round hood help

[whtractors24 3,362]

I been interested in purchasing an rj but I want to know how to make sure its the original tank, original exhaust cover & the belt guards? any help is appreciated!

[Kelly 1,033]

Post a few pictures, that will help

[Uncle Buck 246]

In KS juniors don't seem to pop up that often. If I was looking and found one for the right money, but maybe not 100% right I would snag it and figure out the missing or messed up stuff later!

[BPjunk 184]

Now here is a real good question ...... Just how does one tell if the Wheel Horse up for purchase is original ... on not ?

 

OK not counting service items like tires , throttle cables, filters, mufflers or belts on a Wheel Horse that is 30 to 50 years old what I look at is paint. Not how glossy the shine is on the hood but look at the bolt heads, is the paint chipped off the bolt heads holding the engine? Any time I see a different color paint a red flag goes up (sorry no pun intended) Maybe the engine was replaced and the same for the Uni-drive, but they could have been rebuilt. If rebuilt you see newer clean gaskets or incorrect replacement bolts. Keep in mind a RJ-58's Uni-drive bolt heads do not have any markings for the bolt grade, they are smooth. To check a exhaust guard I would use a micrometer and measure the thickness of the metal, and to tell the difference you have to do a study of reproductions against originals. The gas tank for the RJ-58's was made by Kohler and produced over a few years, personally I would not complain if the tank was replaced as these rusted out easily. What to look at is the gas tank straps, look at the spot welds ..... do they look like they have been welded a second time ?

 

One of the most important things to do before a purchase is STUDY, look others over and ask questions.

 

Wild Bill

[Uncle Buck 246]

Now here is a real good question ...... Just how does one tell if the Wheel Horse up for purchase is original ... on not ?

 

OK not counting service items like tires , throttle cables, filters, mufflers or belts on a Wheel Horse that is 30 to 50 years old what I look at is paint. Not how glossy the shine is on the hood but look at the bolt heads, is the paint chipped off the bolt heads holding the engine? Any time I see a different color paint a red flag goes up (sorry no pun intended) Maybe the engine was replaced and the same for the Uni-drive, but they could have been rebuilt. If rebuilt you see newer clean gaskets or incorrect replacement bolts. Keep in mind a RJ-58's Uni-drive bolt heads do not have any markings for the bolt grade, they are smooth. To check a exhaust guard I would use a micrometer and measure the thickness of the metal, and to tell the difference you have to do a study of reproductions against originals. The gas tank for the RJ-58's was made by Kohler and produced over a few years, personally I would not complain if the tank was replaced as these rusted out easily. What to look at is the gas tank straps, look at the spot welds ..... do they look like they have been welded a second time ?

 

One of the most important things to do before a purchase is STUDY, look others over and ask questions.

 

Wild Bill

I must just be too used to buying old crap with broken parts, flat tires, missing parts etc. I always figure if most of the thing is there and intact,great. If it is running then better still! The last WH I bought had 4 flat tires, the wrong engine, an even coat of rust overall. Something is messed up with the steering too because the wheel is frozen in place and you have to kick each front wheel in the direction you want to push it!

 

That machine is a Suburban I think, beyond that I have no clue about  anything else. I am just counting on blowing it apart and going through everything to make it right.

 

I guess so much for measuring anything with a mic or check paint! LOL, No paint to check! LOL

Edited May 24, 2014 by Uncle Buck

[Ken B 3,189]

Great advice Bill. Nice originals is where its at...