FIRST RJ-58

[1961551 2]

hi, just got home today with a rj 58. ive always wanted an rj. this one is a little rough. i say a little. i like them a little rough, that makes them cheaper . this one was free. and the whole time it was less than one mile from my house. i spotted the top of steering wheel from road yesterday. owner said theres nothing left of it. so its mine now! good and bad news. BAD NEWS... a bag of fertilizer was stored on the hood outside for ? years so hood is shot. i mean gone, gas tank gone. i found part of a strap for the gas tank. steering is froze solid. deck is partially gone. GOOD NEWS... frame is pitted, but good and solid. k91 turns over, and oil is clean. all original k91 with oil bath air cleaner. all pulley covers intact and solid. muffler sheild solid. i pulled shifter out , and trans is clean on the inside! shifts through the gears. fenders are solid. i can get this one going. i just need a hood . im proud of it. it has the original tag on it. it reads RJ-58. serial number-7725

[rickv1957 72]

A diamond in the ruff for free! Rick

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330]

It is a start. I am sure that you will be able to find a hood. You have your work cut out for you but it all depends on what you are looking to do with it. I would take it apart and either have it sandblasted or get those parts in an etank. Good luck and keep us posted as to what you are going to do B)

[chazm 413]

Cool ... everybody loves freebies...

Chaz :party:

[Roger from southern Iowa 1]

You have a start, more than some of us. A LOT of the "normally gone" stuff is there.

I'd say you're on your way.

For the investment you have you can spend the time this one will take.

I say you did good. B)

[JimD 3,345]

well it is rough, but certainly salvageable. Looks like a great project to me. B)

[MikesRJ 552]

Man that serial number is quite low too.

I wonder about the K-91 though. I would think one with that low a serial number would have a K-90 on it, perhaps replaced in its past?

Can you read the K-91's Spec number? I'd be interested in what it says.

Great find, good luck with it. :party:

[evanloock 221]

The K-91 is correct. The spec on the K-91 should be 31307. The K-90 27107 was only used on the 1st 4000 or so RJ-58's from what I've seen. Most of the RJ-58 literature also quotes a 4hp motor which would be the K-91 or Clinton B-1290. Early RJ-58 ads spec a 3.6 hp engine which would be the K-90 or Clinton 1200 (as also used on the RJ-35). My RJ-58 with the K-90 is serial 3796.

[Gene_S 93]

Thats just amazing Jimmy... Very cool find... Now how many more like that are out there to be found???

[Kelly 1,029]

Ruff for sure but most of the hard to find parts are there that is a plus, and FREE is the best part.

[VinsRJ 721]

Nice find, with some work you can bring it back. From the looks of the flywheel nut it most likely had a Schancke recoil on it at one time. The manual rope starter must have been a replacement.

[Lane Ranger 10,943]

Nice start of a beautiful marriage...

B)

[evanloock 221]

The Schnacke equipped K-90/K-91 HAVE the backup rope starter installed under the recoil. The one on that engine looks a little bit wider than the original, but it jut may be the angle of the shot.

[VinsRJ 721]

The Schnacke equipped K-90/K-91 HAVE the backup rope starter installed under the recoil.

[Duff 206]

I've seen guys here bring 'em back from the dead starting with less than you got, so I'm confident it'll be a worthy restoration as your time and resources allow.

Congratulations!

Duff B)

[1961551 2]

i ve got the info off of the engine tag.

model K 91 T

SERIAL # 382332

SPEC# 31307 A

There are provisions for a recoil to bolt onto the blower housing. did it come with one? were they options? mine has no flyweel screen. im thinking it should any help appreciated. jimmy

[CasualObserver 3,408]

It would have come with the Schnacke recoil starter that some of the other guys already mentioned. The recoil has the screen, that's why there's not one on the flywheel. The pulley and big flywheel nut are part of this setup. You can find them occasionally. In fact there's one on ebay right now. These pictures (of the one on ebay) show what you're looking for. It will say Schnacke engraved in script just below the center of the face. I should warn you though... they command a pretty hefty price. Lots of people are looking for these. Also commonly found on George garden tractors and Schnacke outboard motors.. but you're not likely to find either of those very cheap either.

[Suburban 550 28]

Nice find, Jimmy. It's a little ruff but a very restorable tractor. Good Luck with it. I've seen a lot worse risen' from the grave and you couldn't beat the price.

[VinsRJ 721]

i ve got the info off of the engine tag.

model

[TT-(Moderator) 1,131]

The K-91 is correct. The spec on the K-91 should be 31307.

B)

[1961551 2]

thanks guys, as far as the recoil situation, its a kohler. if it the k 91 is like all my other kolhers, they start well. so the rope will be fine. i got too many projects right now to start on the rj. the 551 and the 633 are in progress now. my intentions are..... (some may disagree) to find me a rusty hood. free up pivot points. torch and pb blaster. do whatever it takes to get engine mechanically sound. replace rotten left front wheel with one that needs painting. grease contact points. replace only what i have to. no paint. enjoy this baby! jimmy

[Kelly 1,029]

You sound like you have a plan, I think it would be cool to leave it like it is, with minor fixes and use it, Make sure you save the ID tag most don't have them after all this time, take a razor blade and slide under it, it looks like it will peel right off.

[piecrazy4 0]

B) you have a good start !

[wh1257 226]

nice bud not good codition

[d180man 5]

Hi nice find for frree! good luck on it ! :clap: