Ol' Sears - 1975 Sears Suburban ST/16

Nah.. I've had those fronts now for almost 7 years and they have been on the tractor since my original restomod.  They are trailer tires so they don't seem to wear at all.

From Feb 2015 wrote:

Rear tires I have had a little over a year.  They used to be on my Li'l Red tractor.

Early 2021 wrote:

I did some more progress today.  I just lack the pulse line for my fuel pump.  I had the wrong barbed adapter.  I'll get that in a few days.  I did get the wiring done. I just need to get the dash painted and new dash sticker to complete that part of the tractor.  I have the shroud off in prep to clean and primer.

Saw this on Kijiji this morning 
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-lawnmower-leaf-blower/barrie/1976-sears-suburban-st-16/1598600698?cid=2e49ccb4-f939-4d66-99cd-fe1b5f6b5bee
Pretty much exactly the same...

TechnoChicken wrote:

Saw this on Kijiji this morning 
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-lawnmower-leaf-blower/barrie/1976-sears-suburban-st-16/1598600698?cid=2e49ccb4-f939-4d66-99cd-fe1b5f6b5bee
Pretty much exactly the same...

Yep same model just a year newer.  Only diffs I know right off are a couple paint diffs, plastic gas tank, curved shifter for the bigger plastic tank, and plastic dash.   I think it has a different place for the clutch pulley. That one has the full foot boards too.

In other news, the wiring checked out, now I am ready to get the dash in.  New oil in the engine. Still need that part for the pulse line for the fuel pump.

Little update...

Now that I have incorporated the lighter color.  I and digging the colors I chose even more!  Hope you guys enjoy as well. I'm hoping to get his buttoned up in the next 3-4 weeks.

The original Sears colors were classic but this new color scheme reminds me of some of the desert colors the new Toyotas have. I like it

Crazy_Carl wrote:

The original Sears colors were classic but this new color scheme reminds me of some of the desert colors the new Toyotas have. I like it

Thanks, I'm diggin it too.  I wasn't sure at first.  In other news I did slap some more epoxy weld on the nose to fix some new cracks.  I do have the metal plate covered in bondo fix on it.  LOL.  I wasn't going to go with one color nose (these typically have a black front) but the with the new colors, I think I will go ahead with the single color.  Brings out the grill a bit more.  Should I change my mind later I still can.

This tractor is gonna be one of the best painted and greatest looking on the forum this is like a musuem quality tractor honestly it looks too good to be driven

Budget_gokart wrote:

This tractor is gonna be one of the best painted and greatest looking on the forum this is like a musuem quality tractor honestly it looks too good to be driven

HAHA, maybe from 8-10 feet.  I would have liked to take it down to bear metal and fiberglass and start over, but I'm too lazy. HAHA... Although, I am using much better-quality paint.







I didn't get a pic, but I found an alternate method for that pulse line into the valve cover.  I found a hose that fit snug, but when I put in the pulse gas line it compresses it into place nicely!

I'm at a pause for now until later next week when I get my last can of beige.  Some pix in the meantime.  I can now plan my muffler.

dang, that thing looks sweet it's cool to see someone else who leaves the maintenance sticker on the inside of the hood on the old burbans! it keeps a little bit of originality to them.

Well, I am a muffler shy of first restart.  Maybe I can make a first video of the year too this weekend about it.  I hope so, the artic blast they are forecasting seems pretty intense.

I know it isn't snazzy off-road rig but still a mower.  I felt it was worth a share.









I'll have the muffler installed around Friday.

Next step I will be refurbing the mower deck as well.  I redid center bearings on it a little over a year ago.

Man, that is a beautiful machine. Nice Job!

That looks great! Good job my man!

She has been restarted and still runs well. Even with the fuel pump and pulling from the rear tank.
No other video or pix, it is raining today.

Oh, failed to mention. The mower deck breakdown is going, but I have a major stopping point later on rebuild. My center mandrel is SHOT! This thing is supposed to be smooth with pressed in bearings. I may try to talk with my neighbor up the road if he can help me fix it.

I’ve had a 6x6 axle welded and turned but it did warp which isn’t good for a spindle.

We had a similar problem on our ancient wheel horse and ended up sourcing some good used parts from someone on the internet. I know a couple sears dudes I could ask for you.

Do you have a pic of the spindle assembly?

I have a machinist neighbor down the street.  I was going to ask him to take a look.  I'll have to get a pic later of the full assembly or maybe out the door and post later.

Here is what I have.




eBay of one complete. But you don’t know if it has the same issue.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/194587275596

You have nothing to lose by messaging the seller to see if he can tell you about the condition or have him pull the shaft out of it so you can see what kind of shape it's in.

I'm going to put the deck on the back burner for a bit.  Maybe work on it in a casual manner.  So,, I'll give you these glamor shots of Grandpa until something new is ready to post.

Looks like I will be getting that final touch done to Grandpa!  I was able to source me a new center mandrel from one of the Sears Suburban Backyard Club members.  Should be here on Friday or Saturday.  So I picked up where I left off and cleaned the deck for painting.  I still need to prep and clean the belt cover.  I may also need to find a belt for under the cover.




The outer mandrels are good and freshly greased waiting the main center mandrel.

Another step closer... Mandrel is due in Friday.  Maybe this weekend I can finish buttoning it up.  Suppose to rain so mowing may be out of the question.  Not sure yet.

Lots of good news, bad news happening today.

Good news, The center mandrel showed up a day early! 
Bad news, The top bearing was shot.
Good news, I still have the bearing I was going to install on the jacked up one I had.
Bad news, I jacked up the threads on the top of the mandrel.
Good news, It was an easy fix!
Good news,  Mandrel installed!
Good news, Mower deck installed!
Lastly, Bad news.  With the new engine mount, the pulley is in a different location so a new belt will need to be purchased.  Original is 5/8-103.  I need 5/8-105.  So, the mower deck needs to come back off more than likely as I do not know if my back will allow me to get down and remove the belt guide off the top of the mower deck for belt removal.





Also, I found some oil under the tractor, and it is dripping a tiny bit.  Found that the low side cap is weeping some oil.