My Father’s Tractor

[C141 Fanboy 28]

New member here, my father got me into wheel horses as a kid, even tho I had a cub cadet growing up. He rebuilt a 78 c141 when I was young, and it was his pride and joy. We went to tractor pulls and shows annually with both our tractors. He sold it once he moved to Florida, and he’s regretted it every day. It’s had many owners and seemed to have been abandoned for a while outdoors and it’s not in greatest shape. She Still runs! I have recently acquired this tractor, the same one my father resorted. I don’t know much about engines and stuff, but I want to learn and give this girl her second rebuild! I don’t have the funds to go as far in as my dad did back in the 90’s but I want to spruce her up. From quick searches, it seems they came with a k321as motor, but my dad had custom emblems made when he redid it, and the engine says 12HP on it? 
 

i can get better pics tomorrow, however I’d like to bring back the shine this tractor once had and eventually seek a frame of my own complete rebuild, my way! This one’s for the old man and though we have different style, but he has great taste. 
 

Any advice or potential parts for sale that I may need would highly appreciated! Thank you so much in advance! 
(PICS: 1 new picture, 2 old) 

Edited July 18, 2022 by C141 Fanboy

[SylvanLakeWH 26,597]

 

Great story!

[Retired Wrencher 5,590]

C 141F/boy.  I like others here consider these tractors a labor of love like your dad did. Meaning enjoying them and working on them even if there nothing wrong with them. Just my  enjoy it for what it is.

Edited July 18, 2022 by Retierd Wrencher

[Achto 28,194]

[Pullstart 63,551]

and great story!  Cool feeling to get family stuff back in the family huh?

[ineedanother 1,369]

[953 nut 56,767]

                                

Always great to hear of a second generation showing some love to Dad's old . Since it runs well some well deserved maintenance and a cosmetic restoration should do the trick. Any questions you may run into we are here to help.

[Tractorhead 9,066]

 to 

 

 

[rjg854 11,712]

[johnnymag3 2,558]

    Great to have it back !!!!!!!

 

 

Enjoy, and Welcome to Red Square

 

John

[OutdoorEnvy 1,711]

Cool story and glad you got it back!  Welcome to the forum too! 

 

As for your engine question maybe being a 12hp.  The engine shroud covers would interchange between 12-14hp.  You'll need to see if you can find a serial number on the engine block to know for sure if you have a 12 or 14hp engine.  14 would have been what was stock of course.  But it could have been repowered with a 12hp at some point. 

[Pullstart 63,551]

As for the correct engine, this recent thread kind of proves that there isn’t any way to tell, but to pull the head and measure it. 

 

 

[roadapples 6,983]

[C141 Fanboy 28]

Thanks so much for the responses! It means so much that this thing is with me. Since it is running, it will be getting a tune up asap. This will be a family project and i will keep anyone interested updated on the progress! I will be taking the motor apart to see if I can get any information on the motor, I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions for you guys! I would love to build the trailer my pop's made to match it. him driving me and all my friends around the neighborhood, and Halloween were staples in my childhood I'd like to pass down to my niece and nephew! 

[Daddy Don 907]

[C141 Fanboy 28]

So it seems to be a 321AS, now where do I start?
- I know it runs but I'd like to strip the motor for a fresh coat, and replace whatever I can get new (carb, gaskets, so on) any site or brand recomendations? 

-Since the exhaust is just metal piping that screws directly into the block, I was wondering on any tips or advice to make a quieter muffler for it?
(I want to build the one my dad had Aswell but for the neighborhood's sake, a quiet one i can swap on would be prime)

- I need to find some good condition levers/switches and has anyone upgraded their ignition switch to a modern ATV type? is it possible? i honestly just like the bulky black key they come with. would look sharp in the black dash. 

Again, Thanks for the love, I'm a slow learner (lol) but I did tinker on these things growing up and my passion is exploding with this tractor in my procession! it's going to live a slow retired life with me, want to get her to show quality again, and pull a ultralight trailer for kiddos and my fishing gear!  

Am I asking too much? please let me know if I'm being an annoying noob! (lol) 

Edited July 19, 2022 by C141 Fanboy

[Retired Wrencher 5,590]

. C141 I have used these old style gravely mufflers. they fit easy just about any where. And they are quiet. Amazon has them for under $50. 

 

 

 

[953 nut 56,767]

3 hours ago, C141 Fanboy said:

So it seems to be a 321AS, now where do I start?
- I know it runs but I'd like to strip the motor for a fresh coat, and replace whatever I can get new (carb, gaskets, so on) any site or brand recomendations? Clean and rebuild the carburetor you have, the new Chinese ones are junk. You can get good quality parts here.
https://isavetractors.com/carburetors/kohler-carburetors/?gclid=CjwKCAjwrNmWBhA4EiwAHbjEQBSXO5TgbR3yGOrPEEi-gDEJbzEAW86XpZ55Yp69Zdn9kM8tR2GiqhoCqowQAvD_BwE
-Since the exhaust is just metal piping that screws directly into the block, I was wondering on any tips or advice to make a quieter muffler for it?    Looks like Retired Wrencher has you covered on that.
(I want to build the one my dad had Aswell but for the neighborhood's sake, a quiet one i can swap on would be prime)

- I need to find some good condition levers/switches and has anyone upgraded their ignition switch to a modern ATV type? The replacement switch needs to be compatible with the ignition system on your  is it possible? i honestly just like the bulky black key they come with. would look sharp in the black dash. Wheel Horse padded keys are available out there. Lowell may have some.
Lowell can fix you up, take a look at the great assortment he has to offer. https://wheelhorsepartsandmore.com/product-category/knobs-grips-more-formerly-glen-petitts/
Again, Thanks for the love, I'm a slow learner (lol) but I did tinker on these things growing up and my passion is exploding with this tractor in my procession! it's going to live a slow retired life with me, want to get her to show quality again, and pull a ultralight trailer for kiddos and my fishing gear!  

Am I asking too much? please let me know if I'm being an annoying noob! (lol)   Keep asking.