Aldon 4,827 #1 Posted September 19, 2017 Gents, i picked this up yesterday. Serial 46574 ive searched and can't seem to find a chart or method for determining what this model is specifically by serial number. it looks identical to my 551's but seller listed as 401. Engine is a Tecumsah 5.5hp or at least it appears so to my uneducated eyes. can it be locked in by serial? Perhaps it is a repower or actually started life as a 501/551. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,300 #2 Posted September 19, 2017 (edited) With that hoodstand, the 2 piece transmission (401 still used the 3 piece) and the 5hp definitely a 551. The 401 has the same hoodstand as a 400. The 551 had the battery in front of the motor like that one. Edited September 19, 2017 by Racinbob 2 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 56,164 #3 Posted September 19, 2017 551 has the two piece transmission, and @Racinbob types faster than me! 6 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,300 #4 Posted September 19, 2017 Oops, I was in the edit mode to add that about the 2 piece so technically you beat me. 3 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aldon 4,827 #5 Posted September 19, 2017 Thanks gentlemen! It all fits my master plan to a tee then! Sweet! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 56,164 #6 Posted September 19, 2017 8 minutes ago, Racinbob said: technically you beat me. We will just call it a tie, the important thing is that @Aldon has come one step closer to Wheel Horse Nirvana. 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikeeyre74 289 #7 Posted September 19, 2017 oh my goodness, those rear tires got me so excited! Definitely different.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,730 #8 Posted September 19, 2017 Great to find one with an original serial number tag like that. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aldon 4,827 #9 Posted September 19, 2017 It definitely got me moving yesterday. In order to assure I did not miss out I drove almost 8 hours round trip last night and did pick up in dark of night in springfield MA. i have another patina 551 which I will make this one whole with. Pretty stoked about the condition of hood, steering wheel, the tires and the serial number as mentioned. Already started the process... 5 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whtractors24 3,197 #10 Posted September 19, 2017 Creme puff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,363 #11 Posted September 19, 2017 Joe the 2nd? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aldon 4,827 #12 Posted September 19, 2017 Yeah. It's joes brother for sure:-) look at this awesome frame repair... in process of determining if they welded the tranny or not. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 17,531 #13 Posted September 19, 2017 Nice find there👍 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,910 #14 Posted September 19, 2017 Just so you know...there are no 501's. Nice find Aldon. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aldon 4,827 #15 Posted September 19, 2017 Thanks. For the info and compliment. Lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fast88pu 3,324 #16 Posted September 20, 2017 JOE #1 3 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,486 #17 Posted September 20, 2017 Couldn't use the hydraulic puller on the steering wheel Aldon? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aldon 4,827 #18 Posted September 20, 2017 2 minutes ago, WHX12 said: Couldn't use the hydraulic puller on the steering wheel Aldon? Actually I could but it would be quite cumbersome. The real challenge on this one was getting the roll pin free. Without damaging the phenolic plastic or whatever that compound is on outer grip area. 15 hours ago, stevasaurus said: Just so you know...there are no 501's. Nice find Aldon. This was really a brain cramp on my part. I knew this ...but was on autopilot to error:-) 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,486 #19 Posted September 20, 2017 I see, no don't want to damage that, that is one of the nicer ones I have see... only a couple of minor cracks. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge 3,464 #20 Posted September 20, 2017 Those wheels are really close to Bakelite , which is a sort of pre-resin material . There are fillers made for it , and VHT makes a very potent black vinyl/interior dye ( UV stable) that will make it black again after you repair the cracks . Just be sure to blast those areas dead clean first so everything can bite into it and adhere properly . Once cured , sanded to match the profile - use Eastwood's Diamond Clear on the whole wheel - it will literally look like new . I did that with a '68 Charger 12's steering wheel years back and it still looks like the day I finished it . Sarge 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aldon 4,827 #21 Posted September 20, 2017 Working for a living sure inhibits hobby time. But I was able to break it down some more. And I'm 75% certain that they did not weld onto the 3 speed tranny so that's good news. Took a a day off and should be able to get more done tomorrow. 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JPWH 6,147 #22 Posted September 20, 2017 WOW! You have been busy. You are making a lot more progress than I am. Good news on the tranny not being welded. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,486 #23 Posted September 21, 2017 So lemme get this straight @Racinbob ...you're saying some '61's (551's or others) did have a two piece in them? I was always under the thought that 2 piece tranny were not brought out till early '62? Was it just late 61 that the f plate frames were being produced? Please excuse my ignorance on your thread Aldon but I like to pick Bob's brain... lots of good stuff wise in ther! Never mine Bob ...in thinking now a 701 would have had a two piece! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evanloock 221 #24 Posted September 21, 2017 All 1961 701 and 551 tractors had the two piece transmission while the 401 retained the three piece trans. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 17,531 #25 Posted September 21, 2017 You dont waste time. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
