hangman

im leaving this post with the kinda smile that usually only a man would understand !!! i keep getting all these inspiring thought on how i would like to convert a garden tractor and just when i though i had hatched the perfect plan another red hot chilli gets chucked in the pan lol 
 
that so crazy it brilliant 

you have done a really good job there i love it, 

and can i bags the next go lol thats a fantistic bit of kit and you have done it proud. looking forward to some action shots in due course
regards kim

who said that there is a limit to everything cos when it come to re vamp these red horse you set your own limits, my little garden tractor has three point linkage but that is manually operated so this is of great interest to me as i have been trying to get it changed to operate hydraulically 
thanks for sharing this experimental crafting of your machine its top draw stuff

proper job !! your on the home straight now matt 

your doing the 444 proud well done matt 

the other half approves lol

have to say that i have seen the gazelle and the dynamarks before on old sales leaflets etc and had not picked up on the fact that they do indeed have some very similar features

Thanks Meadowfield (Mark)!
 
Thank you Matt!  Yes, I don't think Westwoods were ever sold in the USA, but interestingly the older ones like mine look a lot like the 1970s Dynamarks.

that engine looks brand new now, just hoping that all goes well for you keep up the great work 

Hi there don't linch me but as a non wheelhorse owner i find these conversion / adaption machines of great interest there are some fantastic machines that have already been produced and it nice to see more in the pipeline, looking forward to seeing this develop 

ian you take ingenuity to a whole new level 

I hope to have it painted by the end of the month.   Thanks
 
 
 
 Thanks, I'm very happy with the valves. Even if the tires do clear, I'm going to raise the fenders at least an inch, just to make them look right. Thanks
 
I've been very busy at work, so I haven't had any time to work on the 444, until today. I got the short block assembled, and all is going together very nice. I still need to pick up some fasteners for the engine, but I'm hoping to get it painted tomorrow. Here are a few pics.
 
Matt

Yet another cracking build Nigel, you should write a book with all your build's history

not much progress the rate your going you'll be painting it at the end of the month. love the look of the new tyres they make it look even more chunky will be on the look out for some of those ribbed tyres for my machine which i will be working on in the very near future. thanks for the update 

I love this project Mark!   Guys like you, and Ian, shure know how to do some amazing things with your Wheel Horses!!! 
 
Matt

that looks like an interesting project im gonna keep watching this one 

for a 40 year old machine its looking so good im sure once its all bolted up again there won't be a trace of smoke

engine looks in fab condition don't blame you for doing the polishing i would of done that to lol, it will be lightly tuned !

I thought i recognised this little tractor when i was at the Dorset Steam Fair in 1012.

now you've said it, I'm sure that's he reason.

i know that some manufactures produced gold machines to celebrate the coronation don't know how that relates age wise to the gold bantams though, think that it was 1952  

I couldn't help myself Richard!   I just had to smooth them out a little. I didn't grind away any material, I just used an emery drum role on my die grinder to smooth the casting, and remove rough edges. 
 
Matt

Time is precious, so I try not to waste it!
 
I got the engine tore down today, and I'm very happy with the way it looks inside. I gave the cylinder a brief honing, and cleaned up very quickly. Its not perfect, but it is good. The crankshaft is still standard, and looks good. Although you can see a mark in the rod, you can't feel it. I gave the block a good cleaning, and cleaned up the ports. I went ahead, and ordered the engine kit, which will consist of piston, rings, connecting rod, both valves, gaskets, and seals.
 The first picture below is the exhaust nipple, which I had to cut, and break out with a chisel, as it wasn't coming out of its own free will. 
 They say a picture is worth 1000 words, so I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking for me!
 
Matt

if they give prizes for info boards thats tops nice one paul