'74 C160 Tecumseh engine tractor. Let's put it to use!

[ebinmaine 72,603]

@kpinnc

 

I had an order for McMaster Carr to place. 

Found them there.  

Thanks for the size reference.  

I also ordered a couple different thicknesses of washers.  

 

[ebinmaine 72,603]

Today I separated out all the new parts and continued clean up.  

 

 

 

Replaced all 3 axle grease fittings. 

Mounted the axle. Installed new nyloc nuts on the frame to attach-o-matic mount bolts 🔩.

 

 

 

 

[ebinmaine 72,603]

As explained in this video the hub was going to be out a hair to far. 

I needed to cut the spacer that the seal is going to ride on.

 

 

I used what I had to get the job done. 

Not exactly neat and clean...

but effective. 

 

 

 

After mounting the wheel on the hub on the axle I found I needed a wheel spacer.  

That's not at all surprising considering these wheels are universal camper or go-kart with a centered backspacing.

 

 

 

 

Here's a trial fit with the wheel on the spacer on the hub. 

 

 

That photo angle is a little misleading on the width. I can't get it too accurate yet but I think the front is going to be around 42", 43" across. The back is about 41".

 

 

[Handy Don 14,060]

19 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

I think the front is going to be around 42", 43" across

With the stock wheels/tires, the track for the swept axle is 42"

[ebinmaine 72,603]

8 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

With the stock wheels/tires, the track for the swept axle is 42"

 

I thought it was around that range somewhere. This definitely looks like it's going to be wider than that by a fair margin.

[Handy Don 14,060]

58 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

I thought it was around that range somewhere. This definitely looks like it's going to be wider than that by a fair margin.

I just happen to have a swept axle with stock tires sitting in my storage area....

[ebinmaine 72,603]

7 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

I just happen to have a swept axle with stock tires sitting in my storage area....

 

Imagine that....

 

[ebinmaine 72,603]

I've had a hankerin'  to see the set of wiiide front tires on this beast but they just didn't quite do it for me.  

 

Well I have a set of 5  x 4.5 narrow wheels with tri ribs. 

Those look good! 

 

This evening I got the test fitted hubs and wheel spacers back off. 

Removed the dry fitted LH spindle. 

 

Got some grease in both spindles and installed them.  

 

I also used a tool I don't recall getting but it's super handy. A Bearing Packer.  

 

 

Also, I did some poking around here on the site because I should get new tie rods. 

I found an old post showing that I'll need to build some heim joint rods. 

The stock C160-8 steering plate won't clear the 520H tie rods. 

I'll check the threads another day and order from McMaster Carr.  

May have been @JAinVA that had that info years ago...

 

 

[ebinmaine 72,603]

Mission this morning is to get the adapter bushings held in place with a little J. B. Weld. 

 

 

 

 

Here's the 2,000 pound rated trailer hubs all set out and ready for installation. 

 

 

 

 

[ebinmaine 72,603]

Bushings are in place. 

 

Here's a wheel installed. 

 

 

 

 

Next project is to build tie rods. 

 

 

[ebinmaine 72,603]

Tie rods done. 

7/16 male/female brass colored from McMaster Carr. 

Center rod is threaded rod medium strength (much better than local hardware stores) 

 

 

Steering wheel held as close to center as my eyecrometer could get. 

 

 

Tie rod installation complete. Awaiting proper lineup.  

 

 

I used a piece of 6' long threaded rod for an "almost straight edge".

I then adjusted each side individually. 

 

I've come out about 3/4" total toe/tow in across the tires.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next is to get a @76c12091520h 2" receiver hitch installed.  

 

 

[AlexR 1,851]

That looks awesome good work!!! 

[ebinmaine 72,603]

Well after an inaugural run yesterday to get some logs outta the forest I've found there are some changes to be made. 

 

On the plus side I really like the stability of the wider & longer wheelbase and ease of steering the tri rib tires. 

 

 

Belt. I've known for awhile there may be an issue with the drive belt. It "slaps." 

Yesterday I tried hauling a heavy load uphill and the belt slips too. There's a bent/kinked spot in the belt from shelf setting over time.  

I may swap another heavy duty spring on and see if it's better before swapping for another belt.  

 

Axle stops. The top of the axle has cast in stop bumps to prevent the axle from twisting too far. These are a LOT bigger than on a standard straight axle. Going through the forest there were several times that one of the front wheels was off the ground. 😬

 

 

Engine..... well.....   several things.  

A. It lacks RPM. Likely fixable. 

B. Carb adjustment is VERY tricky. 

C. Most important... there's a near constant ticking noise. Valve adjustment has been verified correct. Is it a normal noise?? I dunno.  I don't think so. At whatever upper RPM I can get it's very concerning. And I'm nowhere near full 3600 yet.  

Is it a good reason to swap in a Briggs Vanguard 20 HP V twin?  Yes.  

 

 

 

 

 

[kpinnc 14,630]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

Is it a good reason to swap in a Briggs Vanguard 20 HP V twin?  Yes.  

 

 

[Bill D 2,247]

Swap in a K341.

[ebinmaine 72,603]

2 hours ago, Bill D said:

Swap in a K341.

 

An excellent option. 

This particular time I'm leaning towards the Briggs for several reasons. 

I only have one K341 I could use without a rebuild (the one I got from you)  and that one is reserved for Cinnamon Horse C160-8. 

The Briggs wiring is nearly identical to the Tecumseh wiring. 

And I'd like to see what the Briggs Vanguard would be like on a tractor.  

 

 

 

[AlexR 1,851]

If you already have that 20hp vanguard I vote go for it!! 

I doubt you will want to put the time and potentially money into that Tecumseh to get it to run right.

[ebinmaine 72,603]

19 minutes ago, AlexR said:

If you already have that 20hp vanguard I vote go for it!! 

 

I do.  

It's back from the small engine repair shop and in good condition.  

 

 

19 minutes ago, AlexR said:

I doubt you will want to put the time and potentially money into that Tecumseh to get it to run right.

 

I have to admit I'm curious about the Tecumseh. 

But not enough to sink  valve job money in it. 

I'd have a Kohler rebuilt first if I didn't already have the Briggs. 

 

[AlexR 1,851]

34 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

I have to admit I'm curious about the Tecumseh. 

But not enough to sink  valve job money in it. 

I'd have a Kohler rebuilt first if I didn't already have the Briggs. 

Tecumseh's are definitely not the best engines of that era haha. 

From what I understand the Vanguard is one of the best engines Briggs made. 

Kohler's I would say the K series and the Commands are their best work. 

[kpinnc 14,630]

7 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

And I'd like to see what the Briggs Vanguard would be like on a tractor.  

 

One consideration to keep in mind: I only say this because you previously used this tractor pulling a heavy trailer and you're building another larger trailer- you may want to look to put a few extra pounds up front. The Vanguard engines are significantly lighter than a big block Kohler. 

 

I doubt it's enough to change much, but I don't know how heavy a load you plan to move. 

 

That's why my modded 300 series with a Vanguard has front wheel weights, to help keep those wheels on the ground if I have alot of load behind me...

 

[ebinmaine 72,603]

10 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

 

One consideration to keep in mind: I only say this because you previously used this tractor pulling a heavy trailer and you're building another larger trailer- you may want to look to put a few extra pounds up front. 

 

 

10 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

The Vanguard engines are significantly lighter than a big block Kohler. 

 

Definitely. I can lift the Vanguard with one hand. 

 

10 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

I doubt it's enough to change much, but I don't know how heavy a load you plan to move. 

 

 

 

Very heavy. 

 

The plan is to hang this. IIRC it's 115 lbs. plus whatever bracket..

 

 

 

 

 

[kpinnc 14,630]

2 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

The plan is to hang this. IIRC it's 115 lbs. plus whatever bracket..

 

That outta do it! 

 

You've already been thinking about it. Awesome!