Probably should have passed this one up.

[HankB 16]

We looked at an "old but valuable" tractor that had gone from $200 to $60 asking price on Craigslist in two days. Described as "The tractor has been sitting for the last 6 years. so the carb will need to be cleaned." My son and I looked it over and decided it was not worth negotiating for. The seller also offered a Stihl 260 chain saw (not quite so rough as the Wheel Horse) and I did buy that for $35. Before we pulled away, the seller offered it for free. We thought about it a moment and went for that deal.

Got it home and this is what we found:

So, an A-80 E. I searched this site for it and found only one thread that dealt with it. I'm guessing this is not one of the highly valued old tractors. Made for one year, there are probably not many around so at least it is rare.

We pulled the deck and messed around with it a bit and this is what we found.

• [*:2gyjt2p0]The deck rusted through in places and we can see where mounting tabs and such have already been welded back on before.[*:2gyjt2p0]Bearings and spindles on the deck feel OK.[*:2gyjt2p0]If the interlocks are satisfied, the engine will crank, sort of. I'll have to give it a go with the battery borrowed from my 314-H[*:2gyjt2p0]The right pedal - brake? - is broken off.[*:2gyjt2p0]The key for my 314 fits this. [*:2gyjt2p0]Tires are pretty sad looking.[*:2gyjt2p0]Transmission input shaft can be turned by holding one wheel and turning the other in all 4 gears (3 forward and one reverse.)

So here's my strategy for dealing with this. First I try to get the engine running. If it doesn't have compression or otherwise is no good, the tractor will be salvaged for parts if any have value.

Once running, I will evaluate the transmission. If that works well, we proceed with locating a better mower deck and tires and battery.

I know this isn't going to be a good general purpose GT. I suspect it falls into the category of "use it for mowing but don't bother with attachments." That's how we plan to use it if we can get it running (and there is any hope of finding a mower deck.) In any case, I'm happy with my 314-H and my son has a Cub Cadet CUT. We don't need something that can handle attachments but a durable riding mower would be useful

Comments on our strategy are most welcome.

-hank

[TJ 184]

The verticle drives aren't usually a cherished item. If you can get her going for not to dear a price, it should make a good lawn mower for you.

Tom

[rickv1957 74]

sounds like the price was right!,Rick

[HankB 16]

sounds like the price was right!,Rick

Might be.

I put a compression gauge on it this morning and got 60 psi. I squirted some ATF in the cylinder (because that's what I had in my oil can) and got no change. So... Most likely a burnt valve, right?

Any reason not to pull the head? Can these be replaced w/out resurfacing the seat? I suppose that depends on what the seat looks like.

I didn't hear anything that would indicate the rest of the engine is not sound. Is the bottom of these usually pretty solid?

Or is it time to start parting it out?

thanks,

hank

Edit... When I went to put the plug back in, I found that there remained practically nothing of the spark plug threads. That could have affected the compression reading. It looks like the threads on the comp tester have less reach than what's on the plug. So it's off to see how much a thread insert will cost.

Then I need to pull the head to do that, I suppose.

[whfan74 2,071]

I agree.......it was definitely worth the price and if it can make others live well then so be it. It could end up being a good tractor for kids or grandkids to drive around without breaking the piggy bank. I am sure you could find many good uses for it even if it is just to pull a wagon.

You have saved another! :notworthy:

[HorseFixer 2,013]

Free is always good! Rims are worth that! :notworthy:

[sawhorse 0]

The frame on your tractor is probably the same as on the 1973 a-100 I once

owned. This is a good frame to use as a base for a tractor - better than the

stamped "washtub" frame design that appeared on some of the wheel horses

built in the 1980's. I have seen sleeve hitches on e-bay made to fit this frame.

The mower decks on these units were a pain to remove and attach.

[Don1977 605]

I don't know for sure but it looks like a standard size hood and dash, steering and front axle assembly. May be a lot of parts that would fit another Wheel Horse. I am sure there are some on the board that would know. You could make another Johnny Cash Tractor with enough parts. I would take one if it was free.

[Ken B 3,189]

I might be looking for something like this tractor very soon too make a racer out of, just for old times sake. Roughly 30 yrs. ago when I started tinkerin with tractors me and a buddy would make some pulley changes to these type tractors and raise hell all over the neighborhood. (with a string rigged to the govenor of course) If I only had a GPS back then. I just so happen too have a brand new Briggs 10 horsie still in the box......

[bitten 134]

Hank

Free is good and the satisfaction of bringing on back from near death is great.

Good Luck,

P.J.

[jpmcleod 4]

I get more satisfaction by rebuilding one that looks like yours than one in much better shape. I would take my time and rebuild it and one day stand back and be proud that you saved another tractor. I would tkae it off your hands in a heartbeat. I just finished a 321-8 that was questionable but after spending a lot of time and very little money, it looks brand new. Thats the satisfaction of knowing you can do it. I have rebuilt 7 tractors of various brands and each time I learn and get better at it. I say give it a go and make it live agin.

[HankB 16]

Hi folks,

Thanks for the replies and the support. I just pulled the head and added a scored cylinder to the stripped spark plug hole. That was pretty discouraging so checking back and reading your replies was just the lift I needed.

Yes, resurrecting this one would be quite an accomplishment. I might be looking for a used engine cheap in the Chicago area. I wonder how close it has to be to what came out. Tecumseh seems to have a pretty specific part number for it but I suspect things like the block, head and other core parts are the same. I'm guessing that there might be different carb attachments and such for different versions.

thanks,

hank

[HankB 16]

Success is sweet, even if only a little success. I put a spark plug insert in it - went with a Perma-plug because it was the cheapest. It uses an insert threaded on the inside and outside which is swaged into the hole, so hopefully it will remain tight. While doing that, I found a scored cylinder.

I started the engine using some starting fluid and when it popped and ran a couple seconds on that, I put some gas in the tank and was actually able to get it running, though poorly on gasoline. I did have a go at moving it and actually moved back a couple feet before stalling the engine.

My next task is to go through the carb to see if I can get it running half way decently. I want to see if I can evaluate the transaxle. If that looks good, I may start looking for a used engine or parts donor and proceed with a restoration.

thanks,

hank