Task Force (MTD) Build

Looks good! Like to blue as well! Also, looks like a fun place to play!

Thanks! I appreciate it! Paint job is far from perfect, but considering what I am doing with it, who cares lol. And it really is a fun place to play. Neighbors give me funny looks riding around on it and its covered in mud, but its worth it lol.

So I guess I am going to tackle an engine pulley swap. I will put a 6" pulley on the front. I am thinking that should put me close to 15 mph? I don't think I am going to worry about cutting and welding the new pulley on to the original pulley sleeve. I think I can just slide the pulley on and tighten the set screw and it should be okay. Maybe get a keyed collar lock just to be safe? My local source for belts, pulleys, bearings, etc. has the pulley and belt I would need in stock. Total cost of $33. Money well spent if it doubles the speed IMO (give or take).

Just remember that the vari-drive is a 5/8 belt and not the typical 1/2 inch

Yep, got a B55 belt (5/8" wide, 58" long belt). They didn't have keyed lock collars in stock, but they think I will be good with just a set screw and locktite as well. If it does want to slide, I'll just order the keyed lock collar. I am excited to see how this goes lol.

Looks good in the blue man! Could do with some new fronts though

Having a little bit of a problem getting the old double drive pulley off the engine shaft. I took the bolt and washers off, coated it in PB plaster, and have been using a pulley puller and it is not budging. Actually, the puller is bending the pulley, it is that stuck on. Maybe I will try a propane torch and get it decently hot and try the puller again? Any other ideas?

A little propane torch might not get it hot enough. An oxygen-propane/acetylene torch might be better. Sometimes getting it real hot and then tossing some water on it will shock it enough to break it lose. Stuck pulleys can be a pain...