.

Looking forward to watching this resto!

Check the engine oil - see if smells like fuel ... Sarge

It's likely that a new seal that leaks was caused by something a bit off with the installation. Possibly a burr damaged it or it wasn't seated properly. I use a appropriately sized fender washer over the shaft and then a length of pipe to tap it in. You'll feel when the washer meets the case and the seal will be perfectly flush.

NICE.......I've paid a lot more for a lot worse.Pics depict it to be in great shape.Even has shiny paint.I have a 314-8 that I occasionally mow with.Great tractor.Have fun with your new toy.Be forwarned.......this is the beginning of an addiction.

Your C-195 has the engine crank shaft running across the frame, on a "D" the crank shaft is in line with the frame. Nothing is impossible, but that would require a LOT of fabrication.

I saw it, it ran great, and the guy gave me a couple beers while we were going over it. Sold! I'll be picking it up this Sunday! Thanks again everyone. I'm sure I'll have more questions once I am in possession. The owner actually printed out the owners manual and any other documents he found online and had a nice binder to go with it. Here's the ad: https://baltimore.craigslist.org/grd/d/toro-wheelhorsedeck-garden/6254678018.html

No. I ran them for like 10 min. without the engine running. No heat at all. Engine running hood gets hot from the exhaust so it was hard to tell.

Found it https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHLS6227 http://www.autozone.com/electrical-and-lighting/back-up-light-mini-bulb/zevo-led-back-up-light-mini-bulb/770356_0_1556?fromString=&make=&model=&year= I found it https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/tail-brake-turn/filter/Base_Type,1156,1,40:

Don't sweat the link thing......but if it happens again we come git your tractors!

You're gonna have to swap out that hat Lane.

Glad to report my Sister in Law in Tampa was also one of the lucky ones. After spending two nights in a shelter, she has returned to here home to find very minimal damage and her power was restored yesterday. Have yet to hear from a Cousin in Jacksonville.

I noticed seeing badges in members signature saying "520 Club Member" I thought that I would introduce a more formal 520 club to see how it goes. You are free to join and participate in the 520 Club banter, and remember discussion outside of 520's is discouraged!

After numerous delays I am beginning the restoration of the early production 953 I purchased from @Ed Kennell nearl two and a half years ago. We don't know a lot about it's early history but I will let Ed tell you how he came by it in his own words. I saw the 953 on a Maryland CL ad in Dec. 2014. The location was farther than I would travel for a non runner...about a five hour round trip. But, I was going to Charlestown W Va. on Jan 3, 2015 for our annual family Christmas party. The 953 was within 50 mile of my route, so I made arrangements to pick up the tractor on my way to the party Saturday morning. About two hours into the trip, I got a call that the party was cancelled due to heavy sleet in the mountains in western Pa. where most of my family lives. It was raining where I was but the temp was 33F, so we decided to continue on to pick up the tractor. When we got there, I saw the 953 sitting in an overgrown ditch and by now the rain was turning to sleet. I was really concerned how I would get it to my trailer. Turns out the owner was a contractor and had an excavator. If I did the rigging, he agreed to pick it out of the ditch and put it on the trailer. No problem... it was on the trailer in a few minutes and we were on our way East trying to stay ahead of the cold and freezing ice approaching from the West. I really regret not having pictures of it being plucked out of that ditch and dangling from the excavator over my trailer. I think I posted a pic on Red Square and that's where you and I crossed paths. You probably have more details of the delivery involving Van and Jay than I have. So, Now you know the rest of the story. Best Regards, Ed Here is Ed's "Whats in your Mirror" post from the day the pulled it out of the gully. Nuther one jumped on the trailer this morning. Any guesses? Man, that's not much of a clue. Maybe this'll help. Edited January 3, 2015 by ekennell A couple of months later Ed and I struck a deal on the 953 and I was to pick it up at the 2015 "Big Show". Well, the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry and this was a case in point! I severely injured my back and at the time of the show I was on the operating table having spinal fusion surgery. I put out a request for "Hauling Help" on RedSquare and Van @Wheel-N-It responded saying he would get it back to North Carolina and store it till I was able to come get it. James @Jrblanke loaded it in his truck and took it to Van's from the show. A few months went by and I was finally able to retrieve it from Van. Many thanks to James and Van for going out of their way to help a fellow Wheel Horse fanatic. Once it was home I cleaned up the carburetor and replaced the ignition coil and the old horse ran, no smoke, no knocks! Just for grins I turned on the lights and both head lights and the tail light worked. Over the past couple of years life has gotten in the way of making any further progress. Now I have cleared the decks and will begin the restoration. This will be a total restoration including the engine and transaxle being rebuilt.

That one little part will destroy a good engine if it fails. Replace it or you might say to yourself some day I wish I would have replaced that little plastic govenor.

My wife "politely" informed me that she smelt gas in the garage today. I looked around the tractor, no visible leaks. But there was a whiff of fuel. I picked up my new clutch spring at the dealer today. While I was looking around here I noticed some moisture around the fasco fuel pump. Slight leak there, so I took the fender off and tightened it up, found the whole pump was loose as well. I left the fender off and put a rag under the filter side to see if it weeps. Weird tho since the tractor has been in there for 4 months and never smelt a thing. i replaced the clutch spring next. The PO had used a much smaller gauge and longer spring with bungee cord! In the winter sometimes I'd have to pull the pedal with my toe to get it to grab. No more. That new spring feels great. I bought a spring removal tool years ago and it is the best tool for the job. I even made 2 bigger ones at work. Safer than pliers. Of course my "helper" fixing the engine. Included is a pic of the old light duty spring. I should have fixed it 2 years ago Old spring Spring remover

Always looking for good used tools. Found this set on cl a month ago. Was the guys grandfathers. Tools look new lightly if ever used. 1/2" drive sockets sae with ratchet set of comb wrenches proto 1/4" shallow and deep sockets 4 Pratt reed screw drivers kromedge dovetail saw And some other good stuff. All USA made

John: you let me know what parts you are looking for and I will find them!

Frame is a little shorter than the GT-14, but the front end is all identical.

The only thing on the rotisserie will be the frame, dash tower and rear sheet metal, not enough weight to worry about.

That looks like a super deal. A cast Iron Kohler and an eight speed manual transmission will take on anything you can throw at it. I love the idea the you will have your daughters involved in the project. The price is right and you better grab it before someone beats you to it. 1977 Wheel Horse C-160, 8-speed, 16 hp Kohler that runs strong, no-smoke...new battery, tie rod, blades. $500 Cash Only. Like Craig said, posting the link is a no-no, but you can copy text and photos which I just did for you.

We need a fleet of them! Get busy John!

The little tach and hour meter at Northern tool and many places are good but do many do not have a replaceable battery. So after 2 to 3 years they die and you loose your hours

I got a cheapie HF scaler. It works so well I bought a box of extra needles the last time I was there getting my free comedy show at the check out line!