Work Horse GT1600 restoration and conversion to Hydro

[Bill D 1,991]

I can't wait for a video of it running.

[SylvanLakeWH 26,101]

4 minutes ago, Bill D said:

I can't wait for a video of it running.

 

[cleat 6,563]

 

I ran the machine yesterday but did not video it.

This is a cold (well, 53 degrees in the shop) startup.

This Briggs runs quieter than any of my other machines, time will tell if it works as well.

Sorry the sound is low it's just how my phone recorded it.

 

[Handy Don 12,568]

After such meticulous restoration, I suspected you might decide to NEVER start it! 

[ebinmaine 68,742]

57 minutes ago, cleat said:

Briggs runs

 

Likely you'll find that Briggs wants little to no choke most of the time. 

The GT1800 we built is the polar opposite of my C160 K341 engines. 

They are VERY resistant to cold starting.   

 

 

 

[cleat 6,563]

This is the seat I am using.

I have this same seat on most of my machines.

 

Seat assembly ready to put together.

 

This is the bottom of the seat as removed from box.

 

Adapter plates bolted to seat.

 

I used these screwdrivers to ensure bolts are very tight.

 

Springs loosely bolted to adapter plates.

They are installed short side down as per manual.

 

Pivot plate assembly bolted to seat springs.

It is at the back of the slots for maximum leg room.

All bolts then tightened.

 

Seat assembly complete.

 

[cleat 6,563]

Here is a quick sketch I did of seat adapter plate.

 

Wheel Horse seat adapters.pdf

 

 

[Bill D 1,991]

2 hours ago, cleat said:

 

I ran the machine yesterday but did not video it.

This is a cold (well, 53 degrees in the shop) startup.

This Briggs runs quieter than any of my other machines, time will tell if it works as well.

Sorry the sound is low it's just how my phone recorded it.

 

Too my ear it sounds great.  You sound a little like Norm MacDonald.  That's a good thing.  Are you both both from the same providence in Canada?

[cleat 6,563]

1 hour ago, Bill D said:

Too my ear it sounds great.  You sound a little like Norm MacDonald.  That's a good thing.  Are you both both from the same providence in Canada?

Sort of.

He was born in Quebec but later moved to Ottawa.

Ottawa is about an hour drive from my house and my daughter is going to college there.

 

[kpinnc 12,743]

16 hours ago, Bill D said:

Too my ear it sounds great. 

 

The old opposed twins of any flavor sound so nice!

 

And it's always good to hear a restored machine running! 

[cleat 6,563]

2 hours ago, kpinnc said:

 

The old opposed twins of any flavor sound so nice!

 

And it's always good to hear a restored machine running! 

I was (and still am a bit) worried about the cheap China carb but so far it seems to be fine.

 

Most of my machines have the opposed Onan engines that I find run really well and sound fantastic but certainly seem louder than this Briggs.

 

But, until I actually get it out and can put a load on it then it's hard to tell for sure.

 

[Bar Nuthin 703]

48 minutes ago, cleat said:

I was (and still am a bit) worried about the cheap China carb but so far it seems to be fine.

If it's any consolation, I've had good results on a few things I've used them on. Hard to ignore the cost difference and the simplicity of a bolt-on solution.

[cleat 6,563]

Receiver hitch ready to install.

I made this up a few years ago out of 2" angle and tubing with a 2" receiver tube welded on.

 

Note how the 2" angle on the left side has around 1/4" taken off the top for oil filter clearance.

 

Receiver hitch just sitting on rear axle and held level with a jack stand.

This will make installation much easier.

 

Receiver hitch installed.

 

[kpinnc 12,743]

2 hours ago, cleat said:

I was (and still am a bit) worried about the cheap China carb but so far it seems to be fine.

 

 

I have a few China carbs and they have worked great. I guess my luck is better than most. 

[cleat 6,563]

2 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

 

I have a few China carbs and they have worked great. I guess my luck is better than most. 

 

There are no adjustment needles on this China carb but it seems to work well out of the box.

 

[ML3 1,346]

12 minutes ago, cleat said:

 

There are no adjustment needles on this China carb but it seems to work well out of the box.

 

I decided to try a China made carb on my C105. It's worked fine & barely had to adjust it. Sold tractor w/confidence but I did give the Amish guy that bought it the original carb & told him it would need overhauled. Put another one on my 604 it worked great & guy I sold that tractor to stays in touch & uses it all the time. Lastly, I put one on the 654 & again it's been fine. Use the 654 for most all my mowing & snow plowing so it's my go to work tractor. Sad to say that the China carbs are cheaper than an overhaul kit. Also it's getting harder to see when rebuilding 🙄. Maybe I'll get to actually overhauling my original carbs???? Or is it just easier to buy another $18 carb? 🤷

[cleat 6,563]

Hood ready to install.

 

Hood mounting hardware ready to install.

 

Towel placed on console for protection.

 

Hood hinge ready to sit hood on.

 

Hood bolted on and aligned.

 

[cleat 6,563]

Headlight wiring harness made up and installed.

 

I ran the headlight wire with the heavy wire to the starter as that puts it roughly where it needs to be.

Headlights are grounded to an engine mounting bolt.

 

Headlights on, engine off.

 

[c-series don 9,005]

I’ve said it before but I have to say it again, @cleat your attention to detail is second to none!👍🏻

[Bar Nuthin 703]

I feel like we're getting closer to decals every day! 

[Easton Rich 403]

It looks amazing. Your attention to detail is insane

[ebinmaine 68,742]

Excellent work Cleat. 👏 

[MainelyWheelhorse 601]

Nice work @cleat, it’s coming along nicely.

[cleat 6,563]

Rear fender and seat assembly ready to install.

 

Rear fender and seat hardware ready to install.

 

Rear fender installed.

 

Seat just sitting on fender with towel for protection.

 

Seat bolted on.

 

Gas lift used to hold seat up.

 

Gas lift ready to install.

 

Gas lift installed.

 

[cleat 6,563]

Fender protectors and double sided tape used to attach them.

These are hard plastic discs that came stuck on valve gasket surface to protect them at a job a few years ago.

 

These protectors are exactly 2" so I used a hole punch to trim off excess tape.

 

One protector installed.

 

Both protectors installed.

 

Rubber bumpers under seat pivot plate.

 

Seat now fully installed.

 

Tail lights on.