[chuckbob]

OK

Here is a wild hair idea:

I have a '70's formerly 1618 long hood pk (dual trans, hyd 3 pt) that I purchased without an engine. It came with wide ag/bar tires on 15" rims.

I am contemplating putting a Wisconsin VF4 engine in it(V4 25hp).
My goal is to make a Hot Rod themed tractor that would still be able to be used to pull stuff with.

I don't need this tractor for normal tractor stuff as I have other economy/pk's that are stock.

I know from looking at the spec sheets that the mounting points/centerlines and crankshaft dia/length will require attentions. The weight of the VF4 is approx 350#, which compared to the Kohler K321 is probably 200# ++ more.

I do have a Kohler K321 that I could/might rebuild for this project.
The Wisconson is on our local C'list know and I am just thinking outloud.

chuckbob

 

[jas11964]

If you were closer to me I would consider buying that carcass for the dual tranny set up so I could put that in my FEL tractor.

 

[deereboy55]

Sounds like a good idea , if you already have stock tractors,,,you should have a modified one....:thThumbsU

 

[Ingersoll444]

Im realy suprised those old V4's dont show up more. Its a real cool old engine!!! Id love to see it if you did!!

 

[bmxkid313]

its a cool idea, if you do it you have to make a tread following the build. it would definitely be awesome for shows, but then again... all pks are. lol

 

[countryboy88]

Sounds like a cool build cant wait to follow the thread if you go ahead with it.

 

[rscurtis]

You might want to research the weight on a 321. It's nowhere near 200#. The Wisconsin is probably 3X the weight of the Kohler. You may want to consider power steering with that big piece of iron sitting up front.

It will be a nice project, though.

 

[username]

I don't think the engine weight is going to be a problem.I have a lot more weight hanging on the front of my tractor and I have no problem steering it.The FEL tractors can have considerably more weight than the extra weight of the engine.

There was a fellow on another thread just this year installing a Wisconsin in his tractor but have not heard back of any results.I think he was using the 37 HP model.

 

[oem7]

Go for it, you won't be dissapointed. I put a 2 cylinder THD on my 1950 economy 15 years ago. It is my most used tractor.

 

[chuckbob]

Hi oem7,

How difficult was the 2 cyl thd to install?

thx. chuckbob

 

[oem7]

Hi oem7,

How difficult was the 2 cyl thd to install?

thx. chuckbob

Hi chuckbob,

The conversion was actually very simple although it may not sound that simple by the time I explain it.

First thing to do was to lengthen frame 3” (right behind front axle cross member under front engine bolts. Economy used odd sized tubing so I got that tubing from rear cross member behind rear axle and replaced rear member with 1” x 2”.

Cut drag link and added 3”.

Took clutch – pulley to machine shop, had bore enlarged from 1-1/8” to 1-7/16” for new crankshaft ($40.00 not as bad as I thought).

Made longer 2” angle iron supports to bolt engine to.

Lowered center of tie rod to clear knuckles when hand cranking, 4 or 5 years later found a starter generator and added that.

Had two more pulleys in bell housing so I added hydraulics on one side and air compressor on the other, (sometimes I get carried away).

 

[chuckbob]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply oem7 and I certainly appreciate the pictures.

Do you remember the size of the raised pilot on the thd?
Kohler and AEN have a 7" dia.
My research into the V4's show a much bigger pilot dia than the 7" and then the bolt circle of the 4 mounting bolts is much larger. This would require machining of the bellhousing-still doeable. I thought the clutch part could be machined to fit the crankshaft. I wondered about the frame/steering mods.
Thanks again.

I will try to go look at the vf4 this weekend and buy/evaluate.

Everyone have a Merry Christmas!

chuckbob

 

[Ingersoll444]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply oem7 and I certainly appreciate the pictures.

Do you remember the size of the raised pilot on the thd?
Kohler and AEN have a 7" dia.
My research into the V4's show a much bigger pilot dia than the 7" and then the bolt circle of the 4 mounting bolts is much larger. This would require machining of the bellhousing-still doeable. I thought the clutch part could be machined to fit the crankshaft. I wondered about the frame/steering mods.
Thanks again.

I will try to go look at the vf4 this weekend and buy/evaluate.

Everyone have a Merry Christmas!

chuckbob

Most of the V4's I have seen have a clutch on them allready with a stub shaft. Might be able to just make a collor to link the engine output, to the trans input.

 

[attorney_barnabas_collins]

That sounds more reasonable than using my Wisconsin 4...the turrning diameter might be getting out of reason with it.

 

[attorney_barnabas_collins]

Oh yeah, pics.
Really, the frame can handle the weight of the V4 with no problems. You might want to load the rear tires to make up for it some.

 

[Shingetter]

oem7, that is sexy how you did the light to turn with the steering.

 

[oem7]

That sounds more reasonable than using my Wisconsin 4...the turrning diameter might be getting out of reason with it.

Now that's an engine. I might even cut my drive shaft tube 8" for that.

 

[LilysDad]

Oh yeah, pics.
Really, the frame can handle the weight of the V4 with no problems. You might want to load the rear tires to make up for it some.

What is this engine? It looks nothing like a THD.

 

[attorney_barnabas_collins]

I believe that is a Wisconsin AC4 or AM4 (can't read tag, and won't know until I can measure the bore), its a WWII era over head valve design. Hope to get it running sometime when I get around to it. It has a couple of broken rocker arms. I have the replacements but need to take the heads off & clean the valve stems before I try and start it. Just posted it for fun.

 

[focusstevezx3]

Is there enough "meat" in the economy flywheel to bore it to match the v4 shaft? I think the v4 shafts are around 1-3/4 to 2 inches