Mr.Kelly Tribute Tractor C-161 Twin Restoration

[TonyToro Jr. 1,387]

As many of you may remember last fall I got this tractor from the guy I work for neighbor, His name was Richard Kelly. He was a big time wheelhorse guy. We got a few of his tractors a few years ago that weren’t being used. But he was still using his C-161 to mow his yard. Then last July he passed away and before he did he said to me that I could have his tractor. So last fall I picked this up. He put a predator 420 in it for some reason. And I wanted to make it original so, I searched a little and found someone that had one and I got another C-161 from a more then generous Wheelhorse owner. So I am going to make both tractors into one. 
 

It has a sunstrand transmission. When got it the tractor ran great and everything worked perfect and no weird noises or anything. Now that it sat all winter the engine wouldn’t start so I figured it’s time to start this project. 
First I have some questions. On the rear of the transmission I saw it has this like output shaft thing. It doesn’t turn. But I was wondering what it did. I have a picture I will upload maybe someone will know? I got found the model number and was wondering what year it was. Maybe someone can decode it. 
I will try and post every time a do something or get some parts for it 

Thanks for reading!

[TonyToro Jr. 1,387]

Day 1:

 

Today was really just a strip down day to be able to see everything and get closer to paint. I took the hood, fenders, gas tank, floor boards, mower deck, and mounting brackets off today. And I also took out the predator engine.

[ebinmaine 67,228]

Like the story.  

I'll be following along.  

[c-series don 8,655]

I have the same tractor, I inherited it from my step grandfather. He’s the guy that introduced me to Wheel Horse tractors around 1984. I’m thinking down the road it could be my next restoration? Here’s a not so great picture of it in the upper right corner. I’ll be following along with your restoration 👍🏻

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,031]

Added your serial to the file. Let me know if I have read the numbers correctly.

Strange twist - We have serials for the 1978 model that are higher than yours with the same build date. Model 81-16BS01

 

[Pullstart 62,768]

Very cool @TonyToro Jr.!  I never noticed that unique headlight lens on that model.  

[bds1984 1,428]

11 hours ago, Pullstart said:

Very cool @TonyToro Jr.!  I never noticed that unique headlight lens on that model.  

I think that may be unique to the C161 twin models.  There was one running around at the tractor show at the Gilmore Museum today.

[TonyToro Jr. 1,387]

3 minutes ago, bds1984 said:

I think that may be unique to the C161 twin models.  There was one running around at the tractor show at the Gilmore Museum today.

Yes I think it is. But, it might be close to what the Electric WHs have maybe @SylvanLakeWH would know?

[bds1984 1,428]

Just now, TonyToro Jr. said:

Yes I think it is. But, it might be close to what the Electric WHs have maybe @SylvanLakeWH would know?

 

It probably is, I've never seen an E141 in person.  There are some real oddities in the late 70s through early 80s.  

[TonyToro Jr. 1,387]

1 minute ago, bds1984 said:

  There are some real oddities in the late 70s through early 80s.  

That’s for sure!

[SylvanLakeWH 25,486]

48 minutes ago, TonyToro Jr. said:

Yes I think it is. But, it might be close to what the Electric WHs have maybe @SylvanLakeWH would know?

The fiberglass hood models all had a unique lens. The E-141 electrics were the same as some of the c-161's as i understood... 

 

Here's what they look like:

 

[TonyToro Jr. 1,387]

Day 2:

 

Today was just another of a strip down day. I took off the fuel tank mounts, left hand floor board and that side cover, front attach o matic, and I took the whole steering column and dash board all out. Tommorow should be another day to work on it too. 

[TonyToro Jr. 1,387]

Day 3:

Sorry didn’t post anything the last week we were in NJ for vacation so didn’t get to do anything.

 

Today before it got too hot out towed up the tractor a doused it in degreaser and pressure washed it. Blasted all the loose paint off and all the years of grease and grime. Also took off the mid attach o matic and rear fender mount, lift cable and tube, and a belt guide. 
 

Questions:

When I towed up the tractor I had the disengage lever pulled for the transmission but one tire was going forward and one was going backward why is that?

Where could I get the part number for the hydro filter?

It has a Napa Gold filter on it now but the number is worn away.

 

[c-series don 8,655]

Circled in red is the tow valve. That should be opened for towing, using a 5/16” wrench. Generally if it hasn’t been opened in a long time or ever it can be a challenge. I would soak it with any and all penetrating oil you can think of. Also would not use heat. As it has been said before, it took years to get stuck so it’s not going to get unstuck in minutes.

 Once I bought a C-161 Automatic not running from a guy who kept stating it’s as is. He said it over and over to me, as is and that he got it from his uncle. I bought it because it was an unmolested original condition tractor. When I got it home and running it would barely move. My first thought was that the transmission was shot, but then I remembered the tow valve. I tightened it up and off it went! I really think the guy I bought it from had it running but it didn’t move so he thought the same thing I did originally. This was years ago and it still works fine. 

[Moparfanforever 844]

And it is a pain to get to with the fender pan on.

[TonyToro Jr. 1,387]

Thanks for the help! Did what you said and now it roles good. Didn’t even have to use and penetrating oil or anything 

[ebinmaine 67,228]

1 hour ago, TonyToro Jr. said:

Thanks for the help! Did what you said and now it roles good. Didn’t even have to use and penetrating oil or anything 

 

THAT....is excellent.  

 

[c-series don 8,655]

Spray it anyway! So it will continue to work!! 

[TonyToro Jr. 1,387]

8 minutes ago, c-series don said:

Spray it anyway! So it will continue to work!! 

Will do!

[TonyToro Jr. 1,387]

Got some parts in today. I got 4 new tires two rear 23/10.5/12 ags and two front 16/6.5/8 turf tires. Got 2 adjustable tie rods. And a gas cap.

[ebinmaine 67,228]

8 hours ago, TonyToro Jr. said:

new tires two rear 23/10.5/12 ags

 

What brand did you decide to use?

[TonyToro Jr. 1,387]

2 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

What brand did you decide to use?

I got the Deestone 23/10.5/12 6 ply right off of Amazon.

I was also going to get the Cheng Shins like what we have on the pulling tractors but, those tires really don’t have aggressive bars for moving slow so I went for these.

[Bill D 1,905]

On 7/23/2024 at 8:30 PM, TonyToro Jr. said:

Got some parts in today. I got 4 new tires two rear 23/10.5/12 ags and two front 16/6.5/8 turf tires. Got 2 adjustable tie rods. And a gas cap.

I like those tie rods.  Do you have a link?

[TonyToro Jr. 1,387]

On 7/28/2024 at 12:07 PM, Bill D said:

I like those tie rods.  Do you have a link?

So I would, but, I tried to put the tie rods on today but they would not fit. They were like 1/2 an inch to long. I’ve been searching for different ones once I find them I’ll give it to you.

[TonyToro Jr. 1,387]

Day 4:

Got a lot done today. Took the front end off, shaker plate mounts, and the rest of the steering parts. Sanded the front half of the frame down and taped some things off and started the painting process! And I sanded down the things I took off today and got them all painted.