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Well I've never seen it quite this bad before! Kohler M18QS on '87 418-8. But the new stator looks sweet! Found a good used flywheel on eBay, but forgot to take a pic before installation. At least the electric lift works! IMG_2349.mp4

yup - excellent idea - - i did add a flap - - helps significantly -- i used the vinyl stips that go on base of walls, or base of kitchen cabinets -- has a natural curved lip

Meant to start a resto-thread a little sooner, but here we are. I periodically peruse the classifieds looking for something both nearby and economically priced, in December I hit on a classified ad that peaked my interest. Only half an hour away and looked to be well maintained. The seller and I agreed on a price and we pushed it up on my trailer. His dad had bought it new in Ohio way back in 1972 and had put it to work on lawn and snow duty. The tractor was maintained in running shape but will receive a thorough reconditioning before being pressed back into service. One of the coolest bits that came with it was a bit of provenance, some type written correspondence from the late 1980's between the previous owner and Wheel Horse corporate inquiring about a failed ignition system. Additionally, the it came with a complete set of manuals and some really nice hand-drawn notes that outline belt placement and part numbers. I think the personal documentation is perhaps my favorite part of this find.

Many of you old timers here remember Charlie @clintonnut and the amazing stuff this kid was doing. Well in case you’ve lost track, this is his latest work. Man I wish I had 1/16 his talent

Today though was front wheel day. I dislike dismounting and mounting tires (old rubber and lots of force makes me nervous). Fortunately my local farm and fleet will dismount for free and then charges only 12$ when I come back to have the tires remounted. Picked up the paint and some wire wheels after they dismounted the tires.

Worked on the engine a couple weeks ago, lots of carbon build up. Have a gasket on order from isavetractors and I’ll replace the head bolts with new grade 8 when I reattach.

When I went to look at it the owner and I spent a good hour just trying to get it started to no avail. I was hooked by this point though so we agreed to a discounted price and pushed it up on my trailer. Got it home and ordered a carb kit and a spark plug, that did the trick and I was able to take a short jog around the block. Condition Notes: Front tires were consistently loosing air but the rubber appeared solid. Engine made some funny popping surges and I could see exhaust back through the carb. The head had blown out the plug at some point and had an insert with smaller plug. PO had converted the ignition to points and breaker. The tins had been repainted at some point and the decals were scrapped off. The seat was a replacement and was in pretty bad shape. Needed a new battery Electric PTO is disconnected. Drive belt is worn and cracked and a bit jumpy Headlight wiring melted on muffler The Plan: Since it was well maintained as a worker I'm planning to honor the effort that the PO put in. new plug and carb rebuild (done) strip all the tins off and pressure wash, buff the paint cleanout combustion chamber, gasket, new head bolts, engine tune-up (done) new decals repaint the hubs (front done) new seat (done) rewire headlights and tail light evaluate electric PTO, have a mechanical PTO that I might swap in add a mowing deck New belt

This morning I used a 90⁰ steel pick to scrape the paint out of the area around the threads of the relief valve. Dripped a little Liquid Wrench Penetrating oil in there and walked away. Checked on it and sprayed it again 4 or 5 more times throughout the day. I was happy to see every time that there was less oil than I'd left. This evening I had Trina hold the pump assembly so I could work the valve back n forth... and eventually out. I got it cleaned up and tried this 7/16 nut on it. Might JB Weld that on there. In other news... The transmission is now bolted to the frame.

Trina's been working from home 2 to 4 days a week and that's become a permanent thing. She got herself a more "work-friendly" laptop that's been VERY nice because she can be anywhere in the house building upstairs or down and even outside to an extent. She needed a better holding platform for it... Now, if you're a Trina, it can't just be any old flat place. Likely you'd want to make something out of "reclaimed/ future projects" type scrap pile wood ... And ..... It has to be well... Different. Like her. 😜 So ya do the usual poking around the web and see what's out there. She found this: VERY cool.... Here's her interpretation: 1. Diagonal lines. 2. Boxes in the corners, Line down one half. That gives you 14 sections. This amount can be variable. 3. See below. In each section, start in one corner. Draw a line slightly angled to any edge, as seen in the above pic. Top left. Then from that stopping point draw a line slightly angled to the next edge. Repeat.Repeat.Repeat.Repeat.Repeat..... Until you have no more space on that section. Depending what corner your start in determines the pattern you end up with. Shade in and round off corners that look like they go together. The above drawing is on standard 8-½ x 11 paper. It took her about 20 minutes. Voila !! The piece is a 19" ish square cabinet door that some of you may remember she got in a pile of neat little partially cut stuff from the neighbor who had unfortunately lost her husband and we helped out by cleaning up her yard. Use what ya have !! It'll get legs of some sort soon....... To be continued.....

Your ignition points set your ignition timing. Check to be sure your ignition points are set at 0.020". @prondzy did a great tutorial on engine rebuilds, check it out and be sure you followed the steps presented in the thread.

Look deep into the center. Deeeep, deeper ,deeeeper. You are feeling very sleepy. BUY MORE TRACTORS!!! Seriously though. Very nice piece of art. I agree with others it should be hung on the wall.

Your missing the roll pin that goes into that hole in the stirrup bar and the return spring.

Wow thanks to all for all the good info I read all the feed back. Good to find a used good wheel horse for cheaper. I found a guy using a wheel horse 520 on my way home this morning cutting leafs up in his yard. Nice guy to. He really likes his tractor of over is old john deere 320 he had. He let me take it around the yard. A big tractor. Is there parts still being for them. I have just over 2 acres and other property with with 8. The guy selling the new used wheel horse model 315-8 is on face book out of Wellsville, PA. I have the money for the other 315-8 but I would have to put this on hold this truck I'm working on for about 2 months. Under $2500 would nut hurt me much. My wifie is on me about this hot rod stuff. I will keep you guy's posted thanks so much to all.

I have three of them laying on my table. Son is in the garage door business so when he swaps out a opener, I have him save them for me.

Put a rubber flap on the RD. I did this and my C-160 hydro stays clean.

Sparky - - the 314 h models are terrific WH machines -- and the one posted for sale is very nice --- I love cut of the R.D. mower decks, but as a personal preference i don't like the RD mowers on a hydro since the discharge grass clippings and leaves comes right into the rear hydro and its fins - making for more a of a challenge keeping fins clean and cooling the hydro - thus, requiring more maintenance when using tractor ------------ i prefer a side discharge for hydro's, but happy to use a r.d on manual gear shift model - its all a matter of preference and attention to keeping mower and tractor clean after each use.

There’s a nice looking 314 in our classifieds for $4000 less that that 315 you are considering. You’re probably 4-5 hours away but even if you dropped a couple hundred dollars on fuel you would still be way ahead.

Yup. I've had and still have a couple of those. Repurposed several. I never get rid of them.

here are updated photos of the C175 Blackhood we did some rehab on - including new decal - We did black footrests, and the Engine tin, plus the rims just as some added black to compliment the blackhood design

all excellent points made in the thread -- but to me the key question is "what do you plan to do with it"? That's not something i see you state clearly in your post thus for people to answer your inquiry, we are missing the most important info and responders have to speculate??????????? You state you are in need of "another garden tractor" - thus, if it's your plan to use it as a worker piece of equipment, mow, plow, till, haul etc are you going to put 25 hrs a yr on it or 100-200 hours?..... then apply the relevant comments made here by folks with lots of experience - if you plan to keep it, use it 20 years its different than using it a few yrs then selling - or if you plan to put it in the living room and admire it as a 3 hr tractor? Old saying, "worth is in the eye of the beholder -- or said another way -- in your wallet?

Anybody have tractors stored in buildings/ sheds without electricity needing to trickle charge batteries? I do.... Been messing around with some solar panels and looking for a way to charge batteries without running long drop cords. Here is what I found to be a great option. https://www.harborfreight.com/100-watt-amorphous-solar-panel-kit-63585.html?_br_psugg_q=solar+panel Not the cheapest option (got mine on sale) but I like the kit because it comes with panels, controller (needed to keep batteries from draining at night) and long attachment wires. Also, these amorphous panels will put out a charge in almost any kind of light. Kit also comes with 2 -12 volt lights so as long as controller is hooked to a battery you have light in that remote shed / barn. Panels are easy to move around so I just rotate the set up between 2 different sheds keeping 5 tractors and 1 dirt bike topped up.

When you said Horn, considering the intended usage of your horse, I expected:

You mentioned new piston and rings was the cylinder re bored as well??? Also did you check the valve gap

Ok, so single stage snowblower on front, flag in the 3rd hole. I have a 1/4” of play down at the bottom of the lift lever, (see the picture). I’m thinking maybe a bushing? The snowblower stays lifted up for about 45 seconds and drops, without me even touching it! I have lubed up the release lever. Any possible suggestions? I know its kinda hard to explain!

Very cool story with this machine! isavetractors had a good tutorial on testing the trigger modules, as well as converting to battery ignition here: I have a 1971 Bronco 14 with the same ignition system. Luckily it still works. I'll definitely make this conversion if it ever acts up.

And beveled 😉

The BBT spent the afternoon getting the leg mounts worked out in her head. There are 2 support rails under the table. She drilled 3 holes in each rail the size of a scrap flag pole which she's using as a dowel. Then she held the rails in place to drill the holes just less than ⅜ into the top which is .68 thick. I helped her hold the top while I showed her how to use an end mill bit to get a flat bottomed hole. Trina did the other 5 on her own. Glued. Clamped. Waiting.

Thanks! I have the return spring and roll pins. Appreciate the assistance and picture! Should be good now. Dennis

Try the 2nd (middle) hole. I think something may be interfering with the lock pin fully engaging into the slot. If you need to lift the blower higher, put washers in the flag rod where it goes into the lift tube.

I own a 315-8 from new . It's a good machine but I had to make a few adjustments - leaked oil after a couple few years from the overhead valve cover - thinking this was an easy fix went to the parts list - long story short there isn't gasket - Kohler did what we use to do years ago for a short term fix - called them smear gaskets - run a bead of form a gasket on the cover channel re-install . I ordered gasket material cut my own installed a real gasket - 10-12 years later still dry . Next , the engine has an air induction tube from the blower housing to the air cleaner - mow the grass ( my acre ) 3 times the air cleaner was packed full of dirt and grass - to me this was designed to self destruct so the tube was eliminated , closed off the opening on the housing and air cleaner with sealant and sheet metal . Unlike my Kohler K's these aluminum jugs accumulate a lot more grass under the tins around the jug and fins - regular trips to the air compressor to blow out debris is highly recommended . Exhaust - Kohler is proud of that muffler - 1 month off warranty cracked off the flange- repeated trips to get it welded - kept cracking behind each repair bead - 3-$400 for a new one - fast forward to last year #2 muffler had a crack at the flange -long story short I put the problem on anther forum- found a tig welder who said these needed a delicate touch you can't overheat the metal - his number is now stored in my phone - talk about a pro bead - this guy knows his weld/metals - I don't mow much at all with the 315 anymore it's a dedicated blade tractor for snow -mulch -ground etc etc , I'm hooked on the 416-8 with a 4ft deck for mowing and blowing duties . Would I go 5300 on it - probably not - new or not these tractors have a very limited audience - sitting all these time without oil moving around coating the gears and seals would be a major concern - something tells me oil leaks right out of the gate with dry cracked seals - these cast iron cases like moister half the gears are above the oil - I once rebuilt a Troy built horse that sat for years - the main drive shaft that sat out of the oil from non use was .......toast ....just my 2 cents

Very creative stuff in that video! Nice work @clintonnut!

Very talented young man there. He does build some nice stuff.

I remember Charlie when he was a little kid driving a tractor around the Show grounds. He has built all the Clinton engines I have. Not only talented but a great guy . Good to see someone of that age with that kind of talent, a great head on his shoulders , and a great personality to cap it off. I am privileged and honored to know him.

You said you need another "garden tractor" then you said "just to cut grass with mainly". How much grass are you cutting, $5300 for something that you are going to "mainly" use to cut grass with is a bit overboard even if it only has 3hr and looks great. In your area you can find nice WH's that will cut grass and do what your JD 216 did for way under $1500, and even if it only last you as long as the JD would of you are still $3800 a head.

Some folks pretty much want a "new" machine. A friend retired his White lawn tractor and asked me what to buy. I told him Wheel Horse and I would help him find one. He said he wanted something new. I couldn't talk him out of it. He ended up buying a new Cub Cadet for a couple grand. Thing is junk. Been back to the dealer multiple times.. Wheel horses last a long time. But an late 70's early 80's worker has already worked close to 3/4 of it's practical life. A stored 3 hour machine yes would be a shame to scratch and dent up but it would last today's buyer a lifetime.

In my mind, this is a very important thing to consider. The 315 in the original post is definitely as nice as you will find. That being said, these machines last 30-50 years with maintenance. Some have faded paint, but they still perform the tasks needed. That was how they were built. So $5300 is high, but maybe not IF your intention is collecting. Maybe (BIG MAYBE) you can recoup that later if you keep the machine indoors and never use it. If you want a worker- save yourself $4K and buy one with a scratch or two. It'll run for decades, and your first scratch won't cost you a couple grand. Just my opinion. And I love shiny tractors, but all of mine work to earn thier keep!

the 520h with onan engines are beasts -- but unless you have a few acres and you're looking to just have a long term reliable "mower" then an option is nice maintained 80s 90s WH in the 300 - 400 Series with Kohler engine --- value cost $800 - 1500

john -- heres my grandson's C165 Blackhood he and I rescued last year from someone's backyard weeds area that had been sitting many yrs............. we have only really done some modest mechanical work on it but runs fine now - plus a few cosmetics since this photo - we also have two C175 blackhoods

I'm assuming for that price it has never been mowed with, 3 hours is CLOSE to NOS. A collector item for sure... If you actually bought it & mowed your lawn with it, to me, it would lose AT LEAST half it's value. Even if I had money to burn I don't think I'd blow $2500.00 to mow my lawn once... Just my .

How were the 3 hours put on it? 5-10 minutes once every year is not good. The grease in all the sealed bearings may be dry and hard. For a show tractor or IRA investment maybe $5K. But for a worker, Many well maintained tractors are out there for 1/3rd that price. to the

Last side panel cut to fit. Need to shorten the trans dipstick and figure out this 3 point. I have some 3”x 5” angle I think I’m going to use to build new uprights. I have a plan……..

My thinking that price is maybe what a collector might be a possible buyer for and use as a trailer queen, but... if youre gonna use it, then there are just toooo many other perfectly good tractors for considerably less money.

@ebinmaine, yup thats what I was thinking , could easily , make that into something , made to lift a garage door , so you know its solid and already hole drilled . regularly make things up from a what if idea , I won't tell anybody you might dare to create a fix , pete

Carlisle Tru-Powers are nice. They seem to be true to the size printed on the tire (nice to get what you paid for).

Carlisle 23x10.50- 12’s on my GT-1848, liking them a lot so far.

hey guys i have bought a set of ag tires a while back for my 416 they are max auto brand i went cheap but i’m wondering what brand you guys think is the best

Realizing $52 is too much for this bull gear I'll knock off $20.... Making it $32...SHIPPED flat rate USPS. If you or anyone else wants it, send Paypal money as "Family & Friends"... My Paypal account name is: daveoman@windstream.net

Picked this 417-A up 3 weeks ago in someone's barn, last time it ran or moved was unknown. When you put your mind to something its amazing what you can accomplish! Brought it home, power washed it, found the starter ears were broken off the block so I repaired them, Also #2 cylinder had bad head gasket, did a full tune up on the KT17 while I was there. Added an oil pressure gauge to help tell the life of the engine. cleaned the fuel tank and put all new lines with a rebuilt carb. The old kohler fired off within 3 cranks and is putting out about 60IBS of oil pressure. Re wired a lot of loose ends and splices that were cut in over the years. Brand new Carlise turf savers up front and True Powers in the rear. Stripped every piece down to bare metal and primed and painted all in 3 weeks! I absolutely love this stuff.

AWESOME!! The hoses can be bought from Surplus Center. When ya need pics to attach it I'll have my Photography Department get some of the loader that's on our Wally Digger machine.

Finished the cab today, I decided to go simple ( stock looking ) with the wiring instead of a control panel. LED's hooked up to factory light switch, ( brand new in the box harness was broken, returning them ). Put a cigarette lighter in the factory hole for the beacon & used the factory electric clutch hole for the chute control, nice & neat. Still have to put on the front wheel weights & chains & wait for the snow, hopefully it will be a while...