Bolens motor swap...
 

Time to upgrade the engine in my ‘57 RaM so Im dropping this shiny 181 into it...

Sure looks sharp! Bet it runs better 'cause it's chromed!

I suspect the engine was built for a puller but the project was never finished. It was on a Cub O with clutch issues that I picked up awhile back, the hood and grill were missing, the frame was starting to crack where it bolts to the transaxle. I sold the O to a Cub fan in Saskatchewan but kept the motor.

The Bolens wasnt stock when I got it back in ‘88, the engine has now lost compression so Im gonna drop this chrome K on it, should be a cute little hot rod I can take to the local shows😉

OOOOO! I like that chrome cover. Kind of a shiny rat rod...with snowblower front tires. :beer2:

It also has a 70s Sears snowblower that my uncle modified to fit onto it so I put those tires on, he also had a homebuilt cab and rear fenders but it was kinda ugly.

I got this far this morning and realized my bike tires needed to be turned😉

Looks like it was born there! Keep up the good work and more pictures please!

I got a complete rear lift for your garden tractor if interested, or if you know who is. I like your Bolens Ride-A-Matic!

I might be interested, can you get pics?

Two for now. The lift has the number: 170-3543 on it.

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Duh! 1450 front wheel photo bomb, lol!

:beer2:

[QUOTE=johncub7172;436578]Two for now. The lift has the number: 170-3543 on it.

Cool, I think it looks right but I’ll check on the parts #

How much you want for it?

I got everything fitted on today, and the wiring done. I still need to fabricate a hood and exhaust.

[QUOTE=Lanceskene;436604]Its for a ‘61-‘62 so it wont fit my ‘57 without some fab work... I’ll check if anyone on the RaM fb group wants it;)

[QUOTE=Lanceskene;436612]I honestly thought my lift would have worked, was not trying to sell you something ya don't need! Not trying to get rich off it, but if I could get an honest, good starter for a CC 1211,.... that's for another day. :biggrin2:

1957 Bolens garden tractor, that's going back a ways! Looking good!

[QUOTE=johncub7172;436615]K series ring gear starter? I have a few here I can test out. There is a guy on the fb geoup interested in the ‘62 lift so I’ll see if maybe I can barter a deal to trade it for a ‘57 type lift.... or hook you two up together. PM your number to me John

The oem hood is supposed to attach the grill to the fuel tank but... Ive moved the grill ahead for clearance so for now... I made a couple aluminum tubing struts to tie everything together.

[QUOTE=Lanceskene;436633]The CC1211 has a Kohler Magnum 12 hp. The starter is slightly different as it has two threaded studs, one on each side of the ring gear/Bendix starter. It bolts directly to the flywheel cover.

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Bolens coming along pretty good! 61 and counting!

I have a couple Magnums around, I think one is 12hp and one 16hp, I’ll have to check.

Im havin fun on the RaM, its nice to work on something that isnt for sale, for a change. I have a plan for the exhaust now so Im hoping to take it for a test drive soon👍

Cold and crappy here today but I managed to get the RaM out for a little test drive. Still a few things to finish up, the exhaust manifold is in place but the stack isnt on it yet, gas tank needs a major cleaning inside and out. I have an oem snowblade for it that I plan to put on so the g-kids can use it to clear the dugout for skating, and it needs a hitch so they pull a wagon or sleigh along with their extra gear and firewood. I probably wont use it much myself but I can take it to local shows next year👍

Forgot to check those magnum starters today John, I’ll blame it on oldtimers😉

Hey, no problem at all! I'm not planning to do anything with my 1211 until spring, its going to be fitted with mower and not getting all dolled up either! Bolens lift won't go anywhere, I hung it back up until I can work up a good starter for it, lol! I'm not on fb, so,....

This is the my two Magnums, 16hp on the left, 12.5 on the right with starter half hidden near the bottom of the engine.... either look anything like yours?

The 12.5 sure looks like a Command to me.:bigthink:

Oh... well I’ll have to look again, I thought they both said Magnum on them... maybe just my Oldtimers again?? Lol

The starter on my left looks correct, but don't know for sure until its removed. That would be tuff to break up a good mag engine like that?

I’ll get the motor in the shop and check it over, I dont know its history so it could be seized for all I know.

New wiring and switches left some extra holes in the dash panel so I made up this plate brass cover for it.

Looks great! :IH Trusted Hand:

This is one of those never ending WIPs but the engine swap is done and the test drive went perfectly. In the future.... new hood, move the battery under the seat, round fenders and rear hitch....

Lance-Just wanted to let you know it snowed.

Nice job Lance. Good to see you got it running and out to play in the snow.

Yeah, I think he's the first member to prove it for the 2017/18 snow season. So warm here the leaves haven't really turned/fell.

Nice looking mower you have there Lance.:beerchug:

I dont have a mower for it but I do have a front blade and a snowblower for it😉

The rear diff is from an old yamaha 3 wheeler and now with this hopped up puller engine it has plenty of torque... but probably gonna need more rear weight.👍

been puttin the RaM to work hauling carts around quite alot lately, its not real fast but it pulls real good....

Neat tractor. Nice work.

Very nice! There's just something about that vintage, old school look that I really like. :ThumbsUp: