Just want to introduce myself, pics of possible project

[PA.BOB 68]

Hi everyone just want to introduce myself. I hope this is the right place to post this. My name is Bob Demko. I'm from Honey Brook Pa. I been fooling with cars since I was about 8 years old. I was a auto mechanic for 27 years.  I'm now 62.  I always wanted to get involved with garden tractor restoration. And or pullers. I really think that the Wheel Horse tractor is the nicest looking and the best built garden tractor there is. I Don't know to much  about these. But I am learning a lot just buy looking over this great forum.  I hope that you guys wont mind to help this old bird out.  Because I know that I will have a lot of questions to be asked.  And I do really appreciate it. My friend at work has a  1978 -1979 C-81  with front plow. With 8 speed. And 8 horse Kohler. Its been sitting behind his shed for about a year or so.  He said it ran when he parked it there. It looks like CRAP now. It hasn't been running for a while.   But I would do a full restoration on it.  I would want to put  Carlisle Agg tires on rear and 3 rib on front. He said give him $150.00 for it. Do you think I could find a dash panel for it ? Looks like somebody drilled a hole in it.  Plus I need a seat !   I think it still has the original tires on it. There flat in the back.   I guess  take the tank off and clean it out first. Would you guys take the exhaust and muffler off to see if there's any mice nest in there? Let me know guys what you think. And what you would do. Would it be a good one to restore ?  Any  help would be appreciated.    He used that to plow his driveway. Until he bought a 4x4 ATV.  I will try to post some pictures if I know how.       I am not to good with the computer.

[Machineguy 877]

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,318]

If the motor will spin and has compression it’s worth the $150 in my opinion. The steering wheel is not correct if a full restoration was planned. 

 

[AMC RULES 37,130]

[Rob R 966]

I would say definitely pull the trigger if the engine is good, you get it running and chk the condition of the tranny fluid and you will have a hell of a machine. I have the identical tractor and it the best plow tractor I have ever owned.... easy to maneuver, easy to get started in sub zero and absolutely sips gas.  

[jay bee 897]

@PA.BOB to 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,561]

[WHNJ701 4,165]

if it's a bust you can sell those wheel weights and make your money back

[953 nut 55,242]

3 hours ago, PA.BOB said:

I Don't know to much  about these. But I am learning a lot just buy looking over this great forum.  I hope that you guys wont mind to help this old bird out.

We all learn from each other and there is a lot of information on this site for you. Looks like a good solid  and well worth restoring. I would suggest you pull the sheet metal covers of the engine to check for mouse nests. Feel free to ask questions if there are things you don't figure out on your own. As you begin to take the tractor apart be sure to take pictures of everything, they will come in handy as it goes back together.

The C-81 was built from '78 to '81, not sure what year yours is but have attached the '79 "C Series" manual.

 

[PA.BOB 68]

3 hours ago, Rob R said:

I would say definitely pull the trigger if the engine is good, you get it running and chk the condition of the tranny fluid and you will have a hell of a machine. I have the identical tractor and it the best plow tractor I have ever owned.... easy to maneuver, easy to get started in sub zero and absolutely sips gas.  

That's a nice one you got there Rob. Did you restore it?  I see that you have a cig lighter. Maybe that's what that hole is for in my dash.  I thought somebody drilled a hole for something.  And Sparky said my steering wheel is wrong . I didn't know that . I appreciate you guys telling me all this stuff.  Thank you guys. Bob..

[KC9KAS 4,741]

@PA.BOB  to 

[PA.BOB 68]

Thank you everyone for the nice welcomes.  Bob............. I love this forum.

[Rob R 966]

1 hour ago, PA.BOB said:

That's a nice one you got there Rob. Did you restore it?  I see that you have a cig lighter. Maybe that's what that hole is for in my dash.  I thought somebody drilled a hole for something.  And Sparky said my steering wheel is wrong . I didn't know that . I appreciate you guys telling me all this stuff.  Thank you guys. Bob..

I added he cigarette Lighter outlet so that I  can run a magnetic revolving yellow warning blinker since I live on a curve and the cars come around it WAY to fast for my liking!   Has saved my keester more then once in the past 5 yrs.....!    p.s. I got this ole girl after the original owner went to his reward. Restored it to good working order and gave her a fresh coat of paint.... p.s. don't forget to chk the transmission if the oil it is brown you need to flush it with kerosene and replace once or twice if it is black fill to proper  level and leave it  alone.....  also change the shift boot if oil is brown.... leakage here is where the H2O gets in.. Welcome Bob

Edited November 18, 2018 by Rob R

[Ed Kennell 38,178]

 to the  Bob.     Great intro and pictures....

 

BUY IT,  in my area plows sell for 150 bucks.    You get a free tractor.

As stated above,  the 8HP Kohler is a great easy starting engine.   I am not a fan of the rocker plate engine mounts, but that is a fine tractor.

[c-series don 8,708]

The 78-79 C-series are my favorite. I have all of them except a C-81 which I know where there is one that I may be able to buy soon and a C-101. Really love the looks of them. Here's two of them that I restored.

[rjg854 11,362]

  I've got 3 tractors with 8hp engines, they all start easy even in the coldest season.  You can't go wrong. 

[PA.BOB 68]

4 hours ago, Rob R said:

I added he cigarette Lighter outlet so that I  can run a magnetic revolving yellow warning blinker since I live on a curve and the cars come around it WAY to fast for my liking!   Has saved my keester more then once in the past 5 yrs.....!    p.s. I got this ole girl after the original owner went to his reward. Restored it to good working order and gave her a fresh coat of paint.... p.s. don't forget to chk the transmission if the oil it is brown you need to flush it with kerosene and replace once or twice if it is black fill to proper  level and leave it  alone.....  also change the shift boot if oil is brown.... leakage here is where the H2O gets in.. Welcome Bob

Looks like it does a nice job plowing Bob. I see your light your talking about.  Looking good Bob.  

[PA.BOB 68]

2 hours ago, c-series don said:

The 78-79 C-series are my favorite. I have all of them except a C-81 which I know where there is one that I may be able to buy soon and a C-101. Really love the looks of them. Here's two of them that I restored.

There beautiful Don.  Holly Molly. You did an A1 job on them.  There show winners.  Thanks for posting them.   Bob....

[WHNJ701 4,165]

well did we talk into buying it yet?  a few years back I found my old man a 1 owner garage kept c85 black hood because he hates his jd box store rider.  he loves that machine (the c85!!!).  I like it too solid, reliable, machine and easy to work on.

[Daron1965 644]

to the site.   

[PA.BOB 68]

21 hours ago, jabelman said:

well did we talk into buying it yet?  a few years back I found my old man a 1 owner garage kept c85 black hood because he hates his jd box store rider.  he loves that machine (the c85!!!).  I like it too solid, reliable, machine and easy to work on.

Not yet.

[12 hp Kohler 1,014]

Here's my c-81, its a great tractor with lots of power for its size. And as said above the little 8hp Kohler sips gas. 

$150 is a great deal for a C-81, the plow is a bonus, i say go get ! 

Edited November 20, 2018 by 12 hp Kohler

[paxz71usa 173]

 BOB, Glad you joined the  crowd.

 

 

 

             Gary

[PA.BOB 68]

On ‎11‎/‎19‎/‎2018 at 8:22 PM, 12 hp Kohler said:

Here's my c-81, its a great tractor with lots of power for its size. And as said above the little 8hp Kohler sips gas. 

$150 is a great deal for a C-81, the plow is a bonus, i say go get ! 

Looks good 12  hp.  Does your shifter have much play in it  ?   Thanks 12hp.   Bob.....................

[12 hp Kohler 1,014]

11 hours ago, PA.BOB said:

Looks good 12  hp.  Does your shifter have much play in it  ?   Thanks 12hp.   Bob.....................

The transmission that was in it when i got it locked up about a year ago so put another one in. I have had no trouble with the transmission that's in it now and it shifts nicely with the right amount of movement.