Bobster 19 #1 Posted March 17, 2015 I have had my 857 for about a month or two now. Weather is warming up and I guess it's time to begin. This is not a restoration, modification, or hot rod build. I just want to get the thing to run really good and put around the yard. Ultimately, I want to put a small blade on the front to grade my gravel drive and push some snow. It's going to be slow due to health reasons. I take out a bolt, then rest. The motor had some carb problems and the previous owner had removed the carb and fuel pump. The carb was complete but stuck. The fuel pump had been taken apart and part were missing. I was also missing the coil and coil mount. Rather than try to source all the parts and rebuild the carb I have found a nice gentleman in Cincy that has a k181 like mine in running condition. He wants to take my engine in trade. So it's off we go. This should be fun. I am sure I'll have a bunch of questions as time goes on. I got the deck off this morning. Darn thing was heavy. Had to jack up the front and cut the front wheels had left to clear the frame and pulleys. Deck is shot. One of the tie-rod ends came apart. Something else to repair already. Everything is quite rusty of course. Took the drive belt cover off and unhooked the drive belt. Hope to put the tractor up on blocks to help me. Standing on my head really causes problems. Please keep checking back from time to time. I will need some help, I'm sure. Here we go..... 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,155 #2 Posted March 17, 2015 Looks like you have a good horse to start with and I notice that it has a nice two spoke steering wheel and original seat is still there too. Good luck I'm still working on my daughter's 857 they are fun and easy tractors to have Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,141 #3 Posted March 17, 2015 Nice original patina on that one Bob. Good luck with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
857 horse 2,581 #4 Posted March 18, 2015 you are gonna have fun,,,, i have 4 857's nothing bigger in my shed... but !!!!!!! an 8 speed would be nice... great project.... keep it fun,,,,dont make it work Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bobster 19 #5 Posted March 19, 2015 Well, I worked a little more on the 857 this afternoon. I am switching the motor for a K181 off a 875 with a broken frame. I am meeting a real nice gentleman from Cincy on Friday to trade engines. Getting real excited. I got my horse in the garage now out of the weather. I removed the hood. and got all but the rear engine bolts and the three screws on the voltage regulator unhooked. He also had a set of control cables I needed. Anybody have some good advice on getting the rear end ready for service. Been sitting a long while and may have some water in the unit. How hard is it to put a new shift boot on? I also want to service the engine with TLC. Thanks, Bob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 39,139 #6 Posted March 19, 2015 Great looking project Bob. Really like the patina on that one. I'm sure you'll get plenty of suggestions on how to preserve it. I clean lightly with maroon scotch brite pads, then rub down with 30w oil. The rear end/ tranny... I would jack up both wheels, and if it shifts OK in all gears and there is no noise when you rotate a wheel, I would drain it and fill and flush it several times with kerosene or diesel fuel. You should run it through all the gears and rotate the wheels with the case full of the solvent to wash out all the bearings and gears. You will need to raise the front of the tractor to get all the solvent out. When it looks clear, fill with 90wt gear oil. Check that the hubs are flush with the ends of the axles and all the set screws are tight. If the axle seals do not leak, you may be good to go. If there are mechanical problems in the tranny, there are very good videos available on here to step you thru that process. Like stated above, Take your time and enjoy saving this gem and Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bobster 19 #7 Posted March 26, 2015 Been working on the 857. Got some pics for ya I took the old motor to the guy in a tote. I should have pics of the replacement engine soon..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bobster 19 #8 Posted April 7, 2015 The build goes on. I traded motors with a guy. Still a K181, but has been rebuilt by Kohler I think. Has a special sticker on the shrould that says rebuilt but has no numbers on it. Some you call it Patina, I call it rust an I got plenty. Finally got the exhaust pipe off. Thank God for PB Blaster. Soaked this petcock for 4 days before it give up. beltless.MOV I posted a video of the motor running, but it seemed to have a dry noise. I removed the belt cover and the noise ws still there. Took the starter belt off and started with rope. Nice and quiet not, I think. Ordered new bearings and brushes yesterday. Hope that fixes it. Having a ball. Missing parts.....Rubber plug that goes around wire that comes from points. Fits in points cover. Missing parts.....Bracket that holds choke cable housing to engine block. So far, So good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motor12 367 #9 Posted April 8, 2015 PB Blaster is a must if you own and work on old Wheel Horse iron. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
