I measured 5 to 6 times and trans pulley still came out a hair off. Not too worried about that. It’s good enough.
I only got around to putting on the rears and making a new steering link today. Work and visiting family took up the rest of the day. Also it was hot. 91f with 99% humidity today. Almost cut the air with a knife. Tomorrow I’ll see about painting the steering link.
5/8 rod should be overly strong. Lol.
Biggest concern is will this thing be nose up. And how much?
As mentioned, things have slowed down quite a bit. All that has been done is oil refilled in the trans, vent line running to the dash. Fuel line ready for the engine to be reinstalled. Fuel tank also reinstalled.
At this point I think I am going to cut out a new clean engine plate from a Murray GT carcass I have in the back yard. It will be 100 times better than the jagged one that was on the tractor. Should work fine.
Friday, I hope to order some 4on4 hubs for the front. I also hope to look into cleaning up the engine maybe redo the valve cover gaskets. They may just need to be snugged back up. Not bad, but some seepage happened at one time. Then get the engine back on the tractor so I can start measuring for a belt. Hopefully I have one already the right size.
Another step closer. I went ahead and reused the engine plate that was on it. After cutting off the jagged edges, it wasn't so bad. This time it is properly bolted to the frame. Engine looks good, remounted.
Just a little bit more done. Slow progress for me... some may call it fast. Lower steering tower reinstalled. Also had a belt that worked! 93" seems to be right! I have another on hand. Possibly when I did the craftsman gasser in the past.
Headlights/Taillights L/R Blinkers and Hazards Brake light
Much like I did with my Sasquatch II buld a few years back. Right now I am riding the fence, not like it would be used, but could be a cool conversation neato thing.
Not too much today, I did hit the steering wheel with the propane torch to blacken it back up.
Hit the dash as well. Also started the process of wiring! I did determine the key switch that was in it, is BAD. New one will be needed.
So, I have decided I think I will do the full lights. Using my diagram from Sasquatch II build. I will need:
key switch
on/off/on switch for blinkers
on/off for hazard
momentary for a horn, I haven't even thought about a horn! I do have an oogah horn on the shelf I will probably use.
reinstall the brake saftey switch for the brake light planned. Relay will be used since I think the switch is always on and connection broken when pressed.
Been a very busy day today. The tractor is wired up. Only wiring left is lights side on the fenders and grill. That will have to wait until after paint. Hoping to get some sun out soon for some good painting. Also, it is now sitting on all 4 the dirt track tires. My 4 on 4 hubs came in, modified and installed. Realized I bent one of my wheels today when spinning it. Oh well, it's a tractor, not a NASCAR.
Now to clean up and repaint the cammo'd body panels something other than cammo. Wire in the lights. Headlights will need some help. I think of the studs for the lights mount may need tacked back in. Also, one of the bulb receptacles are missing the center connector.
I did however take the time today to do a little video installing my 4 on 4 hubs on the tractor!
I also got the dash throttle and choke connected up as well, it's almost ready to ride again.
Once I get the footboards on again, I'll make up a foot throttle.
Yeah, it's paint. I didn't do too much prep for it. I scuffed up what was there and painted over it. The gloss shows the scratches in the light. I didn't realize it had so many. LOL.
Had trouble with it popping out of High. I'll have to look at that later. I think I need to look at @AllisKidD21's GT6k thread for some reference at some point.
Found it interesting I only achieved 16mph. I got 23 on the Craftsman II Hotrod. It had a stock trans and a 9 inch engine. This one has a 6.5 inch rear and 8 inch engine. Also, this engine is strong until you hit about 3k RPM and it starts falling on it's face. I'll look into that in the near future.
Subject: 
May 4th 2023, 9:21 pm
