how do i fix my hustler?

[Stonewall]

While I've got my t-20 out, has anyone come up with a better way to mount it in a Hustler? The slots in my Hustler's cradler are somewhat wollered out, and a previous owner broke one of the bolts out of the case so now I only have 3. My dad just got a new welder and it came with a spool gun so I was thinking about maybe welding some plates to bolt to the cradle in different locations. Any suggestions?

[jerseybigfoot]

Depending on the year the frames changed slightly. My Hustler had a plate bent into a "U" to mount the trans. I reworked the wallowed out slots so the trans would sit straight and then made a steel strap that went 180 deg around the trans outside diameter with two legs that bolted to the original plate. In-vision a big U bolt around the middle of the trans. This didn't require pulling the frame out. another way is to add a 1" wide by 3/16" thick plate that catches the 2 trans mounting holes and drill 2 additional holes into the original mounting plate. The 2 additional holes will be spaced outside the the original . My Hustler Trans mount was not long enough to add the two side plates but this is a typical fix to mount a t-20.

[racerone3]

here is a shot of what I did on my Bigfoot ( should work about the same on a 950). I had to weld some mounts to the frame in the front for this cage to bolt to. let me know if you need some other shots of it. It probably won't work if you have the rotor/ caliper on the right side of the trans. I felt that keeping the T-20 from twisting out of the frame was more important than a parking brake. Also, I had a broken bolt in my case as well. Mine came out pretty easily, so you might at least make an attempt at getting it out.

[Stonewall]

That looks great, I think I can put something like that in pretty easy. Thanks for the ideas!

[Stonewall]

Mike's t-20 rebuild article doesn't mention using any kind of gasket compound on the paper case gaskets, do they need some gasket sealer or something?

[Mike]

I haven't had any problems using just the paper gasket.

[Stonewall]

Ok, cool. I seem to rember using some sort of copper compound before because the instructions I got from R.I. said to use it, but if it's not necessary I won't bother.

[Stonewall]

Time For Tires

Well I got my t-20 back together this afternoon, but didn't have time to put it in my machine and test because I ran out of daylight improving the mounts. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to get it all together and functioning properly again.

Today I called the scrap iron place and found out that prices are way up. I have an old bobtruck that I plan to haul off soon that should bring around $1000. So, I plan on using that towards 2 much needed things. First is a bedliner for my pickup(spray in), and I'm going to use the rest to put a new set of meats on my 950. I really would like to put a set of the new 24" Argo tires on it, but I need to know if they will fit. If they'll fit, where is the best/cheapest place to purchase them? If they won't fit, what would be the best replacment for the rotten rawhides I have now?

[Stonewall]

I was not able to construct the proper mounts for my t-20, so I have decided that the best thing for me to do is pull the frame again and do a good job building some new mounts. This will also give me a chance to resolve a few problems that I found after I got it together the first time. I also plan to put in some better chain adjusters, and a sliding engine mount to adjust belt tension. I have been considering selling my rebuilt Kohler 341 and buying a used Vanguard or Command, but first I thought I'd ask if anybody knows of someone that can upgrade the performance of the K341? If the K341 can't be upgraded, what would be the best choice to repower my Hustler?

[jerseybigfoot]

Midwest Supercub has High perf parts for the K341. They are pricy though. http://www.midwestsupercub.net/1%20cyl%20parts.pdf
a high perf cam, crank and pistons prob cost as much as a new motor. you can take off the governor, replace the valve springs and change the head gasket for more compression at a reasonable price.

[Stonewall]

I would rather put those high performance mods on my k341 and give it higher hp and rpm, but my knowledge of engines runs out with rebuilding them.(I can't even properly adjust a carb) Could I send them my engine and have them soup it up? You mentioned removing the governor, will that not break something?

[Stonewall]

I started taking my Hustler apart today, and got the engine, top half, wiring harness, and some of the chains off. I'm going to finish taking it apart tomorrow and wash out all the oil that leaked out of my t-20. My plan is to install the improved chain adjuster I saw in a thread somewhere, make some mounts like Racerone's to hold my t-20, fix up an adjustable engine mount plate, add some springs to hold the laterals foreward, repaint everything with something better than a spray can, build a new grille to bolt the engine cover to, fix an engine cooling duct out the left side, install a split shift setup, soup up my k341, and put on some new tires. So it looks like I have plenty of work to do. I still have two questions that have gone unanswered:

Will 24" tires fit my short tub hustler?

Will Midwest Supercub soup up my k341 for me, or do I have to do it myself?

[Stonewall]

Argo Dealers and Frontier tires.....

Where is the best/cheapest place to get a set of 24x10x8 Frontier tires? I used Argo's dealer locater, and called the 5 dealers in my area to find out about prices. 3 of the "dealers" had no idea what I was talking about, and neither of the other 2 had the tires in stock. I was priced $126 per tire, along with a $70 freight fee!!!!!! Is there anywhere that I can get them cheaper, or will I end up paying $800 for a set of tires????

[Stonewall]

Over the past week I have taken the 950 back apart and cleaned it up, and finally today got started on my list of improovments. I replaced the flimsy factory lateral brackets with much more substantial ones made from angle iron. Now I can put in the rods between them and the t-20 and start on new chain adjusters.

Note my beautiful new paint color: *ULTRA FLAT* Olive Drab

[Stonewall]

Here are some pics of my new chain adjusters I fab'd to replace those crappy nylon rollers. So far, it looks like it's going to work pretty well. I will have to modify the rear floor a bit so that it doesn't sit on the sprocket. I'm still working on something better for the rear chains, but haven't been able to come up with anything yet.

Sorry for the poor image quality, my camera is FUBAR and I am in need of something better. It's just getting the job done for now