Work Horse GT1600 restoration and conversion to Hydro

[c-series don 8,650]

As others have said, this is not looking like a winter project! It’s looking more like summer project! Please slow down with all the progress, as it’s putting mounting pressure on me to get that crankshaft pulley to you 😂😂 When I saw that you painted even the little e-clips I thought to myself “man, this guy is as crazy as me!” Just can’t do it half ass, just can’t. Period. 

[cleat 5,771]

1 hour ago, c-series don said:

As others have said, this is not looking like a winter project! It’s looking more like summer project! Please slow down with all the progress, as it’s putting mounting pressure on me to get that crankshaft pulley to you 😂😂 When I saw that you painted even the little e-clips I thought to myself “man, this guy is as crazy as me!” Just can’t do it half ass, just can’t. Period. 

Yes, I am painting every little piece and bead blasting what I can.

That makes it take as long as possible and of course will make the final product better.

 

I am trying to straighten the engine air duct the best I can.

If you have one in good shape that would be awesome.

 

Don't worry, there is still a long way to go.

 

[cleat 5,771]

Flywheel painted.

 

Engine during cleaning.

Soaked with degreaser.

 

 

Engine cleaned up ready for more disassembly.

 

Starter as removed after engine cleaning.

 

 

Edited June 11 by cleat

[cleat 5,771]

Pulled head back off after engine degreasing.

 

Pulled exhaust valve.

 

Pulled intake valve.

 

Both valves now pulled.

 

Lapped intake valve and set valve clearance.

 

This is the lapping compound and valve spring compressor used.

 

Piston and block cleaned.

Valves both installed

 

New intake valve seal installed.

 

 

 

Edited June 12 by cleat

[kpinnc 11,866]

1 hour ago, cleat said:

Piston and block cleaned.

 

As usual- beautiful work! 

[Bill D 1,900]

Nice work.  Are you going to open up the engine and check for wear on the pin holding the crank gear to the crank shaft?  I saw a video on YouTube where the gear was moving on the crank shaft due to the crank pin being worn almost in half.  

[cleat 5,771]

13 minutes ago, Bill D said:

Nice work.  Are you going to open up the engine and check for wear on the pin holding the crank gear to the crank shaft?  I saw a video on YouTube where the gear was moving on the crank shaft due to the crank pin being worn almost in half.  

I'm not sure.

Likely the OCD will kick in and I will.

End play is at the high end as well so I could fix that at the same time.

[cleat 5,771]

Starter painted.

I did not open it up as it was working fine.

 

 

[Bill D 1,900]

51 minutes ago, cleat said:

Starter painted.

I did not open it up as it was working fine.

 

 

FYI, there are NOS 18 HP Briggs opposed twins for sale on eBay right now.  Two different models from the same seller.  About $43 difference between the two.

 

The same seller (small engines for less) has new 22x7.50-12 wheel and tire combos for sale.  They look to be on Wheel Horse rims.

[cleat 5,771]

Thanks for the info.

I won't spend that much right now unless my engine fails.

Hopefully it doesn't. 

[cleat 5,771]

Air guide frame painted

 

Engine block painted.

 

Valve covers cleaned out using brake cleaner until screens looked clean and discs moved freely.

Fly might be getting high from the fumes.

 

[Easton Rich 251]

12 hours ago, cleat said:

Air guide frame painted

 

Engine block painted.

 

Valve covers cleaned out using brake cleaner until screens looked clean and discs moved freely.

Fly might be getting high from the fumes.

 

Fly don’t know what’s happening to him but he likes it

[cleat 5,771]

Masking removed from engine.

All bolt holes tapped out.

Head bolts, valve cover bolts, and alternator bolts cleaned up and painted.

 

Heads degreased and washed.

 

[cleat 5,771]

Valve covers painted.

 

[cleat 5,771]

Decided to try soda blasting the heads clean.

This is the home made soda blaster built from a blow gun and a piece of hose.

 

I just used old expired baking soda.

 

Pressure used. Around 50 PSI

 

Soda blast work area.

 

One head complete.

 

Both heads complete.

It took both boxes that were around 3/4 full each.

 

Wire brushed the inside of the heads.

 

[cleat 5,771]

Heads sanded flat.

Cyl #1 head was fairly flat and did not rock around on block.

 

Cyl #2 head rocked on the block and took a lot of sanding to sit flat and also to get an even finish when sanding.

Sits and looks good now.

 

[cleat 5,771]

Heads loosely installed onto block as I don't have gaskets yet.

 

[cleat 5,771]

Starter installed and torqued.

 

Valve covers loosely installed with no gaskets.

 

[cleat 5,771]

Frame wire brushed and sanded.

 

 

Frame primed.

 

 

[cleat 5,771]

Frame painted.

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,188]

On 6/15/2024 at 10:33 AM, cleat said:

Decided to try soda blasting the heads clean.

This is the home made soda blaster built from a blow gun and a piece of hose.

 

 

Is that as ridiculously simple as it looks?

[cleat 5,771]

Yes, it worked well for a couple of small parts.

Just had to keep wiggling the black hose around in the baking soda to keep it flowing.

Edited June 17 by cleat

[cleat 5,771]

Blower housing and static guard as removed.

 

Blower housing and static guard washed.

 

[cleat 5,771]

Blower housing and static guard bead blasted, primed and painted.

It is currently 30 with a heat index of 40 degrees C (86 with a heat index of 104 degrees F) and we are not used to that here so it makes work a little harder.

Good thing is the paint dries quick.

 

 

[cleat 5,771]

Blower housing and static guard painted semi-gloss black.

Not the best pictures, I will get better ones when the paint dries more.

 

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