WVHillbilly520H 10,374 #1 Posted February 18, 2018 I've been tossing ideas around in my head for quite some time about building a rat rod project with a manual trans if I found the right candidate, I believe I have with this one, an actual built 312-8 that some *@@# has already hacked on but still mostly there, believe it or not the hour meter shows just under 450 and the M12 started up cold (38°) this morning NO smoke and after some starting fluid idled decent, the factory wiring harness is completely gone and last owner started rewiring with a new ignition switch eliminating all the safety switches, the mid attac-a-matic has been removed as well as the PTO lever front head lights, came with all the removed parts aside from missing engine tin and air cleaner assembly, shift boot looks ok but P.O. drained rear flushed with gas and lost drain plug, also got a fair to decent 42" SD deck and a couple extra no WH seats, since my main plan is turn it into a rat/hot rod most won't be going back on anyways and the M12 is probably going away for a Predator 670 swap as I actually find time to see what I have and don't some things/parts may be coming available, Jeff. 7 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 21,547 #2 Posted February 18, 2018 Yep, perfect machine to start with. Good luck! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 39,176 #3 Posted February 18, 2018 This could get interesting..... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,874 #4 Posted February 18, 2018 1 hour ago, Ed Kennell said: This could get interesting..... That's what I was thinkin' too.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 56,164 #5 Posted February 19, 2018 Nice candidate for a rat rod build. I will be watching this one for sure! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #6 Posted February 19, 2018 Kinda looks like a rat rod already.. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,912 #7 Posted February 19, 2018 Chiming in to watch the progress. Looks like a good candidate for a rat. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,520 #8 Posted February 19, 2018 10 minutes ago, Achto said: Chiming in to watch the progress. Looks like a good candidate for a rat. Very nice! Updates are required, all need and want to watch your project. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,374 #9 Posted February 20, 2018 On this warm February day, I got out my cheap HF electric pressure washer, and tried relieving years of neglect on this little bugger, must not have gotten all the water drained out and the pump sprang a leak $79 for 3 years I guess you get what you pay for, anyways before it went totally south I got a good bit removed and went through the spare parts that came along, I believe the mower deck is salvageable no big holes in the shell spindles seem ok ,mule drive missing a pulley and cover, have the PTO rod and lever, what's left of the wire harness, the air cleaner mount with filter and hold down plate but not the "lid" ,75% of the mid tach-a-matic, and the belt guard with a new in the bag drive belt, Jeff. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,374 #10 Posted February 21, 2018 Couple questions for the more knowledgeable fellas since I'm stuck on 520s, the front wheels are 6" diameter but what width? as I want to go with 3.50-6 tri rib tires for my build, and I see some 12x8.5 "modular" wheels on eBay I'm thinking about for the rear with either 23x10.5 or 24x12 turfs, also I'm thinking of stretching the frame and hood 4-6" and either "flipping" the front axle or making a set of "drop" spindles and/or a custom front drop axle, to give it a little "rake" like my old car, Jeff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 56,164 #11 Posted February 21, 2018 2 minutes ago, WVHillbilly520H said: front wheels are 6" diameter but what width? Mine are 6.50 wide. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 56,164 #12 Posted February 21, 2018 Miller has some nice rims you may want to look at. http://www.millertire.com/categories/puller-tires/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,374 #13 Posted February 21, 2018 (edited) 21 minutes ago, 953 nut said: Miller has some nice rims you may want to look at. http://www.millertire.com/categories/puller-tires/ Ouch, those cost more than the 312, I seen I can get 6x4.5" wheels but that might not set the sidewalls flush enough found some 3.5" wide for snowblowers but have the long centers for pinning to the axle...decisions decisions... Edited February 21, 2018 by WVHillbilly520H Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,358 #14 Posted February 21, 2018 Well another set of tires to add to your used tire hoard and these even have rims . 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,374 #15 Posted February 24, 2018 I think I have figured out what to use for my "drop" spindles with out cutting or flipping the axle...oh my my ears are starting to burn... Cub Cadet "wide frame" front spindles as I was back home in WV today and has dad's Cubs out and the came on 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,374 #16 Posted February 27, 2018 Work decided to furlough some departments today so I decided to go buy a cheap battery and see how things go with firing it up and running it around, well it fired right up with minimal cranking and no starter fluild after "playing" around a little bit I tried to take it out on its maiden voyage but no luck as the drive belt shredded it self, also the fuel pump and carb bowl are leaking while running but if I'm gonna swap it out for a HF 670 I guess that doesn't need to be addressed quite yet,@ebinmaine see if you like the muffler I made some time back (vid68), Jeff. VIDEO0067.mp4 VIDEO0068.mp4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,374 #17 Posted February 27, 2018 I took some time to put the new in the bag belt on, it kept jumping off, the top guide with PTO hoop/brake mount was off found a couple bolts (7/16-14 BTW) to mount that back on adjusted the finger at the bottom of the block and the guard over the idler pulley, belt stays on now, took a little trip around around the yard and just had to pull a coming back up the driveway (it's hard not to be kid on these ), Jeff. VIDEO0069.mp4 VIDEO0070.mp4 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
classiccat 548 #18 Posted February 27, 2018 That was awesome! thanks for taking us along for the ride! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,874 #19 Posted March 1, 2018 Sounds good Jeff! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,374 #20 Posted March 1, 2018 18 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Sounds good Jeff! Would that be quiet enough for you? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
littleredrider 409 #21 Posted March 1, 2018 I love ur 78 Malibu. I’ve had many of these cars, last one was a 79 factory 4-speed, power “sky roof” as they called it, Black interior, buckets, posi, tach dash, 4” cowl hood, 295/50s on vette rallies, and mildly built 454. Miss that car... 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,374 #22 Posted March 1, 2018 2 hours ago, littleredrider said: I love ur 78 Malibu. I’ve had many of these cars, last one was a 79 factory 4-speed, power “sky roof” as they called it, Black interior, buckets, posi, tach dash, 4” cowl hood, 295/50s on vette rallies, and mildly built 454. Miss that car... My first was a '79 factory 4spd Landau with buckets baby blue inside and out, was kinda like my "General Lee" back in '93-94 , sold it then whined for years till March '01 when I bought this one black on black originally 3.3 V6 2.73 open rear with 50/50 split bench, still sitting on the factory 14" rallies pure sleeper with the upon purchase 406SBC and reverse manual valve body TH 400, then I added the big and little Welds and 4.10 GM cone post to the 7.5" rear, started breaking things like the original rear axle then the tranny then the engine blew a head gasket, replacing each when the went out, now I have about 100 miles on the new engine, just can't seem to find time to actually go enjoy it like I used to, Jeff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,874 #23 Posted March 1, 2018 21 hours ago, WVHillbilly520H said: Would that be quiet enough for you? I should have the tractor all set but ... that would be good on the antique generator. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
