Dirty Rat - Sears

The more I think of it... 

I really like the idea of the exposed trans in the rear, but I am thinking I really need a hitch on this thing so I could pull a trailer maybe?

? Rat Rods aren't utilitarian nor are they about creature comforts, the whole point of a Rat Rod is to suffer in style! Lol

Brianator wrote:

? Rat Rods aren't utilitarian nor are they about creature comforts,  the whole point of a Rat Rod is to suffer in style!  Lol

I've just watched a lot of Drag and Drive events in the past few months.  It just had me thinking.

You want to do a drag and drive on a lawn tractor?
Actually kind of a good idea, I've consider buying one of the few pulley swapped tractors on Kijji and road tripping it for kicks...
The only drag & drive I watched was the one that VGG did, don't really watch a ton of youtube these days, not really enough time I guess...

The receiver for the hitch doesn’t need to be mounted on a solid back plate, make it a skeleton frame thing.

Nevadablue wrote:

The receiver for the hitch doesn’t need to be mounted on a solid back plate, make it a skeleton frame thing.

Kind of what I am thinking.  Or like a "VERY" minimal version of the back plate.

I think I will table the hitch idea for now.  I did get my locker made for the bull gear on the 2300.  My gasket kit comes tomorrow.  The axle is still to be announced.  I should know more tomorrow.

DANGIT... I forgot my shaft bearings.  I wonder if TSC has them.  I'll check tomorrow.




notches in the for the bull gear hub inner lip.

nice job looks good and solid !

Nice job! I wonder if it would be worthwhile to put spacers on each side of the blocks to give them something more to push against?



Looks like the blocks could use some reinforcement to take the strain off the welds.

Maybe, but the axle would break or the bull gear shatter before those welded on keys made from harden steel would give or the welds.  That and there is some wiggle tolerance in there for a little flex. 

Got the axle today, got the hub installed and transaxle put back together and installed.  Right now she's thicc!  Nice to be back on 4 tires!



This is not the final placement; I do have different tires coming in!

That's awesome! I'm very excited to see a shakedown run!

Brianator wrote:

That's awesome!  I'm very excited to see a shakedown run!

That is still a little way off.  Right now, I am buttoning up the underside of things.  Running the fuel line (decided to go with the standard sears tank).  I am also going to run the power line for the rear taillight.  Get that all sinched up and not stuck.  My belt is still good, so I'll just go with that.  It's coming back together well.

Then I am going to go through the engine.  All new gaskets.  Etc.

With the heims and new bushings in the steering column.  I have zero slop in the steering now.

Beginning of March Update.

Nice work on that locking project. That is a true GEARBOX, it should last forever.

The hood in that video has been repainted.  I decided I didn't like the white.  Changed to antique white.  :-)

I thought I would give a few better looks of TDC.  Still got a way to go, but another step complete!













Now I will turn my attention to the engine and tires!

It's looking really tough, keep up the great work!

Tough? It is BEAUTIFUL! Nice work Jerry, that machine gets better by the minute.

YIKES!

Tore down the engine tonight.  Good thing.  I didn't realize, but the spring clip on cylinder 2 had fell off the intake side.  I checked it over and seen no damage or reason for it to fall off.  The valve moved smoothly and no hangs.  I also found that the base/sump had a small plug that was leaking the oil.  I cleaned it and put some loctite on it.  Debating going ahead with the other gaskets or not.  I'd hate to break it down and strip a bolt out to change a gasket that doesn't need changed.  It did have a blown gasket on cylinder 1.  The valve gasket with the spring that fell off leaked pretty good as well.  Everything else looked great.  Valves moved great.  Top and bottom seal looked great.  Governor was bent.  Fixed that. Both intake gaskets were MIA.  No slop in the valves once the one was fixed.  I forgot to check piston slop.  The cylinder bores look good.  Only minor scratches but no grooving.  I'll continue my going over the engine tomorrow.  Not sure how the starter still works.  Looks to be the original and very rusty on the outside.

MightyRaze wrote:

YIKES!

Tore down the engine tonight.  Good thing.  I didn't realize, but the spring clip on cylinder 2 had fell off the intake side.  I checked it over and seen no damage or reason for it to fall off.  The valve moved smoothly and no hangs.  I also found that the base/sump had a small plug that was leaking the oil.  I cleaned it and put some loctite on it.  Debating going ahead with the other gaskets or not.  I'd hate to break it down and strip a bolt out to change a gasket that doesn't need changed.  It did have a blown gasket on cylinder 1.  The valve gasket with the spring that fell off leaked pretty good as well.  Everything else looked great.  Valves moved great.  Top and bottom seal looked great.  Governor was bent.  Fixed that. Both intake gaskets were MIA.  No slop in the valves once the one was fixed.  I forgot to check piston slop.  The cylinder bores look good.  Only minor scratches but no grooving.  I'll continue my going over the engine tomorrow.  Not sure how the starter still works.  Looks to be the original and very rusty on the outside.

Oh, gee, I'm sitting here trying to remember what engine is in this girl...
Do you mind refreshing our memories?

Briggs Opposed twin.  She's a bit worn, but I will ride with it for now.  Should a nice Kohler M18 show up, I may have to swap.

Nice old engine. I wish I could find one around here. Do you like V or opposed better?

Nevadablue wrote:

Nice old engine. I wish I could find one around here. Do you like V or opposed better?

Honestly, not sure.  Opposed are all over the place here.  V's are starting to show more and more.  I'd give either a go.  V's are still pricy.

I do have a VTwin that I may upgrade Red in the future.  I'm kind of sitting on that engine at the moment.  My actual mower is starting to blow blue smoke now from time to time.  Not bad for hours on hours of use for the past 16 years.  Little single intek on my craftsman mower has been a trooper.  I was hoping to get the suburban deck fixed so I could do an overhaul of the craftsman this spring, but it's going to have to wait.

I was a busy guy yesterday.  All work and no pix or video unfortunately.  I'll try to get ya some pix of the progress last night.  I think you will enjoy!

I'm pulling one out of @Wheelinhorse's playbook!