Got an old horse

[tgranthamfd 29]

Been a while getting here, but I finaly got it, ended up giving $100 for it. This is my first project, hope I can make it look half as good as some of yours. I will be asking questions. Thanks. Think you guys decided it was a 1960 suburban 400. Is missing the engine and two pullies, one of the engine control cables, and a gas tank strap. Oh yeah what is the small round hole for on the hood by the controls?

Hood seems to have been damaged on top.

[plowmaster 0]

looks like your off to a good start.

[buckrancher 2,694]

the hole is for a kill switch to ground the points so you can shut off the motor :omg:

[TJ 184]

Looks solid. Good luck. :omg:

[gwgdog66 23]

:omg: little brother! He already has rusty parts soaking in an electroailsis (can't pronounce it let alone spell it) bucket removing rust.

[tgranthamfd 29]

Yeah, doing the belt cover in a 5 gal. bucket (trial run). No before pic, but I will get some afters posted, later, in works in progress . It's taking a while, might not have the mixture strong enough. Did about a table spoon ish per gallon with soda wash. Noticed most everyone else used house solid wire, I used what was availible (electric fence wire), could that be the problem with the slowness? What do ya think?

[linen beige 15]

the hole is for a kill switch to ground the points so you can shut off the motor

That is most likely why this hole was added, but it's not original. The 400 didn't have a kill switch. It relied on the throttle lever shorting out against the hood when pulled all the way back. The kill switch holes on the 550s were in the small angled area above the surface where the throttle/choke controls were mounted.

Given that this one had no factory kill switch hole I'd say it's a pretty fair bet that it IS a 400.

[tgranthamfd 29]

I have found no evidence at all, of any wireing or a battery. Almost 100% that it is a 400. Thanks.

[linen beige 15]

I have found no evidence at all, of any wireing or a battery. Almost 100% that it is a 400. Thanks.

The lack of an original ignition switch hole is absolute proof that at least the hood is from a 400.

The lack of any wiring evidence further supports this theory.

Can you give us a shot of the one engine control lever you have? I notice an extra hole drilled where the control lever cover plate was mounted. You may not have an original lever.

[CasualObserver 3,411]

This is what your controls are supposed to look like. (pay no attention to the toggle switch in the upper left corner, it's not "supposed" to be there.)

[HorseFixer 2,013]

Yep Looks like a 400 to me! :omg:

[gwgdog66 23]

This is what your controls are supposed to look like.

The throttle/choke cable in the picture doesn't look like the one Terry found with the tractor. I believe it was a single cable, and probably not the original one

Also would anyone know what size the drive pully's would be? PN# 1608 calls for two, and look to be no longer available.

[tgranthamfd 29]

I didn't get a picture of the cable set up, but I think it is the original. the second cable was torn out of the bracket( the right one). I have it at a friends nice big shop, will try to get a picture before work tomorrow. Seems like the hole was stripped out, might explane the extra hole. I really think there was 2 controls there when I first looked at it. I didn't even notice the extra hole in the hood. :omg:

[CasualObserver 3,411]

I have to ask... what's with these brackets? They look like they're welded on? Haven't seen those before, are they for that "other" plow bracket that was being discussed in the implement and attachment section?

[tgranthamfd 29]

Lord, I have no idea about those brackets. The lady I bought it from said it was her grandfather's and did a lot of improvising. She also said that the mower repair guy ( that stole the engine) told her that it had the wrong engine in it, told her the shaft went the wrong way, but I blew that one off cause I couldn't see any way a vertical could work on it. Also said it was brought here in a move from Indiana, It wasn't always an okie. :omg:

[tgranthamfd 29]

Someone had asked for a shot of the control cables. Here they are. I was mistaken about which side was ripped off, it was the choke side. Here is a couple. I think it is the original, don't know why the extra hole in the hood, though.

[linen beige 15]

That is the original control lever set up (minus the choke lever.)

Notice that the throttle lever is mounted with an insulating washer. There should be a wire connected to the lever and running to the points. That was the factory system for shutting down the engine by pulling the throttle all the way back and shorting it against the hood to ground out the points. Since this system wasn't always reliable a lot of owners installed "kill switches". That is most likely why your hood has a hole in it to the right of the steering shaft. I've noticed a lot of 400s with a plugged hole on the "dash". The 550s had a switch there and WH probably found it cheaper to make one style of hood and plug the holes on the later 400s. It's anybody's guess why there is another hole just above where the levers mount.

[tgranthamfd 29]

Cool !!! You Guys are great. :omg:

[gwgdog66 23]

Cool !!! You Guys are great.

Yes you are great!! Does anyone know if the Choke cable and lever can still be ordered? This one looks repairable.

[CasualObserver 3,411]

No, unfortunately that control setup has been obsolete for a number of years. It was only used on the 1960 tractors. A similar one was used in 1963 on the Model 603 though. It does indeed look repairable. You could make an attempt at reproducing the choke lever yourself, or perhaps you can find a donor part at a scrap yard like Rays in Boyertown, PA. (they have a plethora of old horses in their yard) It's a fairly simple piece, and connected a solid link down to flip the choke on the carburetor.

[gwgdog66 23]

No, unfortunately that control setup has been obsolete for a number of years. It was only used on the 1960 tractors. A similar one was used in 1963 on the Model 603 though. It does indeed look repairable. You could make an attempt at reproducing the choke lever yourself, or perhaps you can find a donor part at a scrap yard like Rays in Boyertown, PA. (they have a plethora of old horses in their yard) It's a fairly simple piece, and connected a solid link down to flip the choke on the carburetor.

Thanks. I think I can engineer a fix for it. Would you know the size of the engine drive pulley Part number 1608? It's NLA either.

[CasualObserver 3,411]

Not off the top of my head. If I remember, or unless someone else can get to it first, I'll try to measure it for you this weekend. It may even be posted here somewhere too, I don't remember and a quick search didn't find anything. You may even just be able to figure it out... it is a double groove pulley for

[ol550 830]

The pullies on mine are singles, no doubles. I have several and they all measure 2 1/2" and 'A' groove. Mike

[CasualObserver 3,411]

Hrmm... you got me there Mike... I never realized that was two separate pulleys. I've never had them off of mine.

[gwgdog66 23]

Thanks guys. 2 1/2 A grove. I found a K91 for it, I suspect it is a 3/4 inch shaft. How wide is the pulley surface that slides over the shaft?