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

#Buildoff2022

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.

Welp, been a hot minute since I've been in here last. Currently waiting on engine parts. Decided to get a full gasket set. I removed the flywheel and I found out why the charging system was weak. The alternator was COVERED in grease from a leaky crank seal. Nasty nasty nasty. I'm probably going to pull the motor sometime soon to replace the rear PTO seal and then we'll get it back together and reinstall. I also decided to rebuild the starter, and that is also waiting on a new gear and brush retainer (old one was broken at the stud).

I also got a lead on an oil cooler for pretty cheap so I'm going to nab that for the old briggs too.
Next update should be 3 weeks or so out.

I intend to repaint the stock hood for the heck of it and I'm debating between the stock white or the silver that came on the older whites. Let me know what you think!

Well I got bored so I made a vidya on the youtube here.

Well I’m not dead. Had some time to putter so I made these trim panels for the dash.



I also decided to pull the motor. Thoroughly expecting the driveshaft to be a bear to remove, I gently tapped the U-joint with a hammer and liberally applied wd-40 to the set screw holes. To my surprise once I yanked the motor mount bolts it just slid right off. (WINNING!)




Now I can repace the crank seal, and I should probably put new bearings in the drive shaft. They don’t sound good at all, and do not turn freely.

Next step is to rebuild the motor, and to get started on the front axle. My hubs and spindles arrived recently also. I decided on the 5 on 4.5 pattern because it’s more common and it just looks cooler.

Looking good dude! Keep at er!

Got the heads off yesterday. I lapped the valves in, cleaned most of the carbon off (still some in the ports but I don't think I can reach them and they aren't too bad). Funny thing is though that I forgot to label the valves when I lapped them in so yeah. DOH! They should seal fine though.

I do believe I will need new rings though. Some slight smear marks were present on the bore. The pistons have about 12 thou clearance on all sides. Not sure if they're worn or if that's just to compensate for heat expansion. Pistons seem fine otherwise, I'll wire wheel the last of the carbon off tomorrow. Cylinders look good too, glazed and some very minor scratching on # 2 (just a hair on # 1), nothing that a hone can't take off though.

Here's my Motor to-do list:

-Fit oil cooler
-Fit new gaskets and seals
-Rebuild short block, fit new rings
-Hone cylinders
-New oil filter adapter

Gasket set and seals have been ordered. Currently sanding the heads down. # 2 is quite bad as I recall. If I had a mill I’d just machine them .010 under and call it a day but I don’t so I’m just using a glass table top to get as close as I can! Lol. I figure I can’t make it any worse anyways.

Take your time, alternate your pattern, turn the head often and you'll do fine!

Heads are now flush. I went at em with some 220 and that helped a bit. Gaskets and seals are now in stock, and valves are installed. That tool works great for that. I have an engagement next week but I should be able to start the bottom end/short block sometime the week after and from there I’ll tackle the front end next. I need to pick up a ring compressor and a hone anyway before I begin.

We are now down to block on the ol Vanny. Everything’s looking good. Crank is excellent. Cam is perfect, pistons are healthy.  A couple very small scratches were in the bore, so a good hone is obviously in order. Rings looked okay at first, but when measuring the lower compression ring I got over the .30 thou reject.  Bored still have the old honing marks barely visible, which is nice. Crank’s critical dimensions are all 3+ thou over reject so no issues there. I might replace the rods as there are some wear marks visible. I’m not calling them scratches cause I can’t feel them at all. When torqued down, one was nice and tight but the other spun pretty freely (cyl. # 2). So some wear is there I think. I also blued the end of the crank to keep it from rusting hopefully but we’ll see. Now to order some parts and go forward. Let me know if you have any suggestions, first timer at work here! lol.

I also polished the block up a bit just for the heck of it. (Heads are on as a mock up.)

Here’s a better look at the rods. For 84 bucks I’m on the fence about replacing them. I looked on w bay and all the used rods had the same marks, so I’m wondering if it’s really worth changing these out.
# 2:
# 1.


Now if you see the sideways marks, that’s my fingernail scuffing across. So definitely not major scoring, even though the spots look a little dark. I felt no play when I torqued them down. Thoughts?

Looks like pretty normal wear and tear to me and based on what you've said I'd probably reuse them but if your budget allows then $84 for a new pair doesn't sound bad at all. Guess I'm on the fence too, pass me a beer would ya!

I'd probably clean them and continue. Probably assembled without lube.

you might want to get some plastigauge and check the clearance on those rods that could be a decision maker. keep up the good work.

An oil cooler and new filter adapter are mounted. Nice to be able to prefill now. Crankcase cover is now fully lubed and ready to go! Once my rings show up I’ll get her honed and back together.

Bought a gearset and seals too, so transaxle is next in line. Once the motor is done that’s next in line.