34 replies to this topic

[chieffan]

Put an ad on the local swap shop and had a guy call last evening.  Said he had a Bolens he got out of a scarp pile a few years ago.  Been in his shed since then as he thought about restoring it.  Further discussion revealed he found it up side down in a scrap pile he got at an auction, but it had a good blade on it.  Long story short I told him the most I would go would be $75 as he said it had a 10 or 14 hp Wisconsin engine that was free.  Went and looked at it today and it was a lot rougher than expected, but most of the stuff moved on it.  2 speed lever, pto, shifter, engine turned over but no compression, tires shot, steering loose. fender pan rusted through at the bolts,  Starter,gen. was free and didn't feel to bad, engine was an S8D Wisconsin complete.  Seat was shot - but the blade was good with lift arm and pins.  Offered him what I thought it would be worth as a parts unit and he took it.  Drug it on the trailer with the winch and came home.

 

 

       

 

Basically I bought the blade and got the rest with it.

Edited by chieffan, December 07, 2015 - 06:23 PM.

[Bolens 1000]

Nice buy, she looks rough but I bet that wisconsin will fire right up, good old points and condenser!

[glgrumpy]

Yep! Blade!  Rest, I don't know. Have to be Bolen's Nut to buy those I guess. Ha!

[propane1]

Great save. I'd say it would have been going else where. Show us pictures of the fix up. Noel

[Username]

Did you try to out run it?

[chieffan]

Nice buy, she looks rough but I bet that wisconsin will fire right up, good old points and condenser!

Boy have you got that right Brian.  No more SS stuff for me.

[chieffan]

Did you try to out run it?

I tried but with a bad knee it kept passing me.

[Little Irish Men]

very nice fine , it does not have to be a parts unite. I see a lot of hope for it . You know us "nuts have to stick together" and stay in this hobby. and not talk about getting out of it for over 2 years . Bolens : Once we were few , Now we are many .  Bolens Lives matter . ! !!

 

 

Patrick.

Edited by Little Irish Men, December 07, 2015 - 09:28 PM.

[chieffan]

Will see what it looks like when I get it on the operating table later today.  Need to replace the back wheels first and get the free wheel pin out.  I have another good 8 hp Wisconsin that a guy took out of an 850 because 'he said' he could not find a 6 V starter generator for it ? ?  Will probably just put that one in and mess with this engine later some time.

[BolensChrisUK]

Nice find.

 

Should clean up well. Must be the week for 850s turning up

[Bolens800uk]

A good find and I will be following this 850's revival with interest as I am sure Chris will.

[chieffan]

Looked better with the tin off and outside today.  Sprayed about a bunch of oven cleaner on it and let it sit for about 10 min.  Then hit it with the power washer.  Didn't clean up to bad at all.    First two photos are with the oven cleaner on it.

    

 

Then after it got the washer treatment.  

 

Points were shot.  Carb was as expected - in need of a kit.  What really surprised me was the oil.  Between the add and full mark and looked like it had just been changed.  Valves are working OK.  Put some oil in the plug hole and turned it over a few times.  Has good compression now.  I had a pair of back tires and put them on before I unloaded it.  Both fronts had tubes and both are holding air.  Will check out the fuel tank tomorrow while waiting for parts.  Believe this tractor is a late run 191-01 as it has the battery ignition which was on the -02 run.  Can't read the serial number but the model is definitely a 191-01.  I could also have had a engine replacement with the newer model as the engine is read but the front cover is the original color.  Might have to keep this one after all.  I have a hood, dash with tower, fender pan with seat all in good condition so why not?

Edited by chieffan, December 09, 2015 - 05:47 PM.

[Bolens 1000]

I bet that thing will fire right up with some points and a carb kit, cant tell you how many I have gotten over the years and they fired right up after sitting for many years, you cant kill these engines unless you never change the oil or run them without oil !

 

 

Whats the serial number on the engine?

 

Steering wheel looks smooth with no hand grips which indicates a 1966

[Bruce Dorsi]

 

  I could also have had a engine replacement with the newer model as the engine is read but the front cover is the original color. 

 

I believe what you are seeing is the primer Wisconsin used.  .....Most of the TR series in the Bolens tube-frames had that primer under the brown.

 

The replacement engines from Wisconsin were painted gray or later, light green.

[Bolens 1000]

I believe what you are seeing is the primer Wisconsin used.  .....Most of the TR series in the Bolens tube-frames had that primer under the brown.

 

The replacement engines from Wisconsin were painted gray or later, light green.