Finally bitten by the Horse

[Greentored 3,201]

LOOK, fellas- ya done hooked another one!!!!

@P2mfknj dont worry buddy, they hooked me too. Might as well start making room in your garage now 

Edited August 25, 2020 by Greentored

[Tractorhead 9,064]

Oh yes, the herd, the herd

 

... it grow‘s and grows... 😂😂😂

[P2mfknj 65]

Thank you for all of the support! This place is great! I live that two tone seat and definitely need to order one. I do love the patina rat rad look and also love restomods. I'm still torn on what I'm going to do with it. I know I will love it no matter what type of restoration I do and grab another one when this one is finished.

[P2mfknj 65]

I also love the bumber sticker idea! I would buy one! I had a riding mower back in 2011 with a 15hp OHV Briggs that felt like it was powered by a 2cycle seed wacker motor. Typical rpm drops when engaging implements and bogged down when cutting grass over 4 inches high. I just moved into a new place and the yard needed some immediate attention. I decided to use the 1966 wheel horse to cut the grass. It may not be the fastest rider but it surely puts out the torque. My back yard has long steep grade leading up to the house before the flat area out back. Cutting over 6in grass going up a the grade the cast iron 8hp Kohler was laughing at the workload. So my question is, what is the maximum load this thing can take before pushing the limits?

[WHX?? 48,778]

6 minutes ago, P2mfknj said:

maximum load this thing can take before pushing the limits?

I don't really think any of us know as they seem to know no limits on a fine runner. Usually run out of traction way before power!

Tell you what push it then report back to us! 

Edited August 25, 2020 by WHX24

[SylvanLakeWH 25,490]

Here's my 10 HP dealing with some hood high grass...

 

No problem with deck at highest setting and going in 1st gear...

 

So...They can take a lot...

 

[Tractorhead 9,064]

this little machines go definitely far until they reach their limits.

 

Compared with my 212 i need at least 1/2 the throttle to do the same Cut.

To be fair, my 212 have a 42“Deck and the 656 have a 36“Deck.

but on the 212 i must ride with 2 speed of 5 and the 656 can be used on 2 speed of 3.

However, felt the 656 do the job quicker, but definitely with less Fuelconsumption.

 

 

I like the Torque on the Tecky even on lower throttle compared to my 212 Horse with a Swaped 16HP Engine.

Also on steeper hills the Tecky shows it‘s torque more impressive.

This difference is the most impressive, than i never can imagine before.

 

 

As you allready mentioned it‘s a compare between Horses and Pony‘s.

It takes just 1 Mowerday, to changed my beloved Machine now to my new to me 656 Horse.

Love the Seattime on it, even on Trailrides.

 

 

so have a lot of Fun and Seattime with your‘s

[Stormin 9,981]

 From an addict in

[P2mfknj 65]

4 hours ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

Here's my 10 HP dealing with some hood high grass...

 

No problem with deck at highest setting and going in 1st gear...

 

So...They can take a lot...

 

Hood high grass!? Look more like they are growing hood wheat! Was it harvest time?!🤣

[ebinmaine 67,274]

1 hour ago, P2mfknj said:

Hood high grass!? Look more like they are growing hood wheat! Was it harvest time?!🤣

One could say he's efficient for only mowing when approaching the time you can't see past the grass. 

[Greentored 3,201]

Theres nothing like the bark of a single cylinder engine under a heavy load. Wait til you hook a plow to her and she STILL doesn't hardly grunt. Disappointing yet fascinating at the same time haha.

There is most definitely a power difference in the modern engines versus the old iron. Pretty sure these old Kohlers would drag a lot of the new machines around the yard backwards.

[Greentored 3,201]

and like @Tractorhead said, enjoy some seat time- these machines LOVE to be taken on a cruise now and again.

[AHS 1,439]

As in @Greentored said “there’s nothing like the bark of a single cylinder under a heavy load” All I can think of is Tim the tool man doing his “arh arh arh” right now😀👍💪💪

[953 nut 55,075]

On 8/25/2020 at 1:19 PM, P2mfknj said:

My back yard has long steep grade leading up to the house before the flat area out back.

Steep grades can be a problem for the engine's lubrication. If the oil runs to the back or front of the oil pan the dipper for the splash lubrication won't be slinging enough oil.

[AHS 1,439]

In fact I talked to a guy that was working at the old Wheelhorse dealer back around mid 70s, that said “the kohler k series were the Cadillac of small engines” and “ A guy either had a Wheelhorse, or knew someone that had one!”😀💪

[P2mfknj 65]

So it's been a long winter and completed many projects I was already working on. Time to finally get to working on this as I have been impatiently waiting to get to it. First thing done was to install a custom seat to get this rat rid restomod rat rod going. I am 100% keeping all original parts in case I want to fully restore her back to her original glory which will undoubtedly happen in the future when I have more time. I love the seat idea and I also installed rack bearing springs from a rack and pinion steering gear under the seat (very comfortable rise with no jarring or bouncing...perfect spring rate for this!!) However I do have a question about the gas to use in this engine. Could someone direct me to a thread or post a link for engine / carburetor information? I live in Michigan and a large majority of our gas has 10% ethanol in it. Did these old girls run on leaded gas back in the day? Is there any specific additives I should be using. Since she still runs amazing I want to keep her that way as long as possible before completely rebuilding the engine. Thank you again for all the help on this amazing new addiction!!

[rjg854 11,350]

leaded gas, if you have in your area,  @953 nut would know the website off the top of his head.

I haven't finished my 1st cup of coffee yet so I'm of no use 

[ebinmaine 67,274]

www.pure-gas.org

 

Note the dash in the middle.

 

Try your BEST to get ethanol FREE gas. 

 

If it just can't happen take the time to change over to an ethanol-free fuel line and that will help. There's no way of avoiding the fact that ethanol damages rubber in the carburetor and I'm finding some pitting in aluminum cylinder heads that may be related as well.

 

 

[EricF 589]

My experience with older equipment from the ages of leaded and pre-ethanol unleaded fuel is that anything that's been running continuously and reliably through the 1990s-early 2000s transition to 10% ethanol has generally been had its fuel-related issues addressed and will keep running fine as long as you keep an eye on fuel lines, filters, and overall fuel condition -- and keep giving it low- or no-ethanol fuel if you can find it or at least keep stabilizer in your stored fuel.

 

Older machines that sat idle and were "woken up" and given fuel with ethanol in it would have the worst cascading failures. Rust in metal gas tanks got knocked loose, clogging things up. Gasoline-resistant (but not modern ethanol-resistant) fuel lines would deteriorate, shedding gunk and particles downstream. Any thin layers of solid varnish from old gas would partially liquefy into gunk and then go semi-solid somewhere else downstream. Pure misery until the lines and filters were replaced, the tank cleaned, and the carb cleaned -- all together. Skipping any part of the fuel system would inevitably mean the ethanol would flush contaminants out and send them into the carb somehow.

 

Any time you suspect that ethanol is playing havoc with an otherwise clean and updated fuel system, Sea Foam and/or Marvel Mystery Oil are your friends. Put some in the tank with a fill-up or two and let it work while the machine works. If you suspect it's a problem specific to the carb, get the engine running at fast idle or better and slowly pour a thin stream of Sea Foam directly into the air intake of the carb. Pour it slowly -- it will run rough and smoke like crazy since you're running on the edge of flooding. Keep it going for about 15-20 seconds or so, then pour it in faster until it does flood and the engine stops. Leave it alone for 10 or 15 minutes and start it back up. You'll get plenty of smoke, but it does a good job of de-gunking the carb. If that doesn't work, you're going to have to take the carb off and dunk it in carb cleaner overnight and do a full-on-cleaning.

[ebinmaine 67,274]

2 hours ago, EricF said:

My experience

I'd agree with all of that in basic principle.

The only thing I might change. Not necessarily disagree. But, change. Is that the last line...

I've gotten to the point where I don't even blink an eye at rebuilding a carburetor as part of my initial to-do list on the tractors or other equipment we've put together.