My new found toy.

[mdclem 12]

I'm new to the Wheel Horse world after inheriting a 1989 520-H with tiller, snow plow, and mower deck. I recently found an RJ-58 in an old shed under a bunch of junk and luckily acquired that one too. Now I'm restoring it and am looking for a heat shield, front wheel(s), and I would love to get my hands on a toolbox/fender assembly for this thing. Any tips you have for me I'm all ears. Thanks.

[AMC RULES 37,195]

[bowtiebutler956 650]

Wow, that's a great new toy! I'm not qualified to answer your questions, but there are many here who can and will help you with your round hood. That's a very solid, and original looking machine you have there.

Matt :flags-texas:

[neil 2,410]

Congratulation on joining the RJ club you wont regret it, Great find

[Jake Kuhn 1,579]

:WRS: That is one nice looking tractor. Jake

[VinsRJ 723]

Looks like you have a very nice base tractor to start a resto. Keep in mind that the exhaust heat sheild and tool box/fenders were an option for a RJ58, so if you are looking to resto as original those parts are not required. If you are looking to give her all the options then start the search, LOL.

Tool box/ fenders will run in the 50-70 dollar range and the heat shields run about 50. Your best bet is to hit all of the tractor sites with wanted ads, tractor shows and evil-bay.

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,527]

I think that one is too nice to repaint !! Clean it up and paint wheels and seat and get it running nice and enjoy it !

[Ken B 3,189]

I agree, nice score and a nice tractor to restore. I must say though, the original decals look to be in very nice condition. If you could save them for reuse that would be nice. I'm not sure the repo's are quite the same.

I learned something new today. I didn't know the exhaust heat shields were an option. That might explain why it seems every RJ or Suburban that I've owned has lacked one.

[mdclem 12]

Thanks everyone. The heat shield being optional is news to me too. Any examples on those websites VinsRJ. Does anyone know what model Clinton Engine it appears is on this thing. The ID tag is missing. I did recover a Clinton 1200 engine out of the same shed and its wheel horse red. Did they put the 1200 on the 58 or just the 35?

[VinsRJ 723]

Can you read the serial number on the ID tag? What is the casted date code in the tranny case next to the shifter imput. Early RJ58s did come with Clinton 1200s with a Fairbanks recoils. The motor on your unit looks to be a replacement B1290 (basicaly a 1200 with a couple differences). Obviously its not the original motor.

Tool box/fenders and heat sheilds were more of a mid to later 1958 add on. I was advised of this information by a very well know RJ expert and the thought holds true IMO as you tend to see them on later production RJs and Suburbans. Now they could have been added on over the years. My early production RJ58 (serial number below 2000) has a 1200 with Fairbanks and never had the tool/box fenders or heat shield installed. You can tell by the paint... look on top of the tranny. If the paint patina'd apprx the same as the rest of the tractor it is pretty safe to say it did not come with the tool box/fender kit.

The BIG DEAL with your tractor is you have the blet gaurd!!!! Thats HUGE! I would want that over any tool box/fender or heat shield any day.....

I think that one is too nice to repaint !! Clean it up and paint wheels and seat and get it running nice and enjoy it !

Just don't oil it.... Steve, its taken about 2 Gallons of Purple Power and a couple pairs fo jeans to remove all of the oil off the 57... LOL!

[Ken B 3,189]

It would be nice to see what she looks like with a SERIOUS cleaning.

[mdclem 12]

VinsRJ, the serial number is 5690. I will get the tranny code this evening. It definitely didn't have the fenders/toolbox originally. I'm not too worried about the heat shield. I don't plan on doing much with it other than a local parade or too and a couple tractor shows.

[AMC RULES 37,195]

Humm, think that exhaust route is original? :popcorn:

[mdclem 12]

OK. There is no code stamped in the tranny anywhere. After a thorough cleaning all found was some rusty red paint.

[VinsRJ 723]

IMO your serial number and a no date code tranny case would lead to an earlier production RJ58 and optional add ons.

Is the engine ID tag present on the other Clinton you got with the tractor? Post up the numbers if you can. I will not be able to say 100% if its the original engine but we can rule it out quickly if not.

[mdclem 12]

The other Clinton engine is:

Serial #: 4652780 and the letter "B" stamped in

Model#: 1200 2184

There must be 8-10 Clinton Engines in this building. A few I ruled out for sure since those engine models were newer and weren't the wheel horse red color.

[JackC 617]

That is quite the exhaust system. Maybe it was owned by a plumber?

[krazy_horse 59]

I agree with stevebo and the others, just scrub her up and paint the wheels and seat and I saw another muffler system on an engine behind your tractor. Thats like finding a nice original old car to me. Good luck with it. Jim

[wheelhorse656 20]

Looks like a good and belt guard to start with! I am sure somone here can get you the parts you need..... Mabye hard to find a good used heat shield but I know a guy who makes them aftermarket ffor a round $50 free shipping.

OH ya and :WRS: