Early production RJ35 going back together a little at a time!

[Hammerhead 816]

I worked on my early production RJ35 today. Removed the NOS Schnacke recoil starter that didn't grip anything when you pulled on the handle. It was cleaned up on the inside and reinstalled and works as it should. The little Kohler has alot of compression! I hope it will run. I cleaned and reinstalled the rear hitch assembly. Remounted the original front tires and rims. They haven't been mounted in 5 or 6 years! Definetly gives it an old look now. I used four old bolts to mount the engine to keep it looking old school. Does anybody have one of these old style kill switches that match my holes in the back of the hood? I'd like to buy one if you have one available? Thanks...Keith

[AMC RULES 36,945]

WOW Keith, that thing is nice.

I've always really liked the racing stripe too, kinda gives it some hot rod character. :thumbs:

[Jake Kuhn 1,547]

That is looking nice! Jake

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,040]

Is that black strip painted or a decal? Do you plan on removing that? Looking nice. I woud say that is a 55 for sure just not early model production. Nice unit !

[VinsRJ 721]

Very nice RJ!

On the kill switch.... that has been a on and off RS topic of conversation over the last couple of years. There has been a lot of activity amoung members to locate the source of those switches. To my knowledge no one has confirmed the original producer/source Pond used for the switch, nor has any one found a currently produced switch which fits the bill 100% or even 80%. The switch was a single wire self grounding brass push button style with a brass mounting bezel.

RJ35Hunter as posted pics of a completed original switch in prior posts. I have posted pics of just the bezel (thats all I have of my original switch).

[AMC RULES 36,945]

Is there a link available to RJ35Hunter's picts?

[grnlark 479]

Very cool machine!

To Steve's point, if it was an early '55 wouldn't it have had the Clinton and not the Kohler?

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,040]

Another tell on the early model 55's was the gas tank stand to mount the clinton gas tank. The first 100 had the aluminum steering wheel as well. Either way that is a very nice machine. It has the 55 rear hitch.

[Lars 526]

Nice looking RJ

[speedyleedy 205]

Great work hammerhead & keep the stripe it's cool ! :bow-blue:

[grnlark 479]

Another tell on the early model 55's was the gas tank stand to mount the clinton gas tank. The first 100 had the aluminum steering wheel as well. Either way that is a very nice machine. It has the 55 rear hitch.

Oh yeah, the tank stand... I forgot mine had that. Cool.

[CasualObserver 3,406]

Is there a link available to RJ35Hunter's picts?

http://www.wheelhors...ictures-needed/

[Eriks Red horse herd 43]

Keith - If ya can hold your horses a little while longer i might have a switch for ya! I did'nt want to let the cat out of the bag, BUT i 'm in the middle of reproducing the original kill switch. Its to original specks and is solid brass. its taken awaile to get the first 12 to geither but should be easier after i get all the bugs worked out . hopfully post pics in the next month or so. so stay tuned to this channel.

[Hammerhead 816]

Yeh I will keep the black stripe on this oldie. I kinda like it, reminds me a old slot car or Lemans race car! I will say that this is not the original engine as discussed in earlier threads about this machine. However it does have the remnents of the gas tank stand, so I still think it is a early production machine. Not in the first batch of 100 RJ's with the aluminum steering wheels but probably pretty early in the 2nd batch of tractors since it still has the gas tank stand. I think a Kohler motor still had the gas tank stand, I am not sure if only Clinton engines used the gas tank stand. Mine didn't have a gas tank either, missing in action. I'd like to get some measurements of the gas tank. I have a guesstimate going by the marks left on the underside of the hood. I would like to see those repo switches Erik...Thanks alot guys for your comments. Keith

[bowtiebutler956 649]

That thing is sweet!!!!!!

Matt :flags-texas: