My first Wheel Horse

[Eric W in AR 10]

I'm a tractor guy, and I am always open to new brands.  I currently have a Cub Cadet 129, 1250, 1650 as well as a John Deere 212. I also have 4 Massey Ferguson tractors( 50, 130, GC2300, 1825E), a JI Case SC, a 1946 JD Model A, Farmall Cub, International 184. I was given a C-161 with the 8 speed Hi/Low transmission that was / is quite the basket case.  When I picked up the tractor it had 4 flat tires, missing headlights, the hood was disconnected, gas smelled like varnish, clutch pedal stuck, steering mostly stuck, it looked like it sat outside for years, full of leaves, and moss of some kind growing in the cracks of the seat.  This one is going to be fun.

 

After digging into it, I found the coil was cracked, ammeter toast, battery toast, wiring was in shambles, mower deck is frozen, the hood was damaged and someone did a real rookie welding job on it :).  But, the engine is not stuck!!!!

 

I rewired the tractor, replaced the coil with one off one of my Cubs, cleaned and adjusted the points, changed the fuel filter, cleaned and gapped the spark plug, adjusted the governor and throttle cable, Grabbed an air filter and cover from a Cub cadet, swapped the battery.  Now the old girl is running.  I need to clean the carb, it's a little rough on the top end.  I greased up the steering and it's a lot better, lubed up the clutch pedal and it's now working great.  The brakes work as well as all 8 gears and the clutch seems good.  Then I removed the mower deck so I can take a look at it and find out what is the cause of it not wanting to spin the blades.  I have to admit, the Wheel Horse quick connect for the deck is pretty slick.  

 

What I need...

Headlight assembly, points cover, air filter (this one is twice the size of my other Kohler filters), air filter cover (the big one), If anyone has any good tips on a good source or 2 for some of these parts that would be great.

 

I wish I would have taken more pictures when I picked it up and to document the progress.  I think I might try to make this tractor pretty again.  Wish me luck.

 

Eric W in NW Arkansas

 

 

[ebinmaine 78,952]

 from another Eric.  

 

 

You've managed to trip over one of the most desirable and best worker models Wheelhorse made. 

 

 

6 hours ago, Eric W in AR said:

clean the carb

 

Best idea here is to clean the WHOLE fuel system. 

Remove, clean, and replace the tank, ALL rubber fuel line, filter, pump, and of course carburetor. 

Check the carb top shaft for excessive wear.  

 

 

For parts:

1. Place an ad in our classifieds. 

2. PM @76c12091520h Brian. 

3. CALL Lincoln at A to Z Tractor in PA. 

 

There are several other places to get general maintenance items.  

 

6 hours ago, Eric W in AR said:

Wish me luck.

 

Luck!

 

[SylvanLakeWH 31,447]

[rjg854 13,061]

  2    The C-161 is a great machine, and that 16 hp is a beast.  Enjoy your time bringing up to snuff, it will be well worth it.  A wet sanding and a coat of Flood finish should be all it needs if you like a patina finish.  It's only original once.  

[pfrederi 20,591]

Welcome...sounds like you have a lot of projects.  The Wheel Horse will serve you well

[oliver2-44 11,494]

Looks like a fairly straight tractor.

Thanks for sharing it some love..

With it having set outside, these transmission get water in them from a rotten/missing shifter boot.

The transmission has a hump in the middle of the bottom, so when you drain & flush it raise the front end up as high as you safely can t get it to drain completely.

Any 80/90 gear lube is good, I use the Walmart variety. 

 

I have a points cover. and I'll check for an air cleaner cover, but I suspect I only have small ones. 

Edited yesterday at 03:56 PM by oliver2-44

[Razorback 1,326]

Welcome!!! 

 

Little Flock!!!!! I'm in Bentonville (4 doors north of 8th & Tunbridge)....... we need to meet sometime.

[ineedanother 2,402]

1 hour ago, oliver2-44 said:

 

With it having set outside, these transmission get water in them from a rotten/missing shifter boot.

The transmission has a hump in the middle of the bottom, so when you drain & flush it raise the front end up as high as you safely can t get it to drain completely.

Any 80/90 gear lube is good, I use the Walmart variety. 

 

Nice find and a really good model to have around. This is probably the most common source for major damage to a manual transmission. Definitely take a look at this.

 

[953 nut 66,226]

Good introduction, sounds like you have a lot of good background you can share with us.                  

 

[kpinnc 18,292]

22 hours ago, Eric W in AR said:

I was given a C-161 with the 8 speed

 

Tractor looks like it spent a few summers here in NC!

 

You did well finding a 161. They are not very common. 

[Achto 31,841]

 

[Pullstart 69,986]

Welcome!  I saw a band one time named Little Flock… I wondered where that name came from 

[Eric W in AR 10]

19 hours ago, Razorback said:

Welcome!!! 

 

Little Flock!!!!! I'm in Bentonville (4 doors north of 8th & Tunbridge)....... we need to meet sometime.

Sounds good, we are less than 6 miles from each other.  Have you been out to the Tired Iron of the Ozarks club shows?  I'm a member of that club and we just had our spring show in April, our fall show is in September. You should bring your tractors out to show them off.  

[Eric W in AR 10]

20 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

Looks like a fairly straight tractor.

Thanks for sharing it some love..

With it having set outside, these transmission get water in them from a rotten/missing shifter boot.

The transmission has a hump in the middle of the bottom, so when you drain & flush it raise the front end up as high as you safely can t get it to drain completely.

Any 80/90 gear lube is good, I use the Walmart variety. 

 

I have a points cover. and I'll check for an air cleaner cover, but I suspect I only have small ones. 

That's great info.  I'll definitely get that changed soon.