[FINALIST] - AK's LT-08 Rat Rod Tractor Build [2019 Build-Off Entry]

Yeah, I know. Been really slacking off with the Build-Off tractor here. Obviously the first drive shaft setup failing sorta threw a wrench into the gears, but I got a plan worked out using another shaft and joints, so I'l have to get around to that sometime soon.

In the meantime I decided to get the steering wheel all hooked up today, so I did do something!

As some of you know, these tractors used a rag joint that went between the steering shaft and the pinion steering gear. Mine was toast when I got this rig so I planned to use an automotive steering universal joint instead:



Drilled a couple holes and tapped them to 1/4- 20:



Bolted down all nice:



Then I cut an old steering shaft to length and cut a square into the end to fit in the universal:



Pinch bolt installled:



Then BAM! We have steering!



Well.. some of the steering anyways, hahaha. Nice to have that part done!

looks good!

Nice... better implementation than what I did on my first try.  Any slop in the steering you got going on so far?

Thanks fellas.

Not too much for steering slop that I can tell Mighty. None at all really, which is surprising, but definitely nice! There are a couple replaceable bushing in the setup though, so they can be replaced/upgraded if any play presents itself in the end.

If it is the bushings I am thinking, I am curious how you do it. 

Well however slowly, progress is still being made here on the Build-Off tractor.



Today I was able to get a coupler and an adapter made in order to get the new drive shaft put in place. The adapter for the rear still needs to be finished, but this is how things are looking so far.

The coupler:



The shaft adapter and universal joint.



Couple other pictures:





Haven't tested it out yet, but I think it's gonna work alright. Once I get the adapter at the rear all finished, I can fire it up and see how it performs. Hopefully that'll get done tomorrow!

Nice.... hurry up and get the rear finished!  I'm ready for some front suspension magic!  LOL

Really... it looks so cool.

Hahaha, thanks Mighty. Yeah I'm hoping I can move on to that front end setup real soon!!

Nice job on the driveshaft Allis. Might want to loctite all the bolts on the u joints and whatnot, it's unlikely you'll get it perfectly balanced and all vibrations out. Which brings me to my next idea- balancing. You may be able to balance it like a motorcycle wheel if your bearings are easy enough to turn. Or you can just try trial and error adding little weld beads and filing them off to balance it. Just some ideas. Really hope that setup works for you, it's really cool. I think you should paint the driveshaft black and white lengthwise so it looks like it's flashing black and white when it's at speed. Or something like that, lol.

NEAT WORK!

Thanks a lot Rich. The balancing trick might not be a bad idea. I'm not quite as concerned about it with this shaft as I was with the first one, I think this one will be a lot less rotating mass being that it's so much smaller in diameter and what not. It'll be spinning rally fast though so it still might need a bit of balancing, I guess I'll have to wait and see.

Also my pinion angle is pretty well straight, so that should help a lot with vibration as opposed to having a nasty angle.

Well I didn't get a whole lot done today, but I did manage to finish up the adapter for the trans side of the shaft:



Should work well. I have to shorten the pinion shaft on the transaxle before it can be all put together, but after that I should be able to test 'er out!

Wow, just checked this thread, phenomenal work on that driveshaft!!  This thing is going to be bad @$$!!

Well thanks! I'm hoping it will be, haha.

Well of course now that the drive shaft progress is going well, I've run into another problem:



We've lost spark! Figures eh? Haha.

Gonna try and shine the points up a bit, see if that helps. If not then I can try a new condenser.

#pointsignitionsucks LOL
Try to magnetron swap it!

SebastianAlbrecht wrote:

#pointsignitionsucks LOL
Try to magnetron swap it!

This style engine he can't magnetron swap it because it's a 12v ignition, he would have to change the whole flywheel and then cast his own bearing plate with a coil mount.

He also plans on using the points to implement a timing advance on this engine, something he can't really do on a magnetron ignition.

Points actually run a lot stronger than any other ignition style, and in fact, someday when I get it wired, I plan to put 12v on the 990.  They're much more reliable and they don't lose power with age. I'm already having issues with the brand new coil losing spark when the engine gets too hot.

This engine actually isn't 12v ignition, it's just the old school mag and breaker ignition, like the 10hp Briggs in my B-110 or the 16hp in your MTD.

I did some more messing around today and I'm pretty sure the coil is dead, so I bolted an automotive coil to the block so I can do the 12v ignition swap and run a battery, like I just did with my old Bolens. At least then it can run again.

So why can't you just buy a brand new coil? Has the part been discontinued? Too expensive?

Yeah unfortunately it's NLA. I think isavetractors.com has them, but I've never really been a fan of having ignition parts under the flywheel. Not very convenient to work on and what not.

Hopefully the 12v conversion goes well, then progress can continue!

Oh gosh! Under the flywheel!? Yeah I'd forget about it too. Good luck!

Sorry to hear about the coil allis. I bet you'll get her running better than ever with the buzz coil though!

Murraymountain wrote:

Oh gosh! Under the flywheel!? Yeah I'd forget about it too. Good luck!

Thanks! Haha, yeah that was pretty common with older engines, even my little Homda G200 has the coil, points, and condenser under the flywheel.

RichieRichOverdrive wrote:

Sorry to hear about the coil allis. I bet you'll get her running better than ever with the buzz coil though!

Yeah well of course it had to happen right when I really need it to run, I think that's just the rule.

Thanks Rich, I hope so!

Guess the bolens was a practice run for the LT-08. Look cooler with an external coil.  

Yeah haha, I guess it sorta would look neat hanging off the side!

AllisKidD21 wrote:

Yeah well of course it had to happen right when I really need it to run, I think that's just the rule. lol!

Oh yes, that is most definitely the rule!