Jakeshorsetuff 36 #1 Posted April 21, 2022 (edited) Hi everyone!! I picked up this 551 barn find in Pennsylvania a few months ago for a complete all original restoration! In my eyes I’ve seen a few of these for sale in the last 5 years but they were all either hacked up, modified, or didn’t have the correct engine, so I knew when this one came up I had to buy it as there is very few that are still around in decent shape. My plans for it are to spend the next couple months locating parts so we can call it an all original 551,(I’m big about keeping the round hoods all original). Once I have all the parts I need I’ll begin the make over to a perfect show piece tractor. As of right now I’m trying to find the correct front rims that the 551 used in 1961. I have four rims that are all close to matching but not one is an exact match. I know wheel horse filled the fronts with calcium chloride(thanks for the correction @WHX??) so a lot rotted out. Out of the four I have I think one of them is correct but not sure 🤔. I’ll attach quite a bit of pictures of what I have and the tractor it’s self so you can all see what I have. I’ll be posting updates of this project throughout the process so feel free to follow along and give any insight or thoughts. Thank you, Jake Edited April 21, 2022 by Jakeshorsetuff 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jakeshorsetuff 36 #5 Posted April 21, 2022 (edited) Edited April 21, 2022 by Jakeshorsetuff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jakeshorsetuff 36 #6 Posted April 21, 2022 (edited) Edited April 21, 2022 by Jakeshorsetuff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,494 #8 Posted April 21, 2022 (edited) 3 hours ago, Jakeshorsetuff said: filled the fronts with magnesium Calcium chloride is what they used & the salt in them is what does rims in. It's tricky knowing what's the correct rim. I always start by looking at the rim edge. Correct ones are going to have a sharp curve towards the center more so than some other rims. Also correct ones will most likely have bushings instead of bearings. These could have been PO changed out tho. Not good pics but for sure an original off a 400. I just went through this trying to get correct ones for a 701. Almost thinkin your # 2 and 4 are correct but they all look really close. Maybe @Lane Ranger can chime in on this. Edited April 21, 2022 by WHX?? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,494 #9 Posted April 21, 2022 @gwest_ca note his serial number. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 17,114 #10 Posted April 22, 2022 Factory correct rim would be the one with the 2 holes 1960 had the one hole To be honest, no one but you will ever know the difference anyway so finding good rims that fit correctly is key to success for a restoration project.. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,494 #11 Posted April 22, 2022 (edited) Right on 'Fish ...I never did find two exact matching ones for a 701. Real close but you woulda had to look hard. Figured anyone called me out on my resto we is going to fisticuffs. You want me to do what with this? OK game on..... Edited April 22, 2022 by WHX?? 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jakeshorsetuff 36 #12 Posted April 22, 2022 13 hours ago, wallfish said: Factory correct rim would be the one with the 2 holes 1960 had the one hole To be honest, no one but you will ever know the difference anyway so finding good rims that fit correctly is key to success for a restoration project.. You’re spot on wallfish!! The one that has the two holes in it has an edge that doesn’t point directly to the center, so that one would date to 1961 551. The one that points more towards the center and has one hole is from a 1960 400 I think. WHX?? Pointed out the curve of the edge. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jakeshorsetuff 36 #13 Posted April 22, 2022 I have a guy in PA that has a few rims for sale so I’m having him check and see if he has any rims that match mine. There’s one that has a significant curve so fingers crossed it matches🤞 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jakeshorsetuff 36 #14 Posted April 22, 2022 12 hours ago, WHX?? said: Right on 'Fish ...I never did find two exact matching ones for a 701. Real close but you woulda had to look hard. Figured anyone called me out on my resto we is going to fisticuffs. You want me to do what with this? OK game on..... Looks like a 701 axle with matching rims. He is selling it for $25 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,494 #15 Posted April 22, 2022 (edited) Nope not a 701 or 702. That is a 753 front end and most likely won't have correct '61 rims. 701/702 had one single tie rod attached to a drag link and the front of the axle is cut out. 753 front end. Edited April 22, 2022 by WHX?? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jakeshorsetuff 36 #16 Posted April 23, 2022 Thank you for correcting me WHX. You can definitely tell I’m not a master at identifying wheel horse parts😂. I can give you his contact information if you want to buy it for the spindles¿ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,494 #17 Posted April 23, 2022 1 hour ago, Jakeshorsetuff said: Thank you for correcting me WHX. You can definitely tell I’m not a master at identifying wheel horse parts😂. I'm not either still learning myself. 1 hour ago, Jakeshorsetuff said: I can give you his contact information if you want to buy it for the spindles¿ No not needed as just realized the steering arms are different from '61 or '62 so won't work. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jakeshorsetuff 36 #18 Posted April 23, 2022 Amazes me how wheel horse changed the parts ever so slightly that you barely even notice. Perfect example as to one pair of spindle brackets are straight and the other ones are slightly angled. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
