MightyRaze - Red Bandit

First off, I was certain Dirty Rat was my last build, but while visiting family in Ohio this week a new project jumped into the back of the truck.

Right now I’m calling it Trigger Red Bandit.


1972 Wheel Horse Raider 12!





Engine is free, and you can turn it pretty good with the starter.   Wife’s Uncle and I tinkered on it to see if we could start it.  I'm pretty certain the coil and condenser are bad. Points looked new and only a couple hours on them. I hope how the spark plug looked is an indication of how it runs.




Plans right now is an off-road resto-mod. Pretty excited to work on it this fall/winter.

A wheel horse??? Quite the change of pace for you! Can’t wait to see what you do with it!

That's awesome! How many tractors you have now? I know it's close between us, I'm up to 10...

I'm home, it's in the garage in the builing space.  I hooked a good battery up to the engine.  IT HAS SPARK!  Now to try some gas in it later.

So the other day my wife's uncle and I were trying to get the shroud off to get to fluffy's nest under it and also free up the starter Bendix.  Broke 2 of the screws holding the fan screen on.  I decided to tackle that job.  I was very greatfull that both the broken screws were easilly removed.



Then I went ahead and chased out all the holes with a tap.

I got it started for a few seconds today on some carb cleaner.  Don't worry, I let her soak overnight with some wd40.  I also turned it over several times before hitting it with the cleaner.

Things I will need to address next.  

1. Stuck clutch, and clutch pedal
   
2. wiring, someone cobbled the wiring
   

OK, now for the big decision.  Continue with the Kohler 12 (Plan A) I need more run time and will it work well offroad ...or stick in a Briggs opposed twin 18? (Plan B)

Plan A.

• Will need a tune up
  
• New Coil, this one works, but gets really hot really quick.
  
• New condensor.  Not sure if this one is working right.
  
• New wire and plug.
  
• New head gasket.
  

Plan B

• Engine is ready to go whenever.
  

Things for the future.

• @Creepycrawler belt guides
  
• New Pullies (Will I be able to remove the engine pulley?  This may cause option B to happen.)
  
• Trans bracing/skid plate (Required)
  
• Strengthen steering
  

I think it would be nice to keep the original engine in it if possible, 12hp is plenty and I've never even bogged out a 10 hp.

I did find that the clutch pulley shaft and break rod are actually not siezed.  It's just a strong spring!  Excellent!

I think this Kohler wants to be part of this build.  The engine pulley surprisingly came off very easily!  Again Excellent.

The full teardown has begun.  So far I have forgotten to take reference pix.  OOPS.  Not that complicated I do not think.  These are pretty straight forward.  





I did find that the right footboard for some reason was over about 24 5/16ths washers.  ???  

Watched the vid on this and id have a hard time painting it. Its aged well.

Not as well as it appears in some spots.  

Time for bath # 2 with the superclean and pressure washer.  Just about time to pull the trans and lock it.  Time for the initial shopping list for the transaxle.

-Axle Seals
-Input Seal
-Brake Seal

I'm hoping since they have leaked for a while the axle hubs, pulley and brake drum come off easily like my sears.

Also, I an not 100% sold on my name of Trigger.  It's all good, but the youngin's this day have no idea.  Maybe something with a little more flare.  I don't know.... maybe.

How about Rusty? Not only would it pay homage to the way you found the tractor but there was a horse named Rusty in a Seinfeld episode.

I have to say I think you're setting a bad example for the new members as you make it all look and sound way to easy! Lol.

i like Rusty over Trigger. Maybe Rusty the Raider

I agree with  @Brianator "rusty" is a good name. also my suggestions sticking with the western theme "rooster" from true grit. also "bandit" would be cool

2 issues with Rusty.  I like it, but @Creepycrawler's rig is called Rusty and it is a pretty epic ride.  The second, is... I do plan on doing some freshening up of the paint.  

Speaking of paint, I have done some paint tests comparing to the unmolested or sun faded paint that was hiding under the engine.  I have found that Rustoleum Sunshine Red is a near match to this tractor's original paint.  I have seen several people say Regal Red, but it seems a shade too dark.



She's down to frame and axles.

New name… Bandit

That's a good one! Tie a bandanna to it for authenticity! Lol

MightyRaze wrote:

New name… Bandit

I dig it! Going black and gold?

Rustbucket Garage wrote:

MightyRaze wrote:

New name… Bandit

I dig it! Going black and gold?  

LOL, i'm pretty sure you have been trying to get me to paint something black and gold for a while now.

Gonna have to keep an eye out for them old smokey's and keep your ears on good buddy

MightyRaze wrote:

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LOL, i'm pretty sure you have been trying to get me to paint something black and gold for a while now.

I’m an annoying son of a gun ain’t I?

Ugh.  i have tried 3 different ways and bent and nearly broke tools and I cannot get this steering wheel off.  As much as I wanted to keep the original, it's looking like I need to cut it off.  I really need this off to make the steering brace I wanted to do.  I am going to switch gears for a bit.  I may come up with a different way to brace it without removal.  We'll see.

I've struggled with that as well and how I FINALLY got the wheel off the Mud Duck was by using a bearing seperator underneath the wheel bolted a steering wheel puller to it from the top and let er have it! I did still wreck all the plastic on the hub of the wheel but I just wanted it off. Had I took my time by added tension, penetrating fluid then hit the shaft with a little heat and kept that up for a few days it probably would've come off with minimal damage.