White 1855 Repairs

[Sawdust]

I bought this tractor back in the early summer for a song. I pulled it in the shop a month or so to replace the hydro fan. I’ve been soaking, heating, and tapping on and off since then trying to get the driveshaft to slide forward…not happening. I did get it loose from the transmission but not the engine shaft.


I did notice some leakage around the shaft seal on the engine so the best thing to do was pull the engine. I started removing what was in my way which ended up being a snowball project one thing after another needed to be removed. I got it ready to take the engine mounting bolts out and hopefully I can pick it up without yelling oh mommy!


This will be my forth tractor I’ve took apart three of them ended up being a total nut and bolt rebuild. I just can’t bring myself to putting things back together without cleaning, SB, prime and paint. I’m thinking this one will be the same.

 

[MNGB]

What is the engine kind of looks like B&S Vanguard, yep those DS can be a bugger to get loose, that looks like a beefy tractor

 

[Sawdust]

What is the engine kind of looks like B&S Vanguard, yep those DS can be a bugger to get loose, that looks like a beefy tractor

18hp Vanguard. It’s probably my favorite engine. I had to take the air cleaner off to disconnect the linkages. It is beefy it’s like working on a truck.

 

[UncleWillie]

What song? If it was Mary had a Little Lamb it was a steal. If it was Alice's Restaurant you got hosed.

 

[MFDAC]

I want to see a video of Jim singing it, no matter which, but Alice's Restaurant would give us a lot more comedy pleasure---LOL!

Looks like a tractor that is well worth the work, Jim! It will be interesting to see the progress.

DAC

 

[Sawdust]

You guys keep on and I’ll sing you the long version of Alice’s Restaurant. Lol

 

[4getgto]

 

[Sawdust]

Hey Bill I was half asleep last night when I last posted and I thought watch Bill or Rick post the video lol.

 

[MNGB]

Hi Jim you are right those B&S Vanguard engine are good engines I have a 16 hp that I repowered a Suburban with got rid of the troublesome Onan and made that Suburban a nice tractor

 

[Lance Skene]

I have two 16hp Vanguards, one in my Deutz mower and the other in a generator I use for mobile welding... one of the best small engine designs ever produced IMO... quiet, reasonable power thru all rpm ranges, easy on fuel.... an 18 in one of the big MTD 900 series will definately be a very capable tractor... only thing I would add is foot controlled hydro.

....I have Alice's Restaurant on vinyl

 

[Sawdust]

I have two 16hp Vanguards, one in my Deutz mower and the other in a generator I use for mobile welding... one of the best small engine designs ever produced IMO... quiet, reasonable power thru all rpm ranges, easy on fuel.... an 18 in one of the big MTD 900 series will definately be a very capable tractor... only thing I would add is foot controlled hydro.

....I have Alice's Restaurant on vinyl

I’m partial to the original 16hp Briggs in my 990. Now if it ever puked out I would consider that swap.

 

[Lance Skene]

I think the old cast iron single with its heavy flywheel actually has better low rpm torque than the Vanguard twin but it does use more fuel at higher rpm's... so the single pulls better but the twin is better for running attachments.

it will be interesting to hear how you think the two tractors compare once you have this 1855 up and running

the Vanguard twin is the only engine I know of that can be converted to run with the crankshaft either horizontal or vertical.

 

[Sawdust]

This engine wasn’t as heavy as I thought, my 16hp Briggs was heavier than this. It only took me about 20 minutes to get the DS off tapping slightly on the far end of the DS using a piece of flat bar and hammer. I took the side panels, running boards, and steering wheel off.

Today was suppose to be firewood cutting day but it was in the low 50’s and sunny so a good day to pressure wash. I got the tractor and the engine cleaned up and dried most of the day in the sun. I’ll probably start back up on the fender pan next. It’s had water puddled in it for awhile causing some rust. This will keep me occupied for awhile in the shop until it warms up soon to get back on the frame.

Once I got done I had to winterize the PW again.

 

[Sawdust]

I think the old cast iron single with its heavy flywheel actually has better low rpm torque than the Vanguard twin but it does use more fuel at higher rpm's... so the single pulls better but the twin is better for running attachments.

it will be interesting to hear how you think the two tractors compare once you have this 1855 up and running

the Vanguard twin is the only engine I know of that can be converted to run with the crankshaft either horizontal or vertical.

Lance I can already tell like you probably know the 990 has a nice low end pulling power that is fun to use. With just truck studded snow tires it amazes me how it just creeps over the terrain with a load of wood like it’s not back there. Both of these have nice 3 point hitches and 2 speed trannys. I’m anxious to see what the 1855 will do. Because of the broken hydro fan I’ve only used it around the yard towing a trailer with very short runs. It’s a lot more quiet, smoother running and easier to maneuver.

 

[Lance Skene]

I had an MTD 995 here for awhile... that should be the same frame and hydro as the 1855 but with a Briggs opposed twin.... it was nice tractor but I only had the snowblower so it wasnt something I was tempted to keep.... maybe if it was a Yard Boss I might have thought twice

 

[MNGB]

I think the old cast iron single with its heavy flywheel actually has better low rpm torque than the Vanguard twin but it does use more fuel at higher rpm's... so the single pulls better but the twin is better for running attachments.

it will be interesting to hear how you think the two tractors compare once you have this 1855 up and running

the Vanguard twin is the only engine I know of that can be converted to run with the crankshaft either horizontal or vertical.

The early M18 Kohler could be changed from vertical to horizontal also

 

[Lance Skene]

The early M18 Kohler could be changed from vertical to horizontal also

Interesting.... I had to google it..... apparantly it is possible with the m18 and m20 but it requires several parts to be changed so its not a simple conversion like it is with the Vanguards but it can be done.

"The Kohler engine models MV18 or MV20 vertical shaft can be easily converted into models M18 or M20 horizontal shaft. To make this happen, the oil pickup hole on the oil pump side of the MV18 or MV20 crankcase will need to be tapped for threads and plugged with an Allen pipe plug or a short bolt with sealant. The parts needed are of a KT17, KT17 Series II, KT19, KT19 Series II, M18, M20, and perhaps KT21: intake manifold, closure plate (to replace the oil sump cover), oil pickup tube with the strainer, governor linkage parts, air cleaner adapter, oil dipstick assembly, and oil filler tube or plug."

 

[MNGB]

Yea its not a simple thing but it can be done

 

[Sawdust]

I would really like to have SB this fender pan but chose to wire brush it, it’s just too cold out. It’s got a lot of pitting but no holes or cracks and a couple of dents. I wiped it down with some paint thinner then gave it a coat of primer. The two topside corners behind the seat have factory dimples where they molded the pan. These are pitted the worse indicating a lot of water settled there. Monday I’ll start skim coating with some bondo.

 

[KennyP]

The two topside corners behind the seat have factory dimples where they molded the pan. These are pitted the worse indicating a lot of water settled there. Monday I’ll start skim coating with some bondo.

If it were me, I'd drill a hole at each dimple to let any moisture out in the future.