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Cub Cadet

Wheel Horse RJ-58 Restoration

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14 minutes ago, the showman said:

Well done Ewen, looks just like mine. :thumbs:

 

9 minutes ago, Stormin said:

 Proper engineering there, Ewan. Nice to see some done by a young 'un and no CNC. :thumbs:

 

Thanks Norm! :tthankyou:

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The focus was on the engine now, I had already stripped the engine down of any unnecessary parts and we had tried to start it. then it dawned on us that the engine didn't actually have any compression. We didn't really want to have to remove the head as the only replacement parts are NOS ones. Anyway we removed the head and Found the exhaust valve stuck open. As you can see the valve and the valve seat is incredibly rusty and pitted, I left the block and valve with my uncle who managed to grind it down to a useable state and the engine runs quite nice now. As for the head gasket I managed to find someone in Greece who was able to make a replacement from a scan of my old one for the cost of £4 :woohoo:

 

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We also managed to remove the old exhaust which had rusted in

 

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Some more progress on the restoration

 

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Original tyres cleaned up and back on the salvaged rims and looking good.

 

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Rolling on four wheels for the first time in many years after previously being butchered by someone.

 

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The tie rod for the steering

 

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I purchased the steering wheel from America which came off a cub cadet, the difference between a CC one and a WH one is that the CC one is splined, I wasn't able to get a drill in to drill a hole for a roll pin so the alternative was to fashion a clamp. It works very well so i'm happy.

 

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The end of the steering column was mangled so a new piece was welded on, this also helped to make sure the steering wheel fit on snugly. 

 

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All painted up 

 

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I tackled the fuel tank next which is a small size so harder to find.

 

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As you can see the tank was gunked up, nothing was working to clean it so the only option to salvage it was to unsolder it and clean it properly.

 

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In two halves.

 

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Immaculate now, ready to solder both halves back together, I also found some small pin prick holes which needed fixing.

 

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I thought i'd try using silver solder for the first time, I had to get it red hot in order for the flux and solder to do its job, the solder flowed into the overlap perfectly so i'm happy that its sealed properly. 

 

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The cap had a tab missing so I fabricated a new one and soldered it on, Has anyone got an idea about what the seal would've been like and where I can buy one?

 

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Plenty of stainless bought for the reassembly.

 

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The original axle seals were missing and you can still buy them at $20 a piece, that wasn't going to happen so I turned some steel tube down to the correct dimensions and bough some seals to push into them. They fit snugly over the axle so hopefully they'll work :)

 

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Good job on the tank Ewan. :thumbs:  I have one of similar construction from a lawnmower which would fit under the hood of Half a Horse if unsoldered and the non stepped end shortened in length.  Might need a long range tank for the rally fields. :) 

We often did seal mods at work if the original size was not available.  Usually a thin steel sleeve pressed into a bore with the nearest standard size seal inserted.  Sometimes went the other way and opened out the bore to take a larger seal.  Depended on the job and what was available.  Keep up the good work. :bow:

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2 hours ago, Stormin said:

I like the way you've adapted the steering wheel. Neat job. :thumbs: And the making of the seals even better. ;)

 

:tthankyou:

 

28 minutes ago, Alan said:

Good job on the tank Ewan. :thumbs:  I have one of similar construction from a lawnmower which would fit under the hood of Half a Horse if unsoldered and the non stepped end shortened in length.  Might need a long range tank for the rally fields. :) 

We often did seal mods at work if the original size was not available.  Usually a thin steel sleeve pressed into a bore with the nearest standard size seal inserted.  Sometimes went the other way and opened out the bore to take a larger seal.  Depended on the job and what was available.  Keep up the good work. :bow:

 

Cheers Alan, I was lucky that the engine I sourced from Chris had a tank with it as I would've struggled to find one that would've fit under the hood of the RJ.

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Next job was to make some missing parts, the first being the slot hitch.

 

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I sourced all the pieces of steel i needed at the correct thicknesses taken from Chris' at Newby Hall 

 

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Cut to size

 

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Another part that was missing was all of the clutch set up

 

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All welded up

 

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Im pretty happy with how it turned out.

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2 hours ago, Chris said:

Wow this is turning out great. 1st time I have read all of this:hide:

 

Glad that engine is a runner even if it did need alot of work. So mutch for my mate saying it wont take mutch!

 

 

Thank you :) Yes it wasn't as simple as I may have hoped, but hopefully it will work for many years! 

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A few more bits cleaned up, filled and painted. 

 

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One of the next jobs was to tackle the rusty hood.

 

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New piece ready to weld in.

 

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The bottom of the hood was in the worst condition, the hole in the middle is only meant to be 5/16"

 

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A new piece shaped

 

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New tank straps, made from part of the original

 

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Got the wheels painted too :hdance:

 

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