Breathing life back into my old 875 Wheelhorse

[Eddie 0]

I have a 875 Wheelhorse that has been sitting outside and neglected for years. I recently bought a 310-8 this renewed my interest in Wheelhorse and now I would like to fix the 875. Over the years I have replaced multiple head gaskets and this is a faithful little machine that worked really hard. But because of my newer lawn mowers have taken its place I neglected to fix it. The fuel pump does not appear to be working, has another blown head gasket, my dilemma is fix it or junk it. Is it worth fixing. Metal and everything is in great shape, transmission is fine. I tried for a while to find parts and finally gave up. I toyed with the idea of putting a Honda or other brand motor on it, which is actually cheaper than fixing this one. What do you think.

[chazm 413]

Hi Eddie, If the sheet metal & trans are good, I'd overhaul the engine, sounds like a warped head or block issue if it keeps blowing gaskets. Don't give up on her

 

Chasm   

[Callen 64]

Eddie, What are you needing?

[KC9KAS 4,744]

Eddie,  , and we love pictures.

 

I was wondering why it keeps blowing head gaskets.

[Eddie 0]

Its been over ten years, I have had the head planed at NAPA, on a big belt sander, not real machining. I am guessing I have done that several times, maybe getting too thin, I will need a head. I know I need a fuel pump for sure. I thought I read somewhere where a person could eliminate the fuel pump altogether by doing some bypassing, or whatever, not sure. My gas tank sits higher than the carb. I guess I just never tried it. Now that I am getting the bug would like to fix the old girl and keep it to stock as much as possible. Where can I get parts for these older machines?? believe me I had done a lot of looking in the past. The big dealers could care less and the little guys are retired.

[roscoemi 245]

You can look right here. Any number of members have parts, check out Kelly as he has or can find damn near anything.

[953 nut 60,224]

eBay! You can find any parts you need on "the bay" and a lot of them are very well priced. You could also put a want add on the clasified section of Red Square. Good luck and keep us informed on your project.  

 

 

[953 nut 60,224]

You had said that several blown head gaskets later you have had the head surfaced, how about the block, if you remove the valves and put some self adhesave sand paper on a strong piece of glass and use it as a sanding block lightly sanding the block/head interface will show if there is any distortion. Worth a try!