500 Special Resurrected

[Racinbob 11,370]

This story goes back to a couple months before the 2015 big show. I've told it before but I briefly say again for those who didn't see it earlier. Two gentlemen (brothers) had four Wheel Horses and found this forum in search of more information on them. I replied and discovered that they were only 30 some miles from me so I told them I'd come take a look at them. They had a 701 which they ended up selling to a member here and I hauled it to the big show last year and @limited12 relayed it to the new owner in Virginia. They had a nice 854 that they decided to keep. The last two were these:

 

 

As you can see they have their issues and my suggestion was to make one good tractor out of the two of them. Obviously one is a 657 and the other that I called a Frankenhorse, The snowblade on it went with the 701. A few weeks later I received a text. They told me that if I wanted them come get them At the time I didn't realize it but the Frankenhorse turned out to be a 500 Special (Serial #490313). That added to my excitement. 95%+ of the parts on a 657 and a 500 Special are identical so there was no question what I was going to do. 500 Special here I come. I disassembled both of them and my comment about making one good one was the right diagnosis. Based on the shift rails one of the transmissions wasn't original and likely a 5025. Many of the gears were in bad shape.

 

 

 

Fortunately, out of the two transmissions I was able to build a good one. One fender pan was pretty much shot as well as one frame where it attaches to the transmission. Over the course of the past few months I've been gradually painting parts and making a few things for it.

 

 

The engine sitting there is a K-161 I picked up from @jd110 It spent it's earlier years serving duty at Micky Mouse Land. No Tecky for me. Here's how she sits now.

 

 

 

A big thanks to @19richie66 for many of the parts going on this build. The tires (23-8.50 and 16-5.50, all with the Wheel Horse lettering), the steering wheel, fuel tank, seat parts of the style I wanted, and more. Another item that was given to me by the same two gentlemen was a snow blade. I've got it restored but tucked away right now and it will be going on this tractor. A snow blade in central Florida No worries. We'll be back in Indiana not too far down the road. I'll be working on the body parts now but they won't get final paint until the weather breaks. That's all coming from the 657 and, as you can see, everything is nice and straight and will be easy to fix up.

 

[KC9KAS 4,741]

WOW that is going to be a really sharp 500 Special!

Thanks for the photos.

[Racinbob 11,370]

Although it goes without saying it's clear that this won't be as the 500 Specials came out of South Bend. I love the restorations that folks strive for absolute factory correct but my rebuilds tend to be tweaked towards what I like on them. The tire size, Kohler motor, C-101 steering wheel, the seat setup will be similar to the mid 70's style, stainless hardware, and who knows what else will be different. It did start out life as a 500 Special but I guess when I'm done I would be best off to call it  Racinbobs 500 Special. Now why didn't I think of that before I bought the decals from Terry.

[dlashb40 20]

I cannot be happier with what you have done so far with the tractors Bob! Thank you so much for sharing your fine work and I look forward to seeing the finished product!

BTW - I have an 854 that you're familiar with I want to restore!

[Jake Kuhn 1,556]

Looking great Bob!

[Johndeereelfman 309]

It's looking good Bob and coming along nicely. I'm looking forward to following along with your progress and can't wait to see it finished. 

[19richie66 17,537]

Looks fantastic Bob. Glad I could be a small part of it. 

[Racinbob 11,370]

Here's a quick update on the progress. I've got the lower hood stand assembly sitting in place. The rest of the items to complete it are hanging in the garage drying. The remaining parts for the K-161 are ready to install. If you remember the hopeless Walbro carb thread I started you'll know why I put a new carb on. I also installed a new coil. I ended up using aircraft remover to get the motor stripped. By this time next week it should really start coming together. The hood only needs minor tweaking before it gets painted.

[Wishin4a416 2,191]

Lookin good Bob!! Its going to turn out real nice.

[19richie66 17,537]

NICE!! 

[AMC RULES 37,143]

 Indeed it is Bob.  

[dclarke 4,046]

Looks great, Bob! 

[dlashb40 20]

I'm so happy that we crossed paths. I know our Grandfather is looking down from the heavens smiling at the fine work you have done to his joy of collecting the Wheel Horse tractors. Thank you for sharing Bob! 

 

Doug & Dennis Lashbrook

[Racinbob 11,370]

Well my friends, this will probably be the last update and the last of the work on the 500 Special until we are officially Hoosiers again. We are scheduled to close on our new place up there March 10. We will then close on this place a week or two later. But......you all know the potential pitfalls in real estate. But so far everything is moving along quite nicely.

 

I was already working on the hood so I decided to finish and install it before the move. I think it will travel better. I made a modification at the hood hinge so it doesn't tip too far when open. I installed Terry's beautiful decals this morning and noticed something when I put the hood ornament on. The back hole was about 1/4" off center. This hood was originally on a 657 and of course it didn't have a hood stripe and it wasn't noticeable.. With the 500 Special stripe you've got a perfect reference to see it. I would have been compelled to fix it had I noticed it before painting the hood. Now it stays as is. This one is going to be a worker. You can see the axle bracket on it. Yup, this will be my snow pusher. I'll be looking for a blower for my 2005. 

 

[WHX?? 49,573]

ABSOLUTELY  frickin gorgeous Bob...absolutely  Where did you get the tie rods from ...Lowell? Think they would work on my 1067 build?

[dlashb40 20]

My late Grandfather would be very proud of your work to this fine piece of equipment. Thanks for sharing Bob!

 

Doug & Dennis Lashbrook 

[Racinbob 11,370]

 

I'm pretty sure I got the ends from Lowell. I made the rods from 3/8" fine thread and 3/8" ID tubing.I'm sure you could do the same thing on your 1067

1 minute ago, dlashb40 said:

My late Grandfather would be very proud of your work to this fine piece of equipment. Thanks for sharing Bob!

 

Doug & Dennis Lashbrook 

Thank you. This tractor has quite a story behind it and you two played a major part. I was so excited when you gave me the two tractors. I was putting this build together in my head before I even picked them up.

[953 nut 56,320]

              I like the Kohler in place of the Techie.  The workmanship is outstanding, look forward to seeing it in June.

   Have a safe trip and hope both closings go well.   

[Racinbob 11,370]

Thanks Richard. I definitely prefer Kohlers. That motor used to spend it's time running a pump at Mickey Mouse World. They retired them because they were too loud.

[oliver2-44 9,962]

That looks great!

If you need any help storing tractors as you move, just ship em to me.  Lots of room here

[neil 2,410]

Amazing job you did , when can I come and collect it ?

 

[19richie66 17,537]

Wow Bob. That thing has turned out beautiful. Very nice!

[AMC RULES 37,143]

Nicely done Bob...    

can't wait to see this one pushing the white stuff. 

[dlashb40 20]

9 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

That looks great!

If you need any help storing tractors as you move, just ship em to me.  Lots of room here

 

I'd like to get in on storing the tractor! I'm 45 minutes away Bob!!!

[Racinbob 11,370]

 for the compliments. We all know how helpful the folks here are.........especially when it comes to storage. No worries though, that issue will be resolved when we get back to Indiana. I'll even have room to let them breed.

 

Craig, I can't wait until the first snowfall next winter. It's been too many years since I've had the fun of pushing snow around.

Edited February 17, 2017 by Racinbob