New guy with a couple of RJ-58 questions

[SolarGuru 28]

From a newbie with an RJ-58 and a few questions.

 

I’m the new guy on the block and have just about completed my first attempt at a rebuild, of sorts, of a 1958 RJ-58.  It had been sitting outdoors under a tree for many years in the mountains of Colorado.  When I first saw it I thought it was a peddle toy.  Then I saw the engine and I thought this would be a fun restoration project, something that I’ve never attempted before.  After completely dissembling it, I realized a professional restoration was out of my league.  I needed access to a machine shop and a professional body shop.  So I just decided to clean it up as best as I could, get a few of the real rusty parts sandblasted with AL oxide, paint it, and put it back together.  After tightening up a few magneto wires under the Kohler K91 flywheel and reassembling everything, the motor started right up – amazing. 

 

I’ve been looking through the Q & A forums to see if anyone has had the same problems as I have.  No luck, so hopefully someone can help me out.  I’ve found that a 29†drive belt is “about†the right size.  However, when the motor is running, it’s spinning the belt and the transmission pulley, even with the clutch peddle depressed.  So, I need to start the engine in gear with the clutch peddle depressed.  My neighbor said if I ran the Horse up and down the driveway several times (0.4 miles for one round trip) the belt would stretch enough so that it would probably slide over the transmission pulley without spinning it.  So far, I’ve completed only one trip without any signs of improvement.  My second problem is with the very loosy-goosy steering.  If I turn all the way to the right or left, the front wheels lock up and I can only go in circles until I stop and kick the wheels back into the forward position.  I’m guessing this is because of very worn parts.  Short of welding some stops somewhere to prevent over steering, does anyone have some other suggestions as to how to deal with the funny steering?

 

Jon

[Tom. 70]

Hi Jon,

Firstly Welcome to Redsquare! You have a great looking RJ58 and have done an excellent job on restoring it, it looks brilliant. It's nice to see another RJ saved.

Do you have a belt guard on it? I had a similar problem with my suburban 400 regarding it not stopping when depressing the clutch and I solved it by adding belt guides, do you have any on your RJ? I have also ordered a reproduction belt guard because this will also help guide the belt.

Tom

[AMC RULES 37,196]

[buckrancher 2,694]

you need a belt guard to stop the belt from spinning when the clutch pedal is pushed your steering trouble could be a combination of things bent or worn parts post a picture of the steering parts on the bottom side front

 

Brian

[SolarGuru 28]

Hi Jon,

Firstly Welcome to Redsquare! You have a great looking RJ58 and have done an excellent job on restoring it, it looks brilliant. It's nice to see another RJ saved.

Do you have a belt guard on it? I had a similar problem with my suburban 400 regarding it not stopping when depressing the clutch and I solved it by adding belt guides, do you have any on your RJ? I have also ordered a reproduction belt guard because this will also help guide the belt.

Tom

Thanks Tom for the suggestion.  There is a belt guard on the Horse but no guides.  I'll see what I can do and it sounds like that would solve the problem.

Jon

[Tom. 70]

Hi Jon,

 

I have attached a picture (hopefully) of belt guides on a suburban which should be fairly similar. I hope this is of help to you. Let us know how you get on.

 

Tom

[jackhammer 550]

good looking job on your tractor and welcome here

[SolarGuru 28]

you need a belt guard to stop the belt from spinning when the clutch pedal is pushed your steering trouble could be a combination of things bent or worn parts post a picture of the steering parts on the bottom side front

 

Brian

Brian, the belt guard sounds like just what I need.  As for the steering, I do have three "Before"  pics that I took, primarily so I'd know how to put everything back together.  But being new to this web site, I don't see the right buttons to push to attach pics to a reply.  

Jon

[C-101plowerpower 1,606]

Brian, the belt guard sounds like just what I need.  As for the steering, I do have three "Before"  pics that I took, primarily so I'd know how to put everything back together.  But being new to this web site, I don't see the right buttons to push to attach pics to a reply.  

Jon

 

first of, welcome to redsquare, nice save on the RJ

pictures can be uploaded to photobucket and the like and then using the img url you get there you can get the image showing here by putting it's url between these [ img ]  [ /img ] (minus the 4 spaces between the brackets)

 

 

Koen

[SolarGuru 28]

Brian, here are three pics of the steering pieces before I cleaned them up.  The tie rod (part # 12) was bent and I straightened it before re-assembling.  I'm just assuming it was straight when it was new.  The steering link (part #78) is also bent, somewhat.  Don't know if it's supposed to be that way but I left the slight bend in it.  Maybe that's where the problem lies.  

Jon

[buckrancher 2,694]

the steering link should be straight be sure the angle ends are 90 degrees off the rod. Just a thought which side of the lower steering block(#67)  on the steering shaft did you have the steering link rod the pin should go up thru the block and the link rod thru the pin on top of the steering block(#67)

 

Drive belt size is 1/2 x 29"

 

Brian

Edited January 5, 2015 by buckrancher

[953 nut 59,886]

   Nice job, love the RJs! Your steering issue may be tied to worn bushings or parts, if there is slop between shaft parts or the drag link or steering sector are not a tight fit they could bind against each other. Also, where they come together needs to be a 90 degree angle. 

 

Good luck and keep us posted                           

[KC9KAS 4,744]

Jon,   You have done an awesome job on your tractor.

 

Others have given you the belt problem advice...Good Luck!

Edited January 5, 2015 by KC9KAS

[SolarGuru 28]

the steering link should be straight be sure the angle ends are 90 degrees off the rod. Just a thought which side of the lower steering block(#67)  on the steering shaft did you have the steering link rod the pin should go up thru the block and the link rod thru the pin on top of the steering block(#67)

 

Drive belt size is 1/2 x 29"

 

Brian

Bingo! You hit the nail right on the head.  I had the pin going through from the top and connecting the rod on the bottom.  Guess I should have looked at the exploded view of this ass'y.  Thanks so much.  It will be easy to remove and straighten the rod and get it back together.  Yes, the belt I have is 1/2 x 29".  Now I'll just need to wait for a day when it isn't so terribly windy to try out the fix.  I'll also put the belt guard on to see if that confines the belt enough to keep it from spinning the transmission pulley while the clutch peddle is engaged. 

Jon

[Racinbob 11,919]

Great job on your RJ. I'm sure you already know that you found the right place for your questions.

[SolarGuru 28]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement and good suggestions.  Just one last thing before calling it a day.  I've included five pics of the steering tie rod (part #12) that I just pulled.  Just to make sure, before taking a hammer to this, the rod should be straight between the two ends, which are 90 degrees to the rod, correct?

[buckrancher 2,694]

yes rod should be straight between the 90 degree ends but remember the the ends are not in line with each other and should maintain the  twist you see in the part and the correct kidney shaped belt guard should stop your belt from spinning you have a very good looking RJ there

 

Brian

Edited January 6, 2015 by buckrancher

[Riley088 63]

This thread right here is what this community is all about. Nothing but positive comments and helpful advice to a newbie. Welcome to Red Square. Great find and great job on the RJ.