WheelHorseSteve 56 #1 Posted July 27, 2020 Introducing the latest Frankenstein / custom Wheel Horse -- my 1975 C-180. It's not complete but the idea is to dedicate this as a loader machine: it is my most stout mid-70s C-series. The K361 on it needs some attention; blown head gasket. Does anyone have familiarity with doing a head gasket on this OHV engine? I am going to do a breather in the valve cover and close off the factory breather to encourage the oil mist to get to the top. 5 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pollack Pete 2,273 #2 Posted July 27, 2020 Nice.I like the valve cover poking through the hood.I've got a 1556 Bolens with that overhead valve engine.Your Wheel Horse looks much better than my Bolens. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelHorseSteve 56 #3 Posted July 27, 2020 8 minutes ago, Pollack Pete said: Nice.I like the valve cover poking through the hood.I've got a 1556 Bolens with that overhead valve engine.Your Wheel Horse looks much better than my Bolens. Thanks Pete! It's kind of like the bulge you see on some hoods... or a scoop. Fun to look over to remind you that you have the 18HP. Not fun if this ends up being as unreliable of an engine as I've read. A rare bird... especially in the world of Wheel Horse. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redneckdavis 308 #4 Posted July 27, 2020 Good news is that even if the engine fails you, I don't think the lazyboy on the back will. Very nice though 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 27,494 #5 Posted July 27, 2020 Looks Cool! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelHorseSteve 56 #6 Posted July 27, 2020 6 minutes ago, Redneckdavis said: Good news is that even if the engine fails you, I don't think the lazyboy on the back will. Very nice though Ha! That is one comfy seat that I shoehorned onto it. Tractor Supply... big fan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redneckdavis 308 #7 Posted July 27, 2020 Looks like the ones that come on zero turns. . Btw the grass hopper ones are like brown leather. Looks like a king ranch f150 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redneckdavis 308 #8 Posted July 27, 2020 Can anyone tell me what years,models your decals are on? Those are perfect for my new project Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 64,468 #9 Posted July 27, 2020 Was there indeed a C-180, or is that part of the Frankenstein in the tractor? I have heard about the OHV Kohler, but haven’t ever seen one up close. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelHorseSteve 56 #10 Posted July 27, 2020 4 minutes ago, pullstart said: Was there indeed a C-180, or is that part of the Frankenstein in the tractor? I have heard about the OHV Kohler, but haven’t ever seen one up close. There wasn't... C-160 was the most powerful C-series in 1975. The 18HP K361 engine was on certain Powerking, Allis Chalmers, Bolens and other machines in the late 70s but Wheel Horse never adopted it. Wanted to shoehorn one into a roller and see if I could get it working well. Crossing fingers I can make it work, avoiding the problems others have had. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 70,671 #11 Posted July 27, 2020 2 hours ago, Redneckdavis said: Can anyone tell me what years,models your decals are on? Those are perfect for my new project I think those are stuck decals for that era. Check the pictures section here on the site. If you want to order some, Vinyl guy can help you out. That's a neat looking rig with that 18. It's been a couple years since I looked into those but I think your reliability problems can be solved fairly easily. Something to do with the breather like you stated above. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,241 #12 Posted July 27, 2020 Garry 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelHorseSteve 56 #13 Posted July 27, 2020 1 hour ago, gwest_ca said: Garry Thanks Garry! Just what the doctor ordered -- appreciate it! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 57,839 #14 Posted July 27, 2020 (edited) There was a single cylinder OHV engine used in a small number of Wheel Horses, but it was a Tecumseh HH160. It was a C-162 and the hood pivot point and dash tower were raised a couple inches to allow for the OHV. Edited July 27, 2020 by 953 nut 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 70,671 #15 Posted July 27, 2020 35 minutes ago, 953 nut said: There was a single cylinder OHV engine used in a small number of Wheel Horses, but it was a Tecumseh HH160. It was a C-162 and the hood pivot point and dash tower were raised a couple inches to allow for the OHV. I just recently acquired one of those. Model year 1974 only on the C160. It sure is different compared to my 1974 C160 Cinnamon Horse with a Kohler. Just as a point of interest, (some at least), were still called C160. The model id number was different than the K series tractors but it was the same C160 on the decals. The C120 (as a Tecumseh) was used for both 74 and 75 and was called a "Special" in 1975 only. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RandyLittrell 3,894 #16 Posted July 28, 2020 You need a little cowl induction hood scoop on it! Randy 1 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 57,839 #17 Posted July 28, 2020 10 hours ago, RandyLittrell said: You need a little cowl induction hood scoop on it! Randy isn't that sort-of like the Mopar "Shaker Hood" now? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelHorseSteve 56 #18 Posted July 28, 2020 50 minutes ago, 953 nut said: isn't that sort-of like the Mopar "Shaker Hood" now? That was the inspiration. Once I have a breather in the valve cover it will actually transfer air. Not intake kind of air... but hey... gotta have some fun. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RandyLittrell 3,894 #19 Posted July 29, 2020 On 7/28/2020 at 5:56 AM, 953 nut said: isn't that sort-of like the Mopar "Shaker Hood" now? Ya, but i'm a Chevy guy, so I go for the Camaro hood idea!! Randy 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
