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No this is not a drinking story. Although at times it may have been enough to lead a guy to drinking. Just as my '05 Dodge Dakota was nearing 200k miles it started lacking power and started drinking coolant. The coolant issue was not extreme so I kept limping it along hoping for work schedule to slow down a bit before I addressed the problem. 6 ten hour days don't leave much time to address such an issue on my daily driver. Well like most things that you try to ignore, this came back to bite me. One day when I was leaving work the truck started running really rough. I was able to limp it home but it was very evident that it was time for the ol' girl to get some attention. With it now having over 200k on the odometer, I started thinking about some options. 1- Jack up the radiator cap & put a new truck under it. 2- Put a re-man engine in it. 3- Do a tear down to find the issue and fix it. I really liked option #1 but that was not in the cards financially. Before deciding on option #2 I figured that I should investigate to see what the issue was. After pulling the valve covers and the intake off I found out why it started running so rough. One of the lifters had collapsed causing the rocker arm on cylinder 7 to be sent for a ride. I also figured out that it was burning coolant on cylinder 8. At this point I figured a set of head gaskets would pretty much cure the coolant issue. With aluminum heads a re-surfacing is usually in order when replacing head gaskets & well might just as well do a vale job right away. To save time waiting for a machine shop to rework my heads I decided to order a set of re-man heads & hopefully be able to turn the truck around in a couple of weeks. Ordered a head gasket set & some new head bolts The heads I ordered from Cylinder Heads International and tore the heads off with the engine still in the the truck. During this process I noticed an oil leak under my right hand tire. Turns out that the rack & pinion was leaking. As long as I had to replace the rack I also went through the rest of the front end with new ball joints & tie rod ends. I Started with the head swap on a Saturday morning and by Sunday morning I had the engine back to this point. By early afternoon it was all put together and ready for a test spin. The results were anything but satisfactory. The truck ran worse than before plus it now leaked oil from the right hand head. Back in the shop it went for investigation. I pulled the valve covers off and preformed a leak down test on each cylinder. What I found was that cyl #1 had about 80% leakage through the intake valve & cyl #6 had 60% leakage through the intake. A few of the other cylinders also had leakage through the valves and I also noticed some leakage past the rings. There were a few other things about the heads that I was not exactly pleased with as well. Well...the heads had to come back off, truck is already down, so I might just as well take care of the leakage past the rings. So on to round two. I contacted CHI to see if they would warranty the heads. They were very willing to warranty the heads & sent me a replacement set before they inspected the first set that they had sent me. I dropped the block & crank off at my local machinist on a Monday for the machine work on them while I was waiting for the replacement heads. My machinist called me the next day stating that there was no reason to over bore the engine, it only needed to have the cylinders re-scuffed and that the crank only needed to be polished. Not bad for having just over 200k miles on it. He gave me the measurements of the main bearing journals so that I could order the correct size main bearings. Note the Mopar 4.7L engine has 3 grades of cranks - A,B,&C. The "B" crank is considered standard size while the "A" crank is .0004 under size and the "C" crank is .0004 over size. Given the tight tolerances on the engine Mopar produces select size bearings for this engine. The machine work on the block and crank was done by Thursday the same week. The following week the new heads showed up. They looked much better than the first set that they sent. Unfortunately the new gasket and head bolts did not show. Apparently Partsology's next day delivery is not as advertised. After watching my order sit in "processing" for over 3 business day's I was getting a bit frustrated so I gave them a call. Was told my parts would be out that day. Then came the end of day 4 and my order was still listed as processing. At this point I ordered parts from Engine Tech, then called Partsology the next morning and asked them if my order had shipped. My answer was "No" so I told them to cancel the order & refund the money that they had already removed from my account. Funny - They removed money from my account the day that I made the order, yet it took them 4 business days to put it back into my account. Lets just say that they did not earn a return customer. Finally the weekend before Christmas I had everything I needed to put the engine back together. On Saturday morning I started with a bare block. All of the main bearings were installed and clearance measured using a plastigage. This process was used for the rod bearings as well. Just wanted to make sure that all tolerances were with in spec. Put together, take apart, put together, tedious but this way I know for sure. Fit the rings and finally it can start going back together to stay. Below is where I called it a day on Saturday. Sunday morning it was back at it. Before lunch time the engine was closer to the finish line. I preformed a cylinder leakage test while it was still on the engine stand and every thing checked out as it should, minimal leakage and nothing leaking past the valves. My friend Joel took some pictures while I was dropping the engine back in. Around 7:00pm the engine was bolted in, accessories all back in place and ready for a test drive. It ran smooth but did not seem to have much power in the 2000 to 3500 RPM range. Plus it did not want to shift when it should. Mon. after work I did a cylinder leakage test and a compression test. Again all checked out good. Tues. while I was at work I had another thought to try, I wondered if the catalytic converter was plugged . To test my theory that night, I dropped the "Y" pipe down from the manifolds and took the truck for a drive. Other than sounding like a demo derby car, it ran and shifted like a brand new truck. I was quite happy to know that I would not be tearing the engine down again. After pricing new cats/ Y pipe I was a little less happy but they definitely had to be changed. Ordered the new cats that night with an expected delivery of Dec 29. Not as soon as I would have liked but what could I do. Next day I received notice from FedEx that it would be delivered on Dec.24. Well, Dec 24th came & went and no package. It did how ever show up on my porch by noon Dec.26th After installing the new cats the test drive was very satisfying. Since then, I have put around 500 miles on the truck and life is good so far. Thanks for reading through my trials & tribulations.

Saw this ad for an 854 today with a sweet antenna

I have a gravel drive and have my 953 weighted down with Ed Dog chains on the rear. Heavy front nose with wheel weights, and about 120lbs. a side with the inside rear weights. When the tractor stops moving forward the tires just keep digging until I start smelling Moo Goo Gai Pan and I push the clutch in!

This is 1-3 inches of snow...according to guys who get paid for wrong predictions....By my math it is 8.5 inches.... Cleared 98% with the Charger 12 and steel chains no problems, all tye way down to teh barn. Have another charger set up with rubber chains and plastic plow edge for the pavers in front of the garage. She only has wheel weights 65lb each and did not do well on the pavers as there was sleet underneath. Wouldn't push much and had wheel spin just starting up not even pushing yet. Rubber chains on icy surface not so good. I know some members use them but they have bunches of weights on the stern. Can't really justify the $$$ for a hundred pounds of weight to plow 50 feet.

After a self-imposed lockdown of a month by the two families, my son and his family spent 11 days together with us. Gave me some shop time with my 5yo grandson and this was what we came up with. He drew plans, including a "belly mower" and a trailer and we raided the scrap lumber bin together--his new favorite tool is the drill press with a hole saw for making wheels. We attached the mower with a bit of metal sheet glued to the tractor and a magnet embedded in the mower. He's delighted that "it looks just like our tractor at camp!" He has drawings for more implements we can make the next time he comes. I'm looking forward to that already.

Sorry Ebinmaine, I couldnt load pics on the messenger, here is the new WH I got for $20.....and the how I fixed the snow blower wheel problem by adding adjustable skies. Ive since straightened the auger and when I get some time Im going to tweek the auger so it fires even wet snow much further while still running at 3600rpm.

When a $6 item makes ya happy, it’s time for a self evaluation 😂 IMG_9199.mp4

Being healthy and happy, even the poorest people are rich. ...... ...If they have a WH of course!

Don’t use chains or supplemental weight. I do three flat drives each storm - 2 asphalt and one concrete - and never any issues... standard turfs. Typical Michigan slop... snow to sleet... My set up:

I put my ex-wife on the back hitch, work is done in no time! srry for the stupid joke

With all the trials and tribulations, you've come out on the positive side.

I have never had either tri-ribs or ags on a Wheel Horse. My PK has them but no other GT. So now I have very nice tri-ribs and big ags for one of my GTs. But I like turfs with chains for serious traction in snow and dirt and I don't want tri-ribs or ags on the lawn for mowing. I have a moldboard plow but I now have mostly raised beds in the garden. Not sure I'll even use my WH tiller now. Always wanted a set and now that I have them, and I'm very pleased, but it seems I don't know what to do with them! Yard tractor with cart and go easy in the yard? It's a very odd predicament for me...

no rubber chains no steel chains no problem smh

Problem solver Dennis......PM me for a shipping address.

Plastic truck bedliners are the bomb nowadays. Nice and light but you need kids to offset the wind.

I've tried to listen to the radio a few times when cutting grass - especially because I can be on the tractor for 3 hours - but the quality of my headphones was lacking ... and I preferred instead to listen to the Kohler or Onan 'broadcast'

Glad someone brings these things up because here we complain about everything in our lives and are never happy with anything regardless of any current situation. We need to hear it so we appreciate how good we have it and how foolish we are when we complain.

I could answer that but let's not get political.

Don't forget I have a Paint Department person!!!

Sand, mud, snow or rock A Wheel Horse just does not care The best tractor brand

Going to be adding a pair of LED lights to my Lawn Ranger, and was looking at some options at the local TSC store this weekend. Was looking at the 3 shown below, as they were nice and small and seemed to have some decent power for their size. They all claim to be waterproof and "outdoor rated". Curious if anybody has used these (or at least this brand) and had good luck. Or if there are any other options, I'm all ears. Also, this is going on a "resto-mod" Lawn Ranger, so it doesn't have to match the exact look of the vintage incandescent lights that WH use to offer. Traveller 20 Watt LED Light 560 claimed lumens No harness or wiring Cost: $35 Traveller 2" Work Light (20 Watts) 560 claimed lumens Interchangeable colored bezel rings (Green, Silver, Black, Red, Blue) No Harness or wiring Cost: $50 Traveller 3" Work Light (20 Watts) 760 claimed lumens Wiring harness, switch, and fuse included Cost: $70

Back in the day my walkman met it's end with the mower deck

I get it, I’m not one to fixate on one thing for long. I’ve often felt this is a curse. Not so. I’ve experienced so many different things at a high level and moved to the next interest that I feel blessed. There are plenty of people who will cherish the prizes you’ve accumulated and you can turn your attention to whatever interests you today. Win, win!

Bombardier and ARPS. I forget which is mine but I think ARPS. They really look neat but I wonder about steering and if perhaps that's why I heard about them throwing tracks. Maybe sharp turns aren't wise... Oh! Not my tractor or tracks!

My family it was the red Sox on the radio all summer, no Yankee fan comments about the fall. My grand parents had them on in the barn doing chores, on the truck radio haying, a transistor radio always available. My mother's side,my father never missed a game,even when they were on the west coast. I still like the radio broadcast, brings back good memories. My kind of option! They all passed before 2004, I know off topic just brought back memories.

Best plow machine I had was a Yamaha Rhino with a 6 foot blade. It was a beast. I would go plow the neighborhood with lightning precision. Really did not need it and it was going to get me trouble when back in my earlier day would plow for booze. Sold it when Uncle Arthur moved in and couldn't take the jostling. After a good long ride I felt like a pinata my joints hurt so bad.

Eric I've had new roller chain in a box for years now, even before I saw John's invention and I still slide all over! Oh! You are suggesting that I actually install the chain? Part of my problem is that since joining this forum I now know more than I have time to implement! Terrible problem! If I quit buying tractors maybe I would have time to fix one! (Gads, please don't let the woman of the household know I said that!) What we say here stays here doesn't it?

Winter morning peace Horses resting quietly What fun chores await?

Couple of things to keep in mind about tires and traction, the older the rubber the harder they are not allowing flex to "bite" especially when cold, along with that is 2 and 4 ply tires are better for traction than 6 ply for the same reasons, doesn't matter turf, AG, or ribbed treads, same goes with vehicles say you have a car with 10k miles on the tires but are 5-6 years old won't grip the pavement wet or dry like the same tire with 15k miles and only a year or so old. And snow tire grip more than all seasons because of the "compounds" they are made of not to wear long but to bite for the few months they are designed to be used.

You don't want these! Got yellow rims!

It's properly called a suicide clutch with a jockey shift.... very popular mod on early Harleys and factory on very earlies ... @Achto knows! Suicide clutch - Wikipedia

I have some thoughts on this too. In the way past my family was an Ariens dealer and we sold a lot of rear engine riders. In the begging they had a steering bar like this. Then a lot of the manufacturers and Ariens thought these riders would look more sporty if they had a steering wheels. It was true that they looked better, but customers that traded from the swing bar to the steering wheel type soon discovered that there was now a lot of steering! In most cases we steer our lawn equipment more than our vehicles. On lawn mowers we steer around trees, fences and all kinds of obstacles, on cars it's most just slight adjustments and turns. The swing bar was much easier to just move back and forth! That's my C-85

Five Fronts

Option 1 ( jack up the radiator cap & put a new truck under it ) is a saying that I learned from my dad years ago. Not sure where it originated. As for wheels in the mean time, Gretel is working from home so I was able to drive her Jeep. It's a nice vehicle but it sure feels good to have my truck back.

You are one talented man, but I think you already know that. Very persistent and meticulous. Amazing you actually have time for an adult beverage every now and then. Great job Dan

That is the optional and highly recommended seat warmer, Wheel Horse Part Number Warm Kitty.

Good to read, that it comes finally to that good end. On older Car’s or Trucks troubles can be mostly things you don‘t have in plan. if you be in a need for the Car / Truck, the Work can be sometimes a pain, but after it‘s fixed and some time is passing, the story turns to good and you forget all the troubles and problems you had. Independent of any financial Status, i still preferr to run the Older Cars still as long as there be worth to fix them. In my opinion that is more sustainable than allway‘s buy new. 👍

This is my home made plow set up on little red Fred. Quite pleased with the way it worked on what was really quite a substantial snow fall for us in the UK 🇬🇧

I remember those !... We had great toys as kids ! Now everything is hi- tech/ video...we had hands on...that's why we fix stuff ourselves, only paying someone else to do it when absolutely necessary...

I saw the pic. If you can't grab what's there you will need to get creative to remove it. A large easy-out to fit in that hole Hammer and Chisel to split it Cut it - use a vacuum to catch the dust pieces heat it - warm it until it's pliable and pry it out

I thought that I would post a follow-up since it's been some time since Mrs. M's surgery. About two weeks after she got home, she developed breathing problems. A CT scan showed pulmonary embolisms in both lungs. No one would explain how they got there. Surgeon said not from his surgery, anesthesiologist said not from his anesthesia, hospital said not from the blood transfusion, GP said maybe she had Covid before the surgery, but an antibody test was negative. So we just don't know. Anyway, a course of Xarelto (blood thinner) for 6 weeks, then switched to warfarin. Now, the breathing is back to almost normal, and she has surpassed me as far as her back is concerned. She claims that if she didn't know she'd had surgery, she would never know she'd had back problems. We walk every day and walked 2 miles yesterday uphill without any issues. At least something is going right @squonk as long as there is a Wheel Horse show this year, the cookie bars are not in jeopardy.

First let me say you guys have a great forum here, This RJ-58 has been in my family all its life. My grandfathers brother in-law bought it new, sold it to my grandfather after about 5yrs, then my Dad got it a few years later, then it was given to me about 30 yrs ago. Motor has been rebuilt once and transmission has had all new gears and bearing replaced. This little tractor has been worked all its life till about 10yrs ago, when I got a 4wheeler to plow snow with, at which time I set it in the back corner of my garage until a few days ago. I have the dozer blade for it, as well as the mower deck. I also collect antique gas engines, so my son in his younger years took it to shows to ride around and show it, but that was about 25 yrs ago. Over the years the fenders have been misplaced, they were taken off because the tire chains caught on them. Everything is original on tractor except the recoil, I think I still have the Fairbanks Morse one that was on it, and the lift cable to hitch has been replaced with a solid mount with a weld on ball for pulling a trailer. I as of yet can't read the serial number, I will be working on trying to see if I can read it. But its time for me to restore this thing, back to its former glory. So you guys will see me in here asking questions and posting pics of the progress. Thanks in advance.

But what I find amusing is how most on here knock AG (lug) tires in snow, then praise the rubber chains but this little snippet is directly from the rubber chains web site... Things that make you go hhmmmm....

Do we suppose that antenna meant that it had a radio directly attached to it at some point? Or is that more like a forward pointing hard mounted joust machine?

My primary plow gets the job done on gravel, dirt even sod, uphill and downhill. 67 lb weights on each wheel 75 on the rear hitch 40 on the front. The zigzag chains bite constantly and ride smoothly. But she will leave scuff marks on the pavers.

Not all black hoods are fiberglass... not saying you’re wrong about Jim’s tractor... just a reminder that they had steel ones too.

It's amazing, and good to hear, you got fairly quick with shipping on parts. Especially with holidays and covid stuff all thrown in. Sent some stuff to other members weeks ago and they still haven't gotten it. I would have went with plan A but I am nowhere near the mechanic and engine builder you are! Glad to know you got the oil pan leak fixed too, wasn't sure if I should just skip the seal coating on my driveway this year or just start my own oil field... You should have a rig all set now to haul tractors to shows, and speaking of tractors hopefully now that this project and the holidays are over time to get down to some tractor projects! I kinda miss my shop time at mom's and red paint boogers!

Yuppers I remeber, but I dont think it took that long actually, If I remeber correctly ebinmaine we did it through the postoffice. I think it took a couple weeks. Figuring out how and what way to ship was the other couple of weeks. But remeber right now we have closed boarders so I wouldnt even try to cross boarder. Plus it being holiday season all shipping will be pritty slow, and then to add how many are now online shopping because of covid Im going to bet everything is back logged. I think the way ebinmaine sent it was probably the best way, really was no hassle except you have to go to the post office as opposed to having it picked up at your door when shipping to whom ever. The cost was pritty good too, or at least Id say avg when it came to shipping.

Lucky kid...! Lucky Grandpa...! Great job!!!

I have some good stuff, but some junk too. I think they’re magnets for each other. It’s probably debatable whether selling photocopies is legal or is ok to do. Toro doesn’t seem to have a history of enforcing copyrights and I would expect many/most of them have expired, but I doubt the sellers really did any research before cranking up their Xerox machines. Sellers who are peddling originals deserve to get a good price for them since it is a ton of work to sort, protect, list, sell, and ship this stuff. I’m not sure I’m going to put that much work into It. I hadn’t heard of the gttalk website. Interesting. my internet exposure is pretty limited. I look at this site periodically and some fishing, camping, and woodworking things. But not very regularly on any of them. I kind of go in spurts where I might look at this site daily for a week then not come back for a month or more. I know there are more outlets to sell stuff than just here, but there are also a lot of additional hassles to absorb by posting on Craigslist, facebook, etc. so I plan to focus here. This is a good group of people. I might move some stuff to ebay, but they’ve made it a less pleasant place to do business as a seller so that will be a secondary or tertiary route. it’s taken me a long time to accumulate what I have. This started in the early 90’s for me when I bought my 500 special. It didn’t get here overnight, so it’s not likely to leave here overnight either. I’ll keep a few bits and pieces but the bulk needs to see the light of day elsewhere. thanks for the input. Steve