Project PHOENIX - my turn at a "build thread"

[KShortell]

How I do wiring- NEATLY. Everything is loomed and coded. No rat's nest here!

[KShortell]

BIG difference in appearance from the beginning.

[KShortell]

Ta-da! It RUNS! Cool, huh?

The rear end sports an homage to Pan Am, the coolest airline I ever flew. It's all business up front.

"72"? Well, good things came to be in 1972. Namely, ME!

[KShortell]

This tractor had no muffler when I got it. So, I created my own custom exhaust, hoping it wouldn't bee too long or restrictive, maintaining the 1" exhaust port outlet diameter throughout. However, it hunts a bit, backfires on occasion, and won't run at idle r.p.m. speeds. That and the header pipe starts to glow at higher r.p.m. I'm thinking it may be a little too restrictive due to length and is causing a bit of a lean burn. SO, I've unbolted the system and will try a standard muffler setup. I've been able to smooth it out some by sealing the throttle shaft at the carb body with some 3M strip caulk, but it still hunts at lower rpms before backfiring.

I did run it today with a pipe stub and no muffler. It doesn't backfire anymore, but still hunts a little at lower rpm. It's getting better! It may just need some run time and a chance to blow out the carbon that the old, dirty air filtered, and junked up carb system created. The plug was fouled when I began to overhaul things.

Hopefully, the new OEM muffler cures my ills.

It does look killer in its final paint, though! Best of all, the lights all work perfectly, just as I imagined them. The tail lights and brake lights work just like a car. The strobe (12V outlet) is switched at the dash for remote operation.

[KShortell]

By the way, this is my 1987 Ariens RM 830 that I bought new. It's been very good to me, even earning enough money mowing lawns as a teenager to let me put 20% down on my first home at age 24! I reengined it a few years ago and only replaced the original rear tires this summer. 28 years out of a set of rear tires is good enough for me.

I've got the Ariens bagger, the Ariens snow plow, a Precision Pro spreader/seeder, and an Agri-Fab aerator for it. Even though it's a rear-engined riding mower, it's RUGGED and I've used it the way many TRACTORS have been worked over the years. I've even done earthmoving and grading with it, particularly when I built my garage and extended my driveway.

It's even pushed the boat trailer in and out of the garage a few times. I adapted the manual trailer mover with a lower hitch. The new (to me) tractor is intended to take over this duty. I painted the trailer mover/bar yellow today, just like the ones used to push back airplanes on the tarmac.

Fastidious maintenance, greasing in particular, and the occasional wax make all the difference in the world when it comes to keeping it going. I've waxed it on occasion since new as it helps keep the dirt, etc. from sticking to everything. Storing it inside rather than out in the elements makes a huge difference as well.

Yes sir, I love my Ariens!

[KShortell]

I reused the original edging on the seat. However, it left a larger gap than before. So, I had to fabricate a new clip to bridge the gap instead of using the original one. It worked!

[KShortell]

Done! I'm no professional upholsterer, but it's a workable solution and a comfortable seat once again. 4" of foam precompressed using scrap material from an old pair of Haggar slacks covered with actual UV-stable Naugahyde. The only thing left is to install the new muffler when it comes.

[KShortell]

Baggage hauler mode!

[KShortell]

All done!

[KShortell]

Dash and driver's seat.

[KShortell]

A 12.5 hp Briggs & Stratton I/C resides in the engine compartment.

[KShortell]

Useful storage space in the ammo can.

[KShortell]

Rear 12V outlet and detachable light pole/masthead.

[KShortell]

Rear bumper and E-hitch.

[KShortell]

Cool angle.

[KShortell]

Fun!

[KShortell]

Trailer TUG mode.

[Advanced Design]

Very cool. Looks good!

[KShortell]

I took the TUG to the Saturday morning cruise-in at Hotrodder's Cafe. GOOD breakfast! Everyone got a kick out of the TUG and I received a lot of kind words/compliments.

[KShortell]

At work doing what it was really built for in the first place.