C_hasbeen 249 #1 Posted January 3, 2020 Hello I want to introduce myself, I am Cliff and picked up a 656 with rear discharge 32 inch deck, snow blade and a moldboard plow on new year's Eve. I spent New year's day moving my Sears and other stuff to the shed so I could have this little project. I need to get it in shape for spring when we break a new garden. I acquired three 6 hp Tecumseh engines in the deal but not one is operational, I did get a new rod and piston with the disassembled engine. Tonight I drained the transaxle and plan on checking it out and replacing seals and hope everything else is good but only time will tell I guess. I pulled the rear wheels off and the hubs were very loose which as you can guess caused me a bit of concern, however the key way in the axles is great, just wearing on the woodruff key so those need to go, I am thinking I surly have those if not that's cheap! Well the plan was to make sure the transaxle is good before getting into an engine and what not. As far as I can tell the only pieces I am missing is the adjuster j bolt and knob for deck height. I did not grab any deck pictures or plow and blade pictures before spitting them into storage but did grab a couple of the tractor before I started in on it. Thanks for all the resources on this web site, it surly will make this little project easier. 8 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZXT 2,394 #2 Posted January 3, 2020 Hey Cliff! to , and welcome to your new addiction! You have one now but that'll quickly turn into two.. then three Looks like you have a good start for your project. What is wrong with the other two engines (other than being Tecumseh's )? If all three of them are blown up, I would try to find a Kohler to put in its place. One would swap in easily and be a better engine. That said, if any of the Tecky's have life left in them, run it! The members here have a plethora of information to share and will gladly do so. Glad that the keyways are in good shape and only need the keys replaced! Most of the time they have worn the axle and/or the hub. Often times, people will add a second set screw to help prevent this in the future. Might be something to consider! Is your Sears old? If it is, we do have a "different brands" section! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 8,852 #5 Posted January 3, 2020 If your not familiar with old Tecumseh’s treat the old electrical ignition components gently, there getting hard to find replacement parts for. There are some Techy pro’s here that can guide you if needed 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pollack Pete 2,273 #8 Posted January 3, 2020 Nice 656.That's the model of Wheel Horse that started the lunacy for me.Still have it tucked away in one of my sea boxes.Have fun with your new toy and like others have said,thats how the addiction starts.You're hooked...…... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,677 #9 Posted January 3, 2020 9 hours ago, C_hasbeen said: I pulled the rear wheels off and the hubs were very loose which as you can guess caused me a bit of concern, however the key way in the axles is great, just wearing on the woodruff key so those need to go, There ate three rights of passage in the community. Successfully removing wheel hubs is one of them and you have passed the test. One of the others is removing the hitch pin from the rear of the transmission (hope that goes well for you) and the third is steering wheel removal. @BOB ELLISON can fix you up with a very nice seat cover and Lowell can help you out with transmission and steering parts.https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/forum/141-wheelhorse-parts-and-more/ 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 19,542 #10 Posted January 3, 2020 Like was said before, if your not concerned about being all original it might be easier to swap in a new motor like a Kohler K181 (8 hp). This is my 657 which is pretty much identicle to your 656, it has a Kohler 8hp pull start under the hood now and fits perfectly. 6 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,332 #12 Posted January 3, 2020 28 minutes ago, 953 nut said: There ate three rights of passage in the community. Successfully removing wheel hubs is one of them and you have passed the test. One of the others is removing the hitch pin from the rear of the transmission (hope that goes well for you) and the third is steering wheel removal. @BOB ELLISON can fix you up with a very nice seat cover and Lowell can help you out with transmission and steering parts.https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/forum/141-wheelhorse-parts-and-more/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
857 horse 2,581 #13 Posted January 3, 2020 2 hours ago, Sparky said: Like was said before, if your not concerned about being all original it might be easier to swap in a new motor like a Kohler K181 (8 hp). This is my 657 which is pretty much identicle to your 656, it has a Kohler 8hp pull start under the hood now and fits perfectly. dang mike,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,this is a nice machine.!!!!!!!! thanks for the pics.....!!!!!! 1 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOB ELLISON 2,976 #14 Posted January 3, 2020 Welcome to the greatest wheel horse site in the world. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,771 #15 Posted January 3, 2020 Cliff Looks like you may have some bad tranny outboard needle bearings going on ther by the looks of the oil around the hubs. You got the hubs off your way ahead of the game. Get the hitch pin loose where it passes through the tranny and then saw it off those are easily replaceable. Lots of good help here as most of us have been in these things many times over and have just about sawed it all. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C_hasbeen 249 #16 Posted January 4, 2020 22 hours ago, ZXT said: Hey Cliff! to , and welcome to your new addiction! You have one now but that'll quickly turn into two.. then three Looks like you have a good start for your project. What is wrong with the other two engines (other than being Tecumseh's )? If all three of them are blown up, I would try to find a Kohler to put in its place. One would swap in easily and be a better engine. That said, if any of the Tecky's have life left in them, run it! The members here have a plethora of information to share and will gladly do so. Glad that the keyways are in good shape and only need the keys replaced! Most of the time they have worn the axle and/or the hub. Often times, people will add a second set screw to help prevent this in the future. Might be something to consider! Is your Sears old? If it is, we do have a "different brands" section! Thanks! the engines that came along with this deal, one is disassembled, the second has been disassembled and the rod and piston taken out and put back together and has a new rod and piston, and the other was sitting on under the hood not bolted in but does turnover and has an electric starter. I do like the idea of getting a kohler like you mentioned, I will look at that end of the tractor once i get into the trans-axle and find that it is in repairable condition. The second set of set screws is a good idea I think my Sears has two on each hub, it is a 1973 I think ST/18 it does have a Tecumseh and the high low three speed trans-axle. I may go check out the other brands page and see what is going on over there. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C_hasbeen 249 #17 Posted January 4, 2020 20 hours ago, oliver2-44 said: If your not familiar with old Tecumseh’s treat the old electrical ignition components gently, there getting hard to find replacement parts for. There are some Techy pro’s here that can guide you if needed I have heard that the ignitions were pretty scares to find so I will defiantly take you advice and try not to ruin to much good stuff! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C_hasbeen 249 #18 Posted January 4, 2020 13 hours ago, Pollack Pete said: Nice 656.That's the model of Wheel Horse that started the lunacy for me.Still have it tucked away in one of my sea boxes.Have fun with your new toy and like others have said,thats how the addiction starts.You're hooked...…... oh no like I need one more addiction! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C_hasbeen 249 #19 Posted January 4, 2020 13 hours ago, 953 nut said: There ate three rights of passage in the community. Successfully removing wheel hubs is one of them and you have passed the test. One of the others is removing the hitch pin from the rear of the transmission (hope that goes well for you) and the third is steering wheel removal. @BOB ELLISON can fix you up with a very nice seat cover and Lowell can help you out with transmission and steering parts.https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/forum/141-wheelhorse-parts-and-more/ Thanks for the contacts for the parts that I will need I appreciate that for sure! you ain't kidding about that hitch pin man that sucker is stubborn, but I am up to the challenge I cut it so I could remove the hitch and think I will wind up using my press to get it out, heat and beat got it to move some but I hate beating on stuff to much. well at least I have one of the three behind me. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C_hasbeen 249 #20 Posted January 4, 2020 13 hours ago, Sparky said: Like was said before, if your not concerned about being all original it might be easier to swap in a new motor like a Kohler K181 (8 hp). This is my 657 which is pretty much identicle to your 656, it has a Kohler 8hp pull start under the hood now and fits perfectly. That sure does look nice sitting under the hood, seems to fill it up nicely, keeping it original is not what I bought it for especially since it is not a running tractor, however I may get one of the 6 running and sitting on the shelf for going to church or a wedding if I had to dress up or something. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C_hasbeen 249 #21 Posted January 4, 2020 10 hours ago, BOB ELLISON said: Welcome to the greatest wheel horse site in the world. Well yea! I have standards ya know and would not wanna hang around on a less than greatest in the world place. 1 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C_hasbeen 249 #22 Posted January 4, 2020 10 hours ago, WHX24 said: Cliff Looks like you may have some bad tranny outboard needle bearings going on the by the looks of the oil around the hubs. You got the hubs off your way ahead of the game. Get the hitch pin loose where it passes through the tranny and then saw it off those are easily replaceable. Lots of good help here as most of us have been in these things many times over and have just about sawed it all. yea I am expecting a level of ugly once I get that case opened up, when I drained it all that came out was my best guess melted snow. I did tilt the case to the side and fill it up with mineral spirits because that is what I had and turned everything over by hand in all gears then let it sit for a while and then drained again. yea about that hitch pin that must be a pressed fit I did use a saw to cut the ends so I could remove the hitch I heated and beat it and it moved some but I think the best is to press it out. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,771 #23 Posted January 4, 2020 Try drilling a small hole in the middle of the case to try and get some lube down in there. You will not be able to split the cases with the pin in. Some guys report using an air hammer on it works. I always try and get the tranny piece loose before I saw as I know then it will hammer out. Slot hitch remains come out in the press then. I have yet to try and put the whole tranny to a press but have no doubt it will someday come to that. See @953 nut s right of passage above. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Howie 882 #24 Posted January 4, 2020 If those are the old 6hp Tecumseh's they do not use the same type of ignition the 10 and12 horsepower engines do. They do have points and condenser in them, and looks like aftermarket coils are available for them. If they are the later engines with the coils outside the flywheel stuff is available. Won't find to much for pistons and rods other than the standard stuff. If one looks long enough may find some oversize pistons and rings at a price. I just did one of these for my Lawn Ranger a couple of years ago. It was an HH60 I believe off a Troybilt tiller. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 59,713 #25 Posted January 4, 2020 You’re already on the right track and I’m late to the party, so... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
