[22 BO] Rustbucket Garage’s - 1997 White 2055 “White Lightning”

Hello all! This is a continuation of my existing MTD White Build. This is the original thread.



Overview

The goal is to do a complete restoration of this tractor with some customizations applied. This includes:

-Engine refresh
-Transaxle rebuild
-New hydraulic lines
-New wiring harness
-tighten steering slop
-Fresh paint job done right (from bare steel)
-Front axle rebuild and 4 on 4 trailer hub conversion
-New tires (or at least new to me)
-Fit custom muffler and custom hood
-If possible a matching trailer done with larch planks

Background

I bought this tractor for $200 two years ago. It’s a model 992 MTD, and has a 20hp Vanguard Twin. Has a 2 barrel Nikki, and has a 35 cubic inch displacement. The transmission is an Eaton 11 mated to a Peerless 2500. This is a shaft-drive hydro that can reach upwards of 800 foot pounds of torque in low range.

Anything else I have to add will be listed later.

Welcome to the party man!

[adm]Welcome Officially to the Build-Off.  I took care of the schematics of topic location.  I'm going to lock your other for the time being.

[/adm]

Welcome to the BO cult... ture 

[adm]Sorry @Rustbucket Garage I forgot to attach your badge and put you in the group.  That has been completed now.[/adm]

No worries. I hardly noticed lol.

I got all the engine tins repainted and the carburetor has been cleaned. My jet for cyl #2 and needle arrived (both NOS) and I got them installed. The float now sits more level, but there is some play between the float and needle. Not sure if that’s a problem but I doubt it. Got to get the throttle seal, a couple gaskets, a solenoid plug, and the carburetor is done!

I’m also going to splurge on a complete engine gasket set, so I intend to pull both heads, clean the pistons, lap the valves, and all that good stuff.

Thought I’d mention as a side note too here that I know progress has been slow but I’ve been sick and before that very stressed these last couple of weeks. After everything it turns out I lost 20 lbs and I’m averaging about 5-6 hours of sleep a night which isn’t helping. I’m going to order some parts next week and see about doing a leak down test, but I need to borrow the tool from a buddy. So anyways it’s not a fast-paced thing but it’ll be picking up a little here before too much longer.

Relax man you have 7 months until the deadline! Rest up, get well then get after it! Lol

Rustbucket Garage wrote:

Thought I’d mention as a side note too here that I know progress has been slow but I’ve been sick and before that very stressed these last couple of weeks. After everything it turns out I lost 20 lbs and I’m averaging about 5-6 hours of sleep a night which isn’t helping. I’m going to order some parts next week and see about doing a leak down test, but I need to borrow the tool from a buddy. So anyways it’s not a fast-paced thing but it’ll be picking up a little here before too much longer.

Have fun with it, don't stress over it.

I have just gotten enough parts to start on the front axle of mine and in fact just today came home from work and took one of the pieces of 3.5" round steel stock and turned it on the lathe just to see how rough it is-I'll have a lot of lathe time on these.

My goal for the build off project is NOT to take it out in the woods and beat the snot out of it but to use it around the property to do lots of work for me as I beat the snot out of it.

Rustbucket Garage wrote:

Thought I’d mention as a side note too here that I know progress has been slow but I’ve been sick and before that very stressed these last couple of weeks. After everything it turns out I lost 20 lbs and I’m averaging about 5-6 hours of sleep a night which isn’t helping. I’m going to order some parts next week and see about doing a leak down test, but I need to borrow the tool from a buddy. So anyways it’s not a fast-paced thing but it’ll be picking up a little here before too much longer.

Yep, I was sick last week too, pretty nasty stomach flu going around down here.