meadowfield 2,615 #1 Posted Thursday at 12:52 PM A guy can never have two many projects It's 10 years since I almost finished one, and I decided to start another.... With an early two piece trans lying around and a few pictures, I decided to build a 551 from scratch. Big shout out to @oliver2-44 and @Shaun turner for pictures/dimensions and bits to copy. The frame came together pretty quickly. It gets a bit trickier after that - especially on the steering, but I thought I could do my own spin.... drilling and filing a 7 tooth 3/8 sprocket was fun! but the principle works well onto making an axle from bits! 2" flat bar and Volvo C30 driveshaft.... you guys know I love a bit of recycling. Lots of layers and bending. quick modification to C series spindles. and some experimenting to get the tie rod and ackerman perfect. more to follow.... 2 9 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 56,091 #2 Posted Thursday at 01:46 PM Utilizing the roller chain as you did on the steering is a clever idea. 3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,742 #3 Posted Thursday at 10:21 PM Looks interesting! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 26,101 #4 Posted Thursday at 10:39 PM Amazing!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moparfanforever 866 #5 Posted Thursday at 10:41 PM Looking forward to see more of your build!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 2,615 #6 Posted Friday at 09:54 AM H55 and H60 are tricky to get in the US - even rarer over here in the UK. However we have a cylinder (reel) mower made here that uses a very similar engine. A Tecumseh AQ148 - it's a very similar version of the old design, electric start and comparable HP. a very obvious difference is the inlet and exhaust are swapped!!! so might need some work to solve... onto that early two piece.... thought I had best take a peek inside - remarkably good, quite a lot of wear on the drive gear onto the brake drum spur. All three 1" bearings are shot, they've just crumbled. Assume it is the shell rusting and no longer retaining the needles. New bearings and seals ordered (not cheap in the UK) Onto the clutch Idler, my best estimation from the photos. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 12,743 #7 Posted Friday at 10:09 AM 13 minutes ago, meadowfield said: Onto the clutch Idler, my best estimation from the photos. Outstanding work. Can't wait to see the finished product! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,822 #9 Posted Friday at 03:52 PM @meadowfield is that 3/8 angle steel ? on the frame set up ? have some left from back in the day , dumpster diving , nice looking welding flow , also that steering chain is a definite , you cant do that , from the purists , another ,those frame rails are a good place to lay in a 5/16 steel brake line , eliminate a lot of fuel hose break down , fit it into the angle bend area , then a short run to fuel tank / carb , that clutch idler is a regular lubrication failure / also undersize bearing , good spot to eliminate that . thank you for the pictures , pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 2,615 #10 Posted Saturday at 04:36 PM On 1/3/2025 at 3:52 PM, peter lena said: @meadowfield is that 3/8 angle steel ? on the frame set up ? have some left from back in the day , dumpster diving , nice looking welding flow , also that steering chain is a definite , you cant do that , from the purists , another ,those frame rails are a good place to lay in a 5/16 steel brake line , eliminate a lot of fuel hose break down , fit it into the angle bend area , then a short run to fuel tank / carb , that clutch idler is a regular lubrication failure / also undersize bearing , good spot to eliminate that . thank you for the pictures , pete It’s 1/4” x 2” angle, thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 2,615 #11 Posted Saturday at 04:38 PM (edited) Little more today, 3x new 1” needles and seals, new gasket and hopefully good for another 60 years! new keys for the axle too, before sliding the hubs on. Edited Saturday at 04:39 PM by meadowfield 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,822 #12 Posted Saturday at 05:22 PM @meadowfield think it was the camera , that made me think it was thicker / heavier , like your tweaking , improvements as you go , seeing the opportunity to make it better , think thats a vital part of maintenance , that many miss, being on call 24-7 you can bet we regularly came up with maintenance, failure opportunities to eliminate a chronic issue . been using lucas gear oils , with flinging stage , additives , notice the ease of function . good on you , pete 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
