(2001) Murray Widebody LT - Bowser

MightyRaze wrote:

I know. Sad thing… I can see who and when members log on. There are about 20-30 members that log in weekly but never say anything anymore. There are a couple admins that haven’t logged in for over a year.  At this rate why bother with build offs. No fun with just one or two people.

Sorry that the build didn’t work out for you. I agree that forum traffic has slowed down pretty drastically these past couple months.


Speaking of the admins, Did something happen to Doc’s account? I have seen him post on YouTube but he’s not been on here in quite a while.

Rustbucket Garage wrote:

Speaking of the admins, Did something happen to Doc’s account? I have seen him post on YouTube but he’s not been on here in quite a while.

Nope, his account is fine. Just hasn't logged in since Dec 2019.

So the itch hasn't died on this, but I am at full stop.  I would like to find a single cylendar 14-18hp Briggs for this build.  I would go as low as 12, but all the mower scrappers are out again now that mow season is coming to a close.  Really hard to find anything reasonably priced.  Best I found in my area is 150 for a whole tractor with a good motor or 300 for an engine alone.  Yikes... considering I got this tractor for $30.  Too bad an oppy wouldn't fit under the hood.  I have a couple of those.

The obvious solution is to make the hood fit the engine. 

Take care of the back first.

Nevadablue wrote:

The obvious solution is to make the hood fit the engine. 

Take care of the back first.

LOL, the opposed is WAY taller than the Vtwin.  

I'm definitely taking care of the back first.  Today is the first day that I was able to sit instead of stand and lay down.  I know laying down is a big no no, but I had to find a way to relax.  I just wish I could heal a bit faster.  I'm not going to complain much.  I'm not a spring chicken anymore.

Nevadablue wrote:

The obvious solution is to make the hood fit the engine. 

There may actually be a second option. I do have an opposed hood for a 1985 Murray GT I might could mod to fit. I had it on Li’l Red for a while.

Now you’re talking. Dream BIG. Sounds like fun.

Great news. Bowser saw some work today. With some guidance my daughter swapped the broken v out and installed my spare opposed in today!

Removing broken engine. Saturday…



Removing donor engine. Sunday…





Installing donor on Bowser. 





Broken engine ready for repair and storage. 



I was shocked the hood fit around the opposed. I think I can make it work after all. The red hood was a no go. 



Pretty productive day. Daughter had a blast. She did very well. I was proud. 

Ignore that exhaust for now. I’ll be putting Kal’s exhaust on it later. I have other plans for Kal. In the future.

after a few more builds imma have to revive my widebody lt

I've been wanting to get a widebody for a long while.

Well it’s up and driving.



On a side note, I busted into that vtwin. It was the governor.  

Oh and it has a blown head gasket too.

was the vtwin over revving? mine has no throttle control and revves up and down until the valve spring retainers let go its a vanguard

It didn't over rev until the governor let go.

New Governor is installed!



Glad I got a head gasket kit.  They were blown pretty good.  The other one was not much better.



Also, it was missing the intake gaskets it appeared.  Could be the reason it ran a little rough.  I got those in the head gasket kit as well.

All buttoned back up and ready to go.  I'm beginning to think... Lil' Red again for this engine.  

Man... these engines just want me to work on them.

Went to start Bowser today after putting a newer good battery in it.  Went to start and didn't get a full rotation of the flywheel "clunk."  This one is a first...

The magnet"s" inside just "shattered"



And that dug into the armature...



Upon further inspection, I see that the top bushing is worn out or bent during the crash.  It's pretty egg shaped.



If that part hadn't been messed up, I'm pretty sure I could have swapped the top end to a newer style starter to make it work.  Oh well, off to the jungle site for a new Chinese one.  We all know that's where they are all from.

I also changed out the hand throttle to one that works.  The one I had on it just flexed instead of actually working.  I did decide that I am not going to put on a foot throttle at this time for the daughter.  I am also going to put on hold the front bumper at this time.

I think I will look for some hubs for the 3/4 axle and wheels to match before I change out tires.

What a disaster! Arrggg! 

I’ll be watching for your hubs. Right now, I plan to put oilite shouldered bushings in the wheels I have for the Rat. Real bearings would be nice for the long run, but that means new wheels, etc, etc... plus $$

Hubs may be a little while.  Just had a $700 emergency vet bill last weekend.  That's another story for another day.

Hubs that I am looking at are:

Husqvarna hub 532199844


With standard 8" wheel.  Wouldn't want to go much bigger due to 3/4 axle:


I may or may not go ahead with a new tire.  Those ones I was looking at are starting to fall apart.  I bet they tear coming off those old MTD rims.  If I remember right one did have a tear and required a tube.

Scratch that on the 5 lugs..... stock is low so now they are $$$$  I'll go with a 4on4 pattern.  Hubs and wheels are cheaper. If I do I can get some FANCY golf cart wheels.  LOL.

Maybe some Cragar wheels?  


Nope...  LOL too much.

You are talking rear hubs? I went with the 4x4, 3/4” bore. I think they were 18 bucks each. I do have to drill and tap them for set screws though.

I want some real hubs for the front too.

I've used these.  Just have to trim down if needed to fit your spindle.

4x4 Wheel Hub - GoPowerSports.com the 1-3/8 Bearing style.  Get some bearings for your spindle size.

I've used these too, but their shipping is getting costly. Again trim as needed, for 1 3/8 bearing OD.  They come with a 5/8 bore bearing, but can be popped out for 3/4.

4 x 4 Galvanized Wheel Hub (Front with 5/8" Bearing) | K260055 | Carlisle Tire and Wheel 260055K | BMI Karts And Parts

The BMIKART one..

Thanks, that first link looks like what I need. Now to find wheels and tires.

Well, I just remembered that I have a set of 5.30 x 12 tires and wheels I bought for the camper I’m building. The project has languished... and the tires are almost twice as much as I paid for them a few years ago. Hmmm... these are about 22” outside diameter, 4 on 4 bolt pattern.

So after several days thinking about it.  I'll save on the hubs, and just use the wheels I do have and transfer those tires over.  I did check it them out and they will be ok with tubes which I do have.  Might also think about a front tire replacement as well.  No rush though.

Did get the rear tires swapped over.  I installed the rubber to the wheel.  Daughter did the rest.  I'm going to let her install the new starter when it comes in a couple days.

Figure these tires would be a good match for the rear...



I'll look into getting a pair in a few weeks