What have you done to your Wheel Horse today?

[8ntruck 9,106]

I noticed a small amount of smoke coming from under the hood of Morgan, the 14-8.  Closer inspection revealed the smoke was coming from the front of the engine around the exhaust port where there was an accumulation of oily dirt.

 

Today, I gave the engine a bath with spray on Gunk and the garden hose.  Looks much better, though it didn't want to start.  Probably got the points damp.  I try it tomorrow and see what happens.  This happened last time I cleaned the engine - no start right after cleaning, but ran fine the next day.

[ineedanother 2,664]

19 minutes ago, 8ntruck said:

Today, I gave the engine a bath with spray on Gunk and the garden hose.  Looks much better, though it didn't want to start.  Probably got the points damp.  I try it tomorrow and see what happens.  This happened last time I cleaned the engine - no start right after cleaning, but ran fine the next day.

Try a bead of dielectric grease around the points cover and the gromet to keep the moisture out.

[davem1111 2,298]

Over the last few days....  replaced the coil, regulator and condensor on my 416-H.  I hadn't realized that it had a "non-standard" coil on it, and the coil was overheating after 10-15 minutes and the engine would die. So far, it runs great now. Had to "customize" some spark plug cables because (again, didn't realize) the old coil had screw-in cable ends. Used what I had lying around   Then, when I took it for a test drive, after about 50 feet of mowing there was a horrendous noise from the deck and it stopped cutting. Turns out the baffle decided to come loose on one end and "engage" with the mower blade.... got some welding to do now. Luckily I have 2 other working 48" SD decks and 3 running tractors. 

 

I pulled the 312-A into the garage and jacked it up - I think it's time for some deep cleaning and re-painting. Not a full restore, but I want it to look nice enough to put the chrome hubcaps and belt cover on.  

 

[Edit to add]:  Oh, and I was swapping the rear wheels on those 2 tractors mentioned, and noticed that the hydro filter was getting rusty on the 416, hence realized it was overdue for a hydro oil and filter change, hence ordered some new filters. I already have an oil filter, new spark plugs, and fuel filter for the GT-1848. Need to get that maintenance done soon. 

Mowed the trails around the fields with the GT-1848. Have some more yard mowing to get done later today.

Edited Wednesday at 06:25 PM by davem1111

[CRF857 370]

Swapped out tires/rims on the 520. Don’t know why but the original deep offset rims were not on this unit. The previous owner had spacers between the rims and hubs. I replaced the Sears 23x10.50-12 tires/rims with a set of 24x12-12 tires/rims. Also Sears, don’t recall how I got them. 
Since these rims were not offset enough I installed a 1” spacer on each hub. The tires just barely cleared the mower deck enough to install without removing the deck first.

picture #4 is with one of each size.

If I push snow with this tractor tis winterI may have to swap back in order to install a set of chains.

 

Edited Wednesday at 09:29 PM by CRF857

[sqrlgtr 3,441]

40 minutes ago, CRF857 said:

Don’t know why but the original deep offset rims were not on this unit

Ive come to the conclusion that not all 520's had the wider rims must be a year model thing. Just curious did you have to drill rims for the 1/2" lug studs?

[lynnmor 8,935]

5 minutes ago, sqrlgtr said:

Ive come to the conclusion that not all 520's had the wider rims must be a year model thing. Just curious did you have to drill rims for the 1/2" lug studs?

I bought a pair of tires and wheels that supposedly were on a 520, the tires were the correct size, brand and tread, but the offset was too little.  I too wonder if there were differences early on, perhaps I need to download some of the early owners manuals.

[sqrlgtr 3,441]

Rebuilt the mule drive for the 520H today. Lirrle paint, 2 new pulleys and new belt ready to be put back in use.

[CRF857 370]

39 minutes ago, sqrlgtr said:

Ive come to the conclusion that not all 520's had the wider rims must be a year model thing. Just curious did you have to drill rims for the 1/2" lug studs?

This one needs the deep offset rims.

And , yes I did drill the rims.  7/16ths to 1/2 didn’t take much effort.

[Lee1977 7,724]

On 8/5/2026 at 6:10 PM, sqrlgtr said:

Ive come to the conclusion that not all 520's had the wider rims must be a year model thing. Just curious did you have to drill rims for the 1/2" lug studs?

The 1988 and 1989 520 H came with 7" wide wheels  and 23 x 950 x 12 tires. Stright front axle with 3/4" spindles 16 x 650 x 8 tires.

 

[CasaytheMann 205]

I pulled the recycler cover off my HXL and had my son-in-law scan it for 3D printing another one in the future, should it break. They are very hard to find, and typically not cheap. Once he gets me the file I'll post it in it's own thread for anyone looking for one in the future. They can download it and find someone to print it up.

[CRF857 370]

On my 520 the gas cap and hydro dipstick are underneath the seat. The seat doesn’t flop forward enough to stay up. Got tired of finding something to prop it with. I already have some rubber stops with 5/16s thread. After scrounging around a little I found a short piece of 5/16s all-thread, a matching rod end, and coupling nut. After drilling a hole I bolted on the assembly.
Raise the seat and it falls into a vertical position, or push it to the back where it won’t move. Flip it forward when lowering the seat and it rests next to the seat bracket.

Much better.

[Handy Don 17,060]

4 minutes ago, CRF857 said:

Much better.

Clearly a clever solution to a serious annoyance. Still, I’m wondering what happened to the gas shock and bracket that would normally hold the raised seat?

[CRF857 370]

3 hours ago, Handy Don said:

Still, I’m wondering what happened to the gas shock and bracket that would normally hold the raised seat?

 

That would make two of us!🤨

[ineedanother 2,664]

Haven't done it yet but these might go on the 161 with the FEL to improve the strain on steering components. Crappy, dirty looking rims with wheelbarrow tires came on an off-brand cart I acquired somehow. Bushings and zerk fittings and when I stripped the junk tires and knocked the bushings out, they were really nice looking 4" x 8 rims with potential. Hit them with some degreaser and ordered some decent bearings and a pair of 4 ply Deestone tri-ribs. 

[sqrlgtr 3,441]

Replaced front wheel bearings on last 312-8 I acquired and sprayed some Regal Red on a set of WH rear weights, that are allocated for a 520H.

[ineedanother 2,664]

7 minutes ago, sqrlgtr said:

Replaced front wheel bearings on last 312-8 I acquired and sprayed some Regal Red on a set of WH rear weights, that are allocated for a 520H.

 

Damn man, I thought there was a lot of crack in Durham, NC 

[lynnmor 8,935]

6 hours ago, Handy Don said:

Clearly a clever solution to a serious annoyance. Still, I’m wondering what happened to the gas shock and bracket that would normally hold the raised seat?

The early models had no gas spring, the geometry was such that the seat would lay on the steering wheel.  Modified springs, adjustment tracks and aftermarket seats cause a problem.

[WHX?? 57,557]

Tied into a Onan I got from @Blasterdad at @Pullstart plow day. Someone started taking it all apart and don't know why. He said it ran when parked and debating whether or not to pop the heads and check things out. Seems to have good compression. Hear tell new head gaskets are junk tho. 

Cleaned up nice & maybe give  the flywheel some red bling. 

[Sodaking27 1,302]

Painted the footrests and side panels. Now it’s got me to thinking I need to paint the hood and fender pan.

 

 

[sqrlgtr 3,441]

1 hour ago, WHX?? said:

Tied into a Onan I got from @Blasterdad at @Pullstart plow day. Someone started taking it all apart and don't know why. He said it ran when parked and debating whether or not to pop the heads and check things out. Seems to have good compression. Hear tell new head gaskets are junk tho. 

Cleaned up nice & maybe give  the flywheel some red bling. 

I would most defiantly reseal manifold, carb kit, and decarb while I had it on workbench may save a lot of headaches later on.

[lynnmor 8,935]

1 hour ago, WHX?? said:

Tied into a Onan I got from @Blasterdad at @Pullstart plow day. Someone started taking it all apart and don't know why. He said it ran when parked and debating whether or not to pop the heads and check things out. Seems to have good compression. Hear tell new head gaskets are junk tho. 

Cleaned up nice & maybe give  the flywheel some red bling. 

 

 

You are to de-carbon the heads regularly so it isn't a waste of time to pull the heads.  You can have OK compression with a loose valve seat, so check carefully when the heads are off.  Adjust the valves, clean the carb, check the intake manifold and paint the exhaust.  Use only genuine Onan gaskets for the intake, valve covers and heads, others may fail

[sqrlgtr 3,441]

46 minutes ago, lynnmor said:

Adjust the valves,

This I knew I was forgetting sumin. The valves were all tight on mine.