Project: Bada** Puller!

[clintonnut 127]

Hi Everyone,

I got this 953 from Fireman at the Steam O Rama in October. The engine was seized, all of the tires were flat and it was terribly rusty.

I got the engine to turn and then it sat while I tried to decide what to do with it. The engine needed to be rebuilt and that was a set back. I added some GT-14 rims that were prevously on the 1054 and some new tubes and she was rolling again.

The plan:

Worked over 14hp kohler:

.030 piston

.030 rod

crank trigger ignition

k/n filter

HD valves and springs

18hp cam

5" drive pulley

Body:

Fiberglass grille shell

Steel tube front axle with 655 rims and spindles

Weight box where tank used to be

Fabricated fenders to replace rusted ones

26x12-12 rear ag tires

3-rib fronts

pulling hitch

engine moved back 8-10 inches

hand clutch

wheelie bars

backside idler for drive belt

4" drive pulley on tranny

Today I took the engine off, steering out, foot boards off, rock shaft out, etc

Before:

Here's the partially torn down tractor with the engine in it:

Engine out:

Enjoy!

Charlie

[VinsRJ 723]

Looks like a cool project Charlie...... No snow on the ground where you are?

[rickv1957 77]

Looks like a great start! Rick

[clintonnut 127]

There was snow.

There will be tomorrow!

Charlie

[clintonnut 127]

Today we made some more progress.

After cutting out some metal (you can't accuse me of Horse Slaughter because the frame was so rusted out in the first place) and going through 3 cutting wheels and some anger we gained this.

Before:

After:

Enjoy!!!

Charlie

[bitten 134]

I know when you are done it will look great.

[Rollerman 290]

Charlie will you be converting the trans to an 8 pinion?

Also whats the advantage of moveing the weight back & makeing the frontend lighter for a puller.

Just curious & looking forward to more pics of your buildup.

[clintonnut 127]

Hi,

If you don't know already, the 953 and 1054 have very heavy front ends. With a 45lb grille shell and a 120lb engine there is not much weight on the rear wheels. If you know anything about the Chrysler 1965 AF/X program, the goal was to get as much weight on the rear wheels as possible. The rear wheels were moved foward 8" and the fronts 10". It allows for better weight distribution. Also, a stock 953 has about 60-75% of the weight on the front tires. An AF/Xer has 48% on the front. This in both drag racing and pulling allows the rear tires to grip better and in drag racing allows you to get out of the hole easier.

Here is an example:

Stock/ .02% A990:

http://www.cars-on-line.com/slideshow34999...odge34999-1.jpg

Afx:

http://image.moparmusclemagazine.com/f/mis...-colonel-at.jpg

The result of moving weight to the rear:

http://gassermadness.com/handouts/****%20L...tana%201965.jpg

This tractor will be pretty light with the engine moved back and a fiberglass grille shell with a steel tube front axle. That takes about 65-70lbs off the front end.

I learned a lot about vintage racing from my dad who has a ton of vintage super stock mags, documentations and he has a 1965 Dodge Coronet that we are turning into a A990 race car.

Charlie

[Sarge 3,470]

Sounds like a plan, as long as you're not building a Fueled Altered....lol .

Still love watching films of those running - "mechanized bullfighting" at it's best.

My old man raced back in the day in the door slammers with his daily driver, put a lot of big names right back on the trailer on a regular basis, upset a lot of folks too.

Sarge

[rickv1957 77]

Charlie,looks like the makings of a good puller,Rick

[TT-(Moderator) 1,169]

I'm not sure I understand this build.

You don't have "rules" to follow where you'll be pulling?

What class is this being built for? :banghead:

[clintonnut 127]

TT,

It will be pulled in 8-1000 pound class.

No rules regarding engine placement. I pull for money!

[TT-(Moderator) 1,169]

So the only guidelines you have to follow is the gross weight?

You don't have stock, stock altered, modified classes? No tire size limits?

[Suburban 550 28]

Lookin' good, Charlie. Good to see your makin' something out of it instead of lettin' it rot away. Should make a great puller. :thumbs:

[clintonnut 127]

Terry,

The class I will be pulling in is Stock Mod. which is where I can use the big 26" rear tires and crank trigger ign. The 953 fits perfectly in that class especially with that huge area to put a weight box where the gas tank was.

Charlie

[TT-(Moderator) 1,169]

OK

Have fun. :thumbs:

[clintonnut 127]

Oh and by the way,

Rollerman, I have a 10-pinion that I'm putting in it. I know there are rumors about them breaking but I don't have a Harley engine in it either.

Charlie

[Indy w h 5]

How many horses ya got coming out of the 14 hp??

Do ya run alcohol?? Did ya ever find a belt guard for my 1054??

Looking good !!!

Indy

[clintonnut 127]

Today I tore down the engine. Everything was in pretty good shape. The crank doesn't need to be ground measured at 1.499! There weren't any broken parts and that makes me really happy. I am going to get the original cam modified by Vogel Manufacturing for $40! It will be pretty aggressive but will have a lift no higher than .325 those are the rules where I pull.

I will need a cast iron governor assembly though...

Charlie

[clintonnut 127]

Today we took off the rear fenders. It was 4 small welds. We made plans for a weight box which will be constructed soon.

The engine has been completly torn down an cleaned up. I found a steel govener gear in a parts engine which saves some $$$.

Enjoy!

Charlie

[Deere Hunter 54]

I have a 10-pinion that I'm putting in it. I know there are rumors about them breaking but I don't have a Harley engine in it either.

Charlie, I never had any luck with a 10 pinion rear in my stockers. Even with a 30 year old 12hp kohler, I shattered the 10 pinion. In fact broke it twice before I got wise and switched it to an 8 pinion. If your planning on running 26x12x12's with the 10 pinion, better put a zipper on the trans. :thumbs:

[Stress Test Pullin 0]

keep us updated, this is an interesting build

and will have to agree with Deere Hunter on this one, Chris Shirley and I both have had troubles with the 10 pinion...

now it i could just find another 8 for my next one...

[whfan74 2,073]

Great build up Charlie! Best thing is.........looks like you and dad are having some fun getting this ready for the pulling season! :thumbs:

[clintonnut 127]

Hi Everyone,

Today we finished the fabrication of the front axle. Later we will beef up the welds but here it sits with it's new 15lb lighter stance!

Charlie

[rickv1957 77]

Charlie,tractor is sitting nice! Rick