300/400 frame with mid 70s sheet metal?

[ebinmaine 67,766]

I'm considering a build that would utilize a 312-8 frame and 8 speed powered by a Magnum 12 HP engine. 

 

The front axle would be a splayed front from a 520H along with the Gear Reduction Steering. 

 

 

Purely from an aesthetics standpoint  I'd rather see the mid 70s C Series hood and steering tower. 

The rear would be a 1976 + up fender and seat pan that doesn't tilt. 

Fuel tank under the seat like the later models. 

 

I know the Magnum engines are a hair taller than a K Series. From reading @Docwheelhorse posts and others, I believe the only hindrance would be the front hood height. That could be rectified by using a taller hood hinge. Easy to make by copying one of my 1974 C160-8 Tecumseh engine tractors. 

 

Anything else to account for? 

 

 

[AlexR 629]

That definitely sounds like a cool build!! 

Out of curiosity what is the difference with the 312 frame vs a 70's C frame?

[ebinmaine 67,766]

7 minutes ago, AlexR said:

That definitely sounds like a cool build!! 

Out of curiosity what is the difference with the 312 frame vs a 70's C frame?

 

The biggest thing for me is that the "newer" frames have a second support rod under the foot steps. 

Mid 70s B & C Series and all the older models only have a rod at the front of the step where the pedals attach. 

Later ones have an additional brace that holds the rear of the step.  

[Goldnboy 927]

On my recent 74 C120 that i Swapped a Magnum 12 into the sheet metal fit fine. 

 

The muffler from the 300/400 series doesn't work well i tried to raise the front hood 2 inches and that didn't help it has something to do with the hood width..

I went with the round pancake muffler and have no regrets. 

[WHGuy413 2,716]

I think that sounds like a cool build. I can’t wait to see your progress.

[ebinmaine 67,766]

1 hour ago, WHGuy413 said:

I think that sounds like a cool build. I can’t wait to see your progress.

 

Knowing me ....... you'll need a LOT of patience.   

 

 

[Bill D 1,927]

24 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

Knowing me ....... you'll need a LOT of patience.   

 

 

Whatever happened to the collosal build?

[ebinmaine 67,766]

10 minutes ago, Bill D said:

Whatever happened to the collosal build?

 

Still there. Patiently waiting for me.  

 

As we get closer to using the New Workshop Space we get closer to being able to go back to projects I've set aside. 

 

 

[WHGuy413 2,716]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

 

Knowing me ....... you'll need a LOT of patience.   

 

 

Haha that’s how it goes with me some times too. No worries from the peanut gallery here. 

[953 nut 55,393]

                                                                            

[Lee1977 6,682]

The 500 has the same frame as the 300/400 all were super seated to 78-2680. If you can find a 78 model metal rear fender they had the hole for the gas tank. Same style as the older C- series.

You could make the foot pads stronger by spot welding a 3/8" rod under it like I did on my 312-8. I had to beat mine flat first.

The magnum blocks are the same, put a K-series engine cover on it and you won't need to raise the hood. It's just the magnum cover that will be in the way of the hood.

Use an old C-series hood stand will make it easer to change equipment that uses the lift.

 

Edited Friday at 02:58 AM by Lee1977

[ebinmaine 67,766]

12 minutes ago, Lee1977 said:

The 500 has the same frame as the 300/400 all were super seated to 78-2680.

 

 

Excellent. Thanks! 

 

 

12 minutes ago, Lee1977 said:

If you can find a 78 model metal rear fender they had the hole for the gas tank. Same style as the older C- series.

 

I do actually have one of those here! 

The parts chassis  @PWL216  dropped off the other day has a decent fender. 

 

 

12 minutes ago, Lee1977 said:

You could make the foot pads stronger by spot welding a 3/8" rod under it 

 

Neat idea there! 

 

 

[Lee1977 6,682]

To use the old C-series hood stand you will have to work out front gas tank mount. lt shouldn't be too hard as to make something better then what the 300/400 is.

The old style C-series belt guard will also be needed as it's wider at the shfter plate.

Edited Friday at 03:18 AM by Lee1977

[76c12091520h 3,625]

If you're going gear reduction, you'll need the upper steering shaft ( or at least the bottom of it ) to match up with the gear reduction pieces. Also, as stated above the 300 thru 500 frames all interchange but a 520 frame will have a reinforced plate in front of the transmission. I'm not sure if all of the 300 thru 500 frames have the holes in them for the gear reduction unit, I think only the later ones do....nothing a drill won't fix.

[kpinnc 12,175]

9 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

Knowing me ....... you'll need a LOT of patience. 

Well for me, a build is about the journey as much the destination. Fun comes from the build too! 

[ebinmaine 67,766]

8 hours ago, Lee1977 said:

To use the old C-series hood stand you will have to work out front gas tank mount. lt shouldn't be too hard as to make something better then what the 300/400 is.

 

 

Can you elaborate on that front gas tank mount?

 

I figured on using the rear tank from the late 70s and just leaving the forward shelf empty.  

 

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,766]

8 hours ago, 76c12091520h said:

If you're going gear reduction, you'll need the upper steering shaft ( or at least the bottom of it ) to match up with the gear reduction pieces.

 

I have the whole steering system from steering wheel to front wheels. 

 

8 hours ago, 76c12091520h said:

Also, as stated above the 300 thru 500 frames all interchange but a 520 frame will have a reinforced plate in front of the transmission.

 

Is this similar to the ones we build to reinforce the older frames? 

 

 

8 hours ago, 76c12091520h said:

I'm not sure if all of the 300 thru 500 frames have the holes in them for the gear reduction unit, I think only the later ones do....nothing a drill won't fix.

 

Something to check and easily cure. 

Nice. 

[Lee1977 6,682]

You'll have to put all the parts together and see what need to be done. There will be holes missing and parts that don't come together.

 You can't move the front tank mount holes on the 300/400.  May need to use spacers to raise the fender pan up a 1/2 or 3/4 to get it to line up and bolt together.

Remember you may have to take it back apart at some point, so keep that in mind.

Edited Saturday at 12:23 AM by Lee1977

[ebinmaine 67,766]

23 minutes ago, Lee1977 said:

You'll have to put all the parts together and see what need to be done. There will be holes missing and parts that don't come together.

 You can't move the front tank mount holes on the 300/400.  May need to use spacers to raise the fender pan up a 1/2 or 3/4 to get it to line up and bolt together.

Remember you may have to take it back apart at some point, so keep that in mind.

 

Right. Right. Right. I gotcha.  

 

Yeah OK....   that's why I ask these things... 

 

Just for the sake of thought process here... 

I wonder if the rear fuel tank would fit under a stock 1976/77 fender BRACKET  with a 1978  fender on it.  

 

That way the sheet metal would be more likely to like up....?

 

[Easton Rich 307]

If you end up doing a rear mount tank (if you can) I would build a toolbox that fits on the front shelf with a lid that shuts and latches. I don’t know just a random thought that might end up being pretty cool?

[Easton Rich 307]

You would need square hood fender brackets with the rear gas tank because the 76 front tank was just a straight up and down bracket. Unless you want to make or modify one?

[kpinnc 12,175]

6 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

Just for the sake of thought process here... 

I wonder if the rear fuel tank would fit under a stock 1976/77 fender BRACKET  with a 1978  fender on it.  

 

That way the sheet metal would be more likely to like up....?

 

If you go with any C-1x1, the center console and rear fuel tank won’t be an issue. Those last C series were very close to what you’re proposing anyway. 

[ebinmaine 67,766]

1 hour ago, kpinnc said:

 

If you go with any C-1x1, the center console and rear fuel tank won’t be an issue. Those last C series were very close to what you’re proposing anyway. 

 

True... but it's the look of the angled steering tower on the older ones I want. 

 

[Lee1977 6,682]

double post

Edited Saturday at 12:05 PM by Lee1977

[Lee1977 6,682]

11 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

I wonder if the rear fuel tank would fit under a stock 1976/77 fender BRACKET  with a 1978  fender on it.  

 

That way the sheet metal would be more likely to like up....?

 

Might be able to mount the 300/400 fuel tank bracket on top of the C-bracket. Then you'll have to put a spacer under the fender bracket to level it up.

That's what I did to the 312 when I raised the fender for the 25" rear tires.

 

 

 

Edited Saturday at 12:22 PM by Lee1977