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Here I go again. As the title says, this years project is a 401 Suburban. Will start off with some ground 0 pics. Next step that I was happy about was my Christmas Miracle. The steering wheel came off without special tools or much resistance. When I bought the tractor it had a Nova ignition module on it. Starting it was sometimes a challenge so I wanted to switch it back to points before disassembly. Happy to say that it starts much better on points than it did with the Nova module. With this accomplished it was time to move on to tear down. A couple of hours later & I had a pile of parts. I went through the transmission shortly after I bought the tractor because it had a 3rd gear issue, so that will not have to come apart again. The engine runs good with no smoke, so hopefully it will not need a rebuild. It does appear to be seeping oil from the head gasket, so I will pull the head to change the gasket. Will also inspect cylinder condition as long as it's open. Now for some P.O. surprises. Lets just say that some people should not be allowed to play with welders. First, when a lock collar cracks I guess one should grab the welder & tack it in place. Drag link issue?? Lets burn that in place too. I'm sure there will be a few more surprises. Feel free to come along for the show.

International Cello Day observances on December twenty nineth thrill music enthusiasts around the world! This special day commemorates the birth of Pablo Casals, a virtuoso whose skills reshaped cello music forever. Casals is famous for bringing the ‘Bach Cello Suites‘ into the spotlight. Once underrated pieces, they now enjoy profound reverence in classical music. Because of its unique sound, the cello holds a cherished spot in both orchestral and solo music settings, enchanting audiences with its deep, resonant tones and versatility across music genres, including classical, jazz, and even rock.

I got Bear 🐻 cowboy 🤠 coffee ☕️ and a snack.

It was repainted once or twice so it is fair game for a resto. I have a few other projects that I will be sure to share.

All: Having "moved" both spindle bores when I machined it for bushings, I realized I now needed slightly shorter length Tierods. I have used regular 1080 Cold Rolled material for another set, but the quality of the machined threads was lacking. This set I switched to 12L14 "leaded" hexstock - per the certificate it has .27% lead in the alloy. This allows easier machining with a superior finish. Cost is just a couple of bucks more than 1080. The threads shown are done with an adjustable thread cutting die - 3 passes needed to get the proper shaft to nut fit. Shown is the die from the final pass - the chips look like angel hair Also shown is the old trick of having a starting pilot diameter for the die - it is removed once the threading is done. The 12L14 material is safe to work with, but sanding, grinding and welding are NOT recommended...

8-speed will be the 1976/77. Larger axle. 1974 & 75 was the 4 speed with the 1" axle.

Good one Eric.

I created an Excel spreadsheet years ago with a tab for each vehicle and piece of lawn equipment. It has when purchased, cost, SN's etc. I have row for each service (even blade replacements with date, mileage or RTM, the service, cost and etc. I can tell you anything I've ever done to my 522xi all the way back to 1997 when she was new. When parts are replaced I record the part number for future reference.

Cold adult beverage and deep fried cheese curds ready...

Or drills, wire cutters, hammers, grinders, spray paint...

Dan, that is too nice to restore. With the exception of a few unauthorized welds it should take you a couple weeks for this one. What are your plans for the rest of the winter?

Terry - a little history on that unit. I received this from my sister and BIL back about 1982. It was his grandfather's, bought new and used to remove snow on the large driveway & walkways at the two 3 deckers he owned. My first modification - installing a steel backer and the two broom clips to hold a snow brush. The replacement skids now are thin pressed steel that are worn out after two seasons (yes, they are double sided and you can reverse them) so since there is enough height adjustment, I shape a strip of 1/4 x 1-1/4 Hot Rolled Steel to make a shoe & tack weld those on. The latest addition was to swap the still running but tired H60 with a nice freebie HH70 - huge difference! And I love having the plastic fuel tank as it will never rust. The original electric start H60 is now on my Troy Bilt chipper. Prior to acquiring my FIL's 702, this was the only gas-powered snow removal tool I had to clear my drive & walks for 10 years or so. About 2008 or so, I got another one - its all-original twin sister! It resides at my rental property. Remember that these were nicknamed the "Cat Killers" - NO safety features at all. You clutched it to switch speeds and to stop. Let the lever go and it takes off by itself if it is in any gear other than Neutral.!! Kind of like a 502!

Dedicated tractors solve the oil issue. Snow horses get 5w-30 Synthetic...depending on use may go a year or two..

The axle diameter will depend on the year. 76 & 77 will be 1.125" and the earlier years will be 1".

The bolt pattern is 5 x 4.5. Yes. You need a hub or something else?

Looks like leaking spool valve orings. @cleathas a nice write up with pictures that shows how to change them. It's possible to change them with the valve in the tractor. Clean everything well before you start. Use Viton orings only.

hard to tell what you are referencing since the photo is such a narrow close up? I am not sure if the C145 has master hydro valve same configuration as C175h -- but i had leaks from area of master valve inside hoodstand -- your photo looks like the hoses coming out side panel hole that has rubber gromet ???? In the case of my two C175s, i could not determine what was source of leak - the master valve unit, a hose fitting/connection, or a hose itself? Removing and reinstalling from the tractor the master valve unit was a nightmare - did not want to guess the source of the leak so did not want to do the job more than once .......so i removed the master valve unit - and replaced the internal O rings and also spent the $ for 4 new hoses. Both c175s now have no leaks. It might have been as much a future repair maintenance prevention as much as it was a leak repair -- but i now have no leaks - - and hopefully no future leaks. I believe you can generally locally source new fittings or entire new hose sets -- or order from online or some Red Sq vendors. good luck -- more photos will be helpful ?

I appreciate your input, I think that's the route I'm going to take. If it turns into an issue In the future I'll address it then. The more I thought about it the less crucial it seemed, ultimately it just holds a spring. Sometimes I overthink the simple things

Service manual help?

The old OE tierods do get used elsewhere. I find the severely pitted finish gives poor grip and concentricity in either a chuck or collet. I'd rather use new material.

Excellent work !! Have you ever considered turning down the stock tie rods in order to fit the thread on ends? I've had pretty good luck doing this.

You're allowed to post links for your own stuff.

I just sold my 70's vintage 32" Ariens blower that was on it's 3rd motor! Bought it used and ran it 30+ years. It was a beast!!

Liquid Summer Canned Head Gasket Remover Canned Rod Bender Cosby Sauce...because the engine goes

If I'm quiet for a few days, you all will know I've had the computer taken away from me! If I had to do it over again, I'd ate a couple spoons of the mache and claimed clabbered milk made this pudding bad.

I’m converting my 314-8 to electric

Very cool! Please post details. Motor, controller etc. And

I have a to do list for each tractor, a parts list for replaceable maintenance parts like spark plug, filters, air/oil/hydraulic etc…and sizes of belts, tires etc…since I’m one person with 3 working tractors it may be a while before I need to do maintenance. It’s all on the notes 📝 app on my phone. When I change a hydraulic filter. I write the date and engine hours on it. And….I document it in the What did you do to your Wheelhorse for the forum…..😄

Thought I would follow up on this. I guess I got lucky. I finally got to taking a look at the 520 and found the back cylinder plug wire corroded itself into the coil. It was green and nasty looking. I ordered a coil and a set of plug wires and what a difference. Started easier and even the surging was gone. I've been fixing transmissions for 40 years now and I guess I forgot the meaning of "preventive maintenance" She even got an oil change... Thanks all

Sounds like the ignition module or coil failing (possibly the 9 pin connector). If it doesn't do it again then you are good if it does then you will need to do more testing to see which failed. Intermittent problems are the hardest to figure out. A complete failure is easier to find.

Mods if I didn’t put this in the right section feel free to move it. Good afternoon everybody. 2 snowstorms ago I started to see a was small wet spot under my C-145 after plowing. Didn’t think much of it. Got through this past storm yesterday and came out this morning to a big wet spot and still leaking. The problem is underneath the valve body. It isn’t any of the hydraulic lines. But may be some of the fitting. I’ve done some research and they do have o-rings that seal them. I am thinking that may be the problem. Let me know what you guys think and how hard it is to replace those. Sorry for not the best picture I’ll try and get better ones tommorow. Thanks in advance!