'74 C160 Tecumseh engine tractor. Let's put it to use!

[ebinmaine 67,484]

I've been very lucky over the last (5?) years to find or be gifted (thanks again @Docwheelhorse ) a total of  four  C160s. 

Two of the ones I have are the 1974 model year with the reportedly rare Tecumseh OVH160 engine. One is a future project mentioned above, from Tony. 

The other, the subject of this thread,  is literally a "Barn find" in the truest form. 

It was part of an estate (with 3 other Wheelhorses) from Port Clyde Maine. 

It was setting in a garage bay ... Buried ... Like REALLY buried... By paperwork, boat parts, seat cushions, boat gas tanks, etc...

The widow I got it from did NOT know she owned it. That garage bay hadn't been accessed in a long time.   

Set this to thought for a second. The garage could be opened. The tractor was about a foot from the door. 

And there was such a stack of ... Items... The tractor could not be seen. 

WOW. 

 

I made a video showing the beast. 

 

 

Here're some stills. 

 

 

 

 

 

I'll be using the "New to the herd" list we put together to literally ✅ off things to be looked at, replaced, repaired etc.  

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,484]

 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,557]

Just one question… Colossus, you remember Colossus..? Gas gonna be $10/gal by time it’s done?

 

 Youz gots to focus boy… squirrel!!!

 

[ebinmaine 67,484]

1 minute ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

focus boy… squirrel!!!

Something shiny went by.... 

[Lee1977 6,659]

Four - C-160s,  EB you need to learn how to share with your friends.  

[roadapples 6,983]

1 hour ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

 Gas gonna be $10/gal by time it’s done?

 

 

 

Doubt if it will be done that soon....

[SylvanLakeWH 25,557]

Just now, roadapples said:

Doubt if it will be done that soon....

Good point! Next week is too much to ask of BBT… er… @ebinmaine… 

[WHX?? 48,815]

They sure busting some stones EB... I best just come get it..... 

[Achto 27,571]

3 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

Set this to thought for a second. The garage could be opened. The tractor was about a foot from the door. 

And there was such a stack of ... Items... The tractor could not be seen.

 

This... THIS is what we really needed a picture if Eric. If they are laying in an interesting place when you find them ya just gotta remember to take pic's.

 

Please try to remember next time. K? 

Edited June 7, 2022 by Achto

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,041]

The hoodstand is a different part number so wonder if it was custom made to keep the hood level? Different supplier - different paint.

[ebinmaine 67,484]

7 minutes ago, gwest_ca said:

The hoodstand is a different part number so wonder if it was custom made to keep the hood level? Different supplier - different paint.

Now that is interesting. I'd always thought the only change was the hinges. 

I'll have to whip out the tape measure sometime. 

 

7 hours ago, Lee1977 said:

Four - C-160s,  EB you need to learn how to share with your friends.  

 

Honestly Sir... That got a good laugh outta me and BBT. 

 

@kpinnc would agree!

 

5 hours ago, Achto said:

 

This... THIS is what we really needed a picture if Eric. If they are laying in an interesting place when you find them ya just gotta remember to take pic's.

 

Please try to remember next time. K? 

 

Oh I SOOO wish I'd been able to. 

It was de-buried by the time @JCM and I got there to fetch it.  

 

6 hours ago, WHX?? said:

They sure busting some stones EB... I best just come get it..... 

 

I love that you're so ((helpful??)) to me. 😂

 

[ebinmaine 67,484]

35 minutes ago, gwest_ca said:

The hoodstand is a different part number so wonder if it was custom made to keep the hood level? Different supplier - different paint.

@gwest_ca Garry, would you mind posting or pm-ing that information to me?

Interesting info that I can print out and set aside....

 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,041]

I may be wrong on this. 1975 has a different part number for the hoodstand.

What else is different other than front hood hinges, 1" exhaust nipple and solenoid bracket.

 

 

[Pullstart 62,854]

As bad a rap as Tecky engines get, I’ve had some good runners.  This’ll be a cool survivor EB!

[ebinmaine 67,484]

33 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

As bad a rap as Tecky engines get, I’ve had some good runners.  This’ll be a cool survivor EB!

 

There are two things that give them a bad reputation. Finicky carburetor and high cost to repair issues with ignition system.

 

Structurally speaking the early to mid 70s Tec Big blocks are  a good engine. 

 

 

I know I have spark on this one but I really don't know much about the carb yet.

Likely this carb has been replaced ... it appears to have some yellow paint on it.

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,484]

I got the front end up about 14, 15 inches off the shop floor and drained the transmission fluid.

Drain plug backed right out with no argument. 

No water. Good sign. 

The oil really didn't look all that bad. 

Expecting a rainy day today so I'll get some done on this rig.  

 

[ebinmaine 67,484]

[ebinmaine 67,484]

 

 

 

 

Turns out after having drained the transmission overnight there was probably less than a quart in this 8-speed.

I cleaned off the bottom a little bit and installed a magnetic drain plug.

 

 

I cleaned off the engine oil drain tube. Tightened up the tube and loosened up the end cap. Drained the engine oil. That was as black as can be.

 

 

Level was about right.

While cleaning that off I discovered that one of the base plate bolts is nearly falling out.

 

 

Engine oil capacity Tecumseh OHV 160 is verified on the dipstick at 1.5 qts. 

Filled it with Kinetix HD 30.  

 

 

Got the seat pan taken off so I can have better access to the transmission, brake setup.

Those of you who have been to my house will recognize the number on the bottom. I did not put that there. I found that to be a VERY interesting coincidence.

 

 

Definitely at least two bent rods on this tractor somehow. The one that goes to the brake shoe and the one that is the clutch are both curved and contacting each other.

 

 

Also found out why someone may have removed the clutch safety switch. Note the bracket that holds it is bent completely down. I wondered about this until I started messing with the clutch linkage and discovered that the pedal actually goes down PAST the point of flat. Haven't the foggiest why that would be.... 

 

 

 

 

Not only does this tractor have the very rare flexible steering wheel option but also the multi-piece shifter boot option. 

 

 

Edited June 9, 2022 by ebinmaine

[ebinmaine 67,484]

Looks like maybe I'm missing an air directing piece of sheet metal here?

Any thoughts?

 

[Handy Don 12,217]

17 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Looks like maybe I'm missing an air directing piece of sheet metal here?

Any thoughts?

Yep.

 

Oh, you want me to share them? 

 

That piece of tin was of some shop floor and eventually thrown out. Hopefully not too hard to fab a replacement.

[ebinmaine 67,484]

16 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

. Hopefully not too hard to fab a replacement.

 

I have another one of these engines so I'll check that one when I get a minute... 

[ebinmaine 67,484]

Well I made some progress today. 

Rear wheels are off and set in the parts pile. 

Hubs are soaking with old school Liquid Wrench spray penetrant. 

 

 

 

Can you peoples believe the hitch pin actually came right out??

A little penetrating oil. A little tapping back n forth. 

Voila !

 

 

Me n' this gas tank had a little talk.  

It wasn't particularly willing to let go of the valve. 

 

 

 

@JCM gave me some advice and I figured it out. Thanks Jim!!

 

 

 

 

Some yutz installed the old valve on TOP of the fuel tank holding shelf. 

The valve was jammed up in between the tank and the shelf completely inoperable.  

 

This left a fair upward bow in the bottom of the tank. 

 

 

I got it levered out and cleaned the tank interior and exterior with a handful of 3/8 lock washers and soap and water.  

 

I made a gasket for the cap and drilled 2 small holes near the middle for air ventilation. 

 

 

 

After cleanup I found that this tank has a cast number on it. I assume it's the build date.  

 

 

 

[JCM 9,163]

I would like to be there to watch those hubs come off at some point.       

[ebinmaine 67,484]

3 minutes ago, JCM said:

I would like to be there to watch those hubs come off at some point.       

If you're free tomorrow afternoon or anytime the weekend come on up

[ebinmaine 67,484]

@Achto

Here's the pics from the day me n @JCM Jim went n got the formerly buried tractor.  

 

In the last pic you can clearly see where the door was shut by the sun stain. 

Imagine that the garage bay was SO FULL of boat cushions and paperwork and....stuff. The widow didn't know this thing was there.