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 WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"

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Crazy_Carl
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TedTheDestroyer
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PostSubject: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeMay 29th 2017, 12:19 am

Got this old 1978-79 wheelhorse from a family member today. Was told something broke in the engine a long time ago, but it's been sitting inside a shed since then. Not completely sure what my plans are for it yet, that all depends on how bad the engine is.

WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Img_2013

WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Img_2015

WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Img_2012

WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Img_2014

WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Img_2016


Last edited by TedTheDestroyer on December 18th 2017, 11:22 pm; edited 1 time in total
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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeMay 29th 2017, 9:22 am

A K181, nice! 8 horse? I cant remember what those were rated at. The trans and drawbar on that thing look indestructible!


"This'll either wake you up or put you to sleep forever!"- Red Green         "Whatever you do you should do right, even if it's something wrong." - Hank Hill
     
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 Garden Tractor Collection: Allis B-110 x2, 710, 716, & 410 - Wheel Horse 655, 953 & 500 Special - Case 444 - Bolens Versamatic, G10 & 1668 Diesel Swapped - Cub 106, 124 & 1000/149 Frankentractor - Ford 120, LGT 125 & 145 - White 1650 Yard Boss - Moto Mower 710-100
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MatthewD
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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeMay 29th 2017, 10:30 am

Kohler K181's were rated at 8hp Smile That looks in really good shape for it's age man!
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TedTheDestroyer
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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeMay 31st 2017, 8:15 am

The good news is that it runs, the bad news is that it makes a very unhappy sound when it does
https://youtu.be/zlOuOBr7yes
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AllisKidD21
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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeMay 31st 2017, 9:21 am

Ooooh, that's bad. Sounds like a worn crank journal or rod bearing.


"This'll either wake you up or put you to sleep forever!"- Red Green         "Whatever you do you should do right, even if it's something wrong." - Hank Hill
     
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 Garden Tractor Collection: Allis B-110 x2, 710, 716, & 410 - Wheel Horse 655, 953 & 500 Special - Case 444 - Bolens Versamatic, G10 & 1668 Diesel Swapped - Cub 106, 124 & 1000/149 Frankentractor - Ford 120, LGT 125 & 145 - White 1650 Yard Boss - Moto Mower 710-100
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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeMay 31st 2017, 9:44 am

Oh I'm sure its fine Wink

I would see about finding a new rod bearing (or rod if they're one piece) and maybe machine the crank. Rings are likely fine if it runs that well other than the knock. Those older engines were kind of underrated, so 8 hp might be more like 12 or 14 nowadays
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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeNovember 2nd 2017, 6:57 am

Hey I've got that same exact C-81 that I have a build thread on right now. These tractors are built solid.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what you do with yours.
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TedTheDestroyer
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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeNovember 5th 2017, 8:58 pm

Tore it down this weekend to find that there was only one bolt holding the connecting rod on the crank (which was also working its way out). I polished the majority of the gouges out of the connecting rod and put it back together. There was a ding on the dipper but it should be fine. Surprising how little damage for having a bolt let loose inside the crankcase.

WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Img_2010

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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeNovember 5th 2017, 9:04 pm

Did you measure the crank jounral? I would... It could be out of round or slightly wore all the way around by a bit. The rod could be bad too, it all depends on how long it has been run with that bolt missing.


"This'll either wake you up or put you to sleep forever!"- Red Green         "Whatever you do you should do right, even if it's something wrong." - Hank Hill
     
      - MTD Off-Road Build
      - Ford LT 110 Off-Road Build
      - Craftsman GT 6000 Off-Road Build
       - Sears LT11 Rat Rod Build *2019 Build-Off Winner!*


 Garden Tractor Collection: Allis B-110 x2, 710, 716, & 410 - Wheel Horse 655, 953 & 500 Special - Case 444 - Bolens Versamatic, G10 & 1668 Diesel Swapped - Cub 106, 124 & 1000/149 Frankentractor - Ford 120, LGT 125 & 145 - White 1650 Yard Boss - Moto Mower 710-100
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TedTheDestroyer
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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeNovember 5th 2017, 9:09 pm

I didn't measure anything on it before putting it back together. I was told it got put in a shed as soon it started acting up. Here's a video of it now.

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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeNovember 5th 2017, 10:18 pm

Sounds pretty healthy
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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeNovember 5th 2017, 10:28 pm

Yeah she does sound pretty good!


"This'll either wake you up or put you to sleep forever!"- Red Green         "Whatever you do you should do right, even if it's something wrong." - Hank Hill
     
      - MTD Off-Road Build
      - Ford LT 110 Off-Road Build
      - Craftsman GT 6000 Off-Road Build
       - Sears LT11 Rat Rod Build *2019 Build-Off Winner!*


 Garden Tractor Collection: Allis B-110 x2, 710, 716, & 410 - Wheel Horse 655, 953 & 500 Special - Case 444 - Bolens Versamatic, G10 & 1668 Diesel Swapped - Cub 106, 124 & 1000/149 Frankentractor - Ford 120, LGT 125 & 145 - White 1650 Yard Boss - Moto Mower 710-100
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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeNovember 6th 2017, 7:23 am

That sounds really similar to mine. You have the nice factory exhaust.
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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeNovember 6th 2017, 10:54 am

She does sound pretty good.


WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Sig115PROJECTS:
     Marshal ........93 Craftsman GT6000      
     Red Bandit ...72 Wheel Horse Raider 12
     Dirty Rat........77 Sears Suburban
     Bowser..........01 Murray Widebody LT
     Other projects
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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeNovember 6th 2017, 1:41 pm

TedTheDestroyer wrote:
Got this old 1978-79 wheelhorse from a family member today. Was told something broke in the engine a long time ago, but it's been sitting inside a shed since then. Not completely sure what my plans are for it yet, that all depends on how bad the engine is.

WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Img_2013

WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Img_2015

WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Img_2012

WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Img_2014

WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Img_2016
WOW what  a nice looking Machine.
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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeNovember 7th 2017, 9:37 pm

Currently I've been starting it with a screwdriver since the key hasn't been working for the starter so I'm thinking I need a new solenoid. I'm not sure what would make it stop working since it worked when I made the first vid in this thread and has been sitting inside since. My plans are to eventually get Interco Vampires for the back and something semi-aggressive for the front.
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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeNovember 8th 2017, 6:04 am

I had an intermitten starting issue with mine too. When it wouldn’t want to start I would just wiggle the solenoid and it would turn over.
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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeNovember 8th 2017, 8:55 am

Maybe check the ground between the frame and the solenoid. They're cheap, but worth a shot
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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeNovember 8th 2017, 12:59 pm

How does one "wiggle the solenoid"
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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeNovember 8th 2017, 1:14 pm

Basically on the style solenoid I have the plastic housing is riveted to the metal bracket that bolts to a plate on the engine. When mine won't turn over I wiggle that loose plastic housing side to side a little bit and it works. I've already picked up a new one, I'm just crunched for time to install it right now.
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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeNovember 12th 2017, 11:54 pm

This weekend I fixed my starting issue, it was the safety switch for the mower deck handle that I had removed. I also converted the mower deck height handle to a brake lever like you see in drift cars. I then used the old brake pedal as a gas pedal. I drove past a digital speed sign in town and found out it tops out at 18mph.

WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Img_2013

WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Img_2012

WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Img_2014
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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeNovember 13th 2017, 12:04 am

That's pretty cool! That Wheel Horse is looking good!


WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Sig115PROJECTS:
     Marshal ........93 Craftsman GT6000      
     Red Bandit ...72 Wheel Horse Raider 12
     Dirty Rat........77 Sears Suburban
     Bowser..........01 Murray Widebody LT
     Other projects
Have a question? Ask me! Type in "@MightyRaze" in your post!
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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeNovember 13th 2017, 7:22 pm

Looks good! One of these days I'm getting a Wheel Horse. They're so cool!
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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeNovember 14th 2017, 11:46 am

Nice mods man! I’d love to see pictures of your pulley swap and your handbrake set up. How does that Kohler engine with the heavy flywheel like the fast action of the foot throttle? Are you using the governor? FYI I used wires from the factory harness, some new wire connectors and a great wiring diagram for a C-81 to completely rewire my tractor to eliminate the problematic seat, PTO, and clutch switches. I basically just had to run wires from the ignition switch directly to the coil, solenoid, battery, and rectifyer. The whole process took about an hour.
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PostSubject: Re: WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony"   WheelHorse C-81 "Mud Pony" Icon_minitimeNovember 14th 2017, 12:47 pm

It responds pretty good to the foot throttle and yes I am using the governor. I'll get some pictures at the end of the week.
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