The wife said I need a hobby... C160 Auto

[Emmy's Dad 23]

 New to the forum here so forgive me if this question has been already. 

 

A while ago I was given an '87 John Deere 214 from my wife's grandpa and it started an interest in restoration. Lucky for me, it had been garage kept for the last 15 years.

 

Long story short, a friend of mine got to talking and he said he has an old Wheel Horse C-160 Automatic that he was going to scrap. He said if I can come get it, I can have it for free. Seems like the tractor is mostly complete other than the headlight assy., gas tank, and a cover in the center where the shifter would go on the 8-speed models. Not sure of the year but is has hydraulic lift 48" deck (some rusted spots) and seems to be in decent shape for being outside for the last 5 years. 

 

My main question is "does anyone have any pictures I can compare to so I can see what else is missing?" 

 

Trying to figure out if it's worth my time.

 

Thanks for the help!

[squonk 40,975]

A free C-160 is worth anyone's time!   

[Emmy's Dad 23]

5 minutes ago, squonk said:

A free C-160 is worth anyone's time!   

Agreed, just more worried about finding out what all accessories came on that model. I know one of them had an hour meter on the cover panel that is missing but is there a way to find out which ones this particular tractor came with?

 And not angering the wife with the cost of the resto. Lol

[Blasterdad 2,688]

It should look like this, this is my C-120 Auto, the 160 should look basically the same, don't think they had an hour meter, just an ammeter...

Almost forgot, 2 

Should be more pics in the picture gallery too...

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,229]

Congratulations, the C-160 is a great machine. This one is a 1974, the seat and fenders open to the back, After 1975 the fenders are bolted down.

 

 

 

[953 nut 54,947]

         Depending on the year the seat will change.

[Achto 27,482]

   Free is always a good starting price. I would try to get it running & driving, then make any decisions based on that. If it has major issues that you don't wish to deal with, you can always part it out or sell it.

[Emmy's Dad 23]

Thanks for the replies, I should have taken pictures when I went over but it was pouring down outside and I wasn't even going to attempt to load it into the truck without a winch lol. I'm going to try to get it next Sunday with the trailer, then maybe I'll have some pics for you. 

Edited May 1, 2017 by Emmy's Dad
Spelling and autocorrect.

[AMC RULES 37,124]

A 1977 model here. 

71-16K801 1977 C Series Garden Tractor C-160 8-Speed Kohler K341S-71128A 16 Wheel Horse 103907

 

 

Edited May 1, 2017 by AMC RULES

[Emmy's Dad 23]

 Ok guys, my buddy sent me some pictures. They're not great but any info and input would be great! Thanks!

[608KEB 795]

It's a 76 or 77. In 74 and 75 they came with a hour meter. I'm not sure about a hour meter standard on post 76 C-160's. The 74 n 75's the rear fender flips up. The post 76 the seat flips up, but not the rear fender. I would grab it quick. Good condition  C-160's are few and far. The rear decal is incorrect.

Edited May 1, 2017 by 608KEB

[squonk 40,975]

My 76 has both ammeter and hour meter and the fender pan does flip.

 

 

 

[Retired Wrencher 5,430]

Emmy's Dad      That would be a great project for you. Lots of power there as long you are handy. Enjoy.

Edited May 1, 2017 by Retierd Wrencher

[608KEB 795]

Maybe some the 1975 parts carried in 1976. Not sure about that.

[Sarge 3,463]

If it were offered to me , it would already be in the shed and getting some TLC....

 

Sarge

[Emmy's Dad 23]

Lol ya, I got it home finally and put it under the carport (wife isn't happy) but it's safe 😊

[Emmy's Dad 23]

Well work has been crazy lately so I'm just now getting the head off the check the cylinder and valves. Let's just say that I'm in for more than I had hoped lol. Haven't mic'd the bore or piston yet but it looks like someone put the wrong piston in...

 

[Emmy's Dad 23]

[Racinbob 11,029]

On 5/1/2017 at 11:38 AM, 608KEB said:

Maybe some the 1975 parts carried in 1976. Not sure about that.

 

 'Officially' the 76's didn't have hood ornaments or flip back fenders but if they had the flip fenders and hoods with the ornament holes left over they used them on the 76's. That happened often and has made for some interesting variations not to mention driving us all nuts.

[953 nut 54,947]

8 hours ago, Emmy's Dad said:

getting the head off the check the cylinder and valves. Let's just say that I'm in for more than I had hoped

Best to take it to a shop that can bore the block and ask them to measure it. before doing that you will want to check the crank too. Buy some green plastigage at an auto parts store and re install the rod cap with the green stuff to see how the crank looks. They are generally good but you need to know.

[Emmy's Dad 23]

Ya, called the local shop and they said between $75 and $90 depending on how far they need to go. Wasn't happy to find it but I can't exactly complain having paid nothing for it lol. Looks to me like someone had it bored over and then tried to use O/S rings on a Std. piston. I'll definitely be pulling the engine and checking the crank bc I have to basically strip the block for them to bore it. Well work has been crazy lately so I'm just now getting the head off the check the cylinder and valves. Let's just say that I'm in for more than I had hoped lol. Haven't mic'd the bore or piston yet but it looks like someone put the wrong piston in...