My first six wheeler

[StanW3]

Today I picked up my first 6x. Found it on Craigslist and thought it looked like it would be a fun project for my sons and I. Don't know squat about it but it doesn't looked too complex. Engine (Briggs 8hp) spins freely by hand. Been sitting over 25 years. Anyone know what it is? Time to start wheel/tire shopping.

[gearhead1937]

Looks just like an amphicat I have in the shed... about the same condition too. I guessing eary 70's. I remember seeing numbers on the frame of mine, but I can't remember where. This also reminds me that I have a owners manual and a parts manual for this machine. I'll try to get them scanned tomorrow and sent to Mike so he can post them on here if he wants. Mine doesn't have an engine, I'm glad to see yours has an 8 horse because that is what I'm planning on putting in mine. Good luck and keep us posted. Just thought of something else... watch out for the tranny I've read it can be a little weak. Don't abuse it.

[Mike]

Hi Stan, welcome to the site. There are a handful of brochures on your Amphicat in the brochure section of the site and a parts manual in the manual section. You may want to check them out:
Amphicat 6x6 ATV
Amphicat Parts Manual.

Gearhead, I would definitely put up any owners or parts manuals. That would help a lot of people out. Thanks for the offer.

[LarryW]

Congrats on your 1st 6x6. Many more will some how follow you home. Looks like that amphicat has potential. Im sure you will enjoy fixing it up and getting it going.

[gearhead1937]

I just created a couple of albums... one for the owner's manual & another for the parts manual for your new Amphicat. During the upload the order seems to have been reversed. A couple of the scans are a little light, if anybody needs a paper copy just pm me your address and I'll send them via snail-mail. Mike feel free to do anything you want with the manuals.

[StanW3]

Amphicat is back!!! My son and I have been hard at work the last week to get this project going again! We are now fully disassembled and going through the mechanicals Today we will drop the frame off for blasting and powdercoat. The axles on one side were so rusted they could not be saved. I'm wondering if there is a source for these or if it will have to be a custom maachine shop deal ($$$). Also - is there a good source for bearings for the axles? I'll break them down soon to see if the housing are salvageable. Pics coming now - thank for any input and advice!

[StanW3]

[Dirty Harry]

Looks like a basketcase, Stan, but it also looks well worth saving. The good news is that the frame appears to be in good, solid shape and should be restorable once you blast and paint it. The engine I have no clue about. A good machine shop should be able to set you up without charging and arm & a leg if you can bring them one of the "good" axles for them to get measurements from for those 3 that need to be replaced. Newly fabbed from a shop will almost certainly be cheaper than buying replacement axles from Richard's Relics. Heck, see if they can do them in stainless steel for you, to help reduce potential problems later on down the trail.

I couldn't see any of the photos in your first post. Did the 'Cat some with the stock seat / floorpan? If not, one or more of the Amphicat owners here on this site might be willing to pull theirs out in order to give you some dimensions to help fab up a new one. You have your work cut out for you, but you're already making lots of headway. Keep up the progress and keep us updated with lots of pics! (We love pics!)

[StanW3]

The pan is here and cracked. We got the engine running after some carb work and getting the valves free. I still have to come up with some replacement for the exhaust.

Bearings, brass bushings, chain, and axles are the biggest $$$ concerns - but I have no idea what to expect.

[Dirty Harry]

It's surprising to hear you got that old mill running and I bet that's a relief for you, as it means one less thing to pump money into. The body looks decent except for that huge crack right in the middle of the dash. How's the underside look? With some repair / reinforcing no one will ever know how rough it looked when you picked it up, especially after you thoroughly sand & primer it and apply a few coats of shiny metallic (or pearl) red paint! You should be able to get some reproductions of the cool Amphi-Cat logo to go on your rig once it's all done, too. Nice job so far!

[jpswift1]

If you call the guys at Buffalo Bearing, they'll be able to help you out. They help us 6x6 folks out all the time. It looks like this is going to be a really nice project, and I think it has tons of potential! Keep us updated on the progress, I love seeing restoration/rebuild projects like this.

1 800-669-8019

Buffalo Bearings Inc.

[StanW3]

Picked up the six outer bearings and seals as well as the two bearings where transmission hangs from. $107 for all 14 pieces - not bad I suppose. Frame and a few other pieces will be home tomorrow from powdercoat. That is going to cost $120. The coil I had to buy for the engine was $50 so at this point I'm $377 into the project. Chain is next - then the big money....tires.

I'd like some advice on the axles. I know I can't get the original wheels/tires and that the three stud pattern should probably be updated. I don't expect this thing to see much (if any) water so I'm wondering what to do for axles and wheels. Is there an easy way to do a conversion? My axles all have to be re-made anway so is there another alternative I should consider?

Also - I'm attaching a pic of the trans pulley. It looks like the woodruff key/pin is out of line and has truned in the pulley. How do I get that assembly apart to fix it? I removed the three nuts on the back and that was clearly a mistake as the spring pushed the rear cap against the case. Any help is appreciated!

[StanW3]

another shot

[hydromike]

yikes! I'm not sure what could have happened here, but my first assessment is that someone put a secondary clutch with a larger inside diameter than the outside diameter of the shaft, and sort of jammed it on there. The key appears to be holding it together. Is the hole in the shaft threaded? If so, the secondary clutch was likely held on with a bolt and washer. I imagine you could just tap (heat and BFH, if necessary; I don't think you'll be saving it....) the secondary off, and try to find one with the correct I.D. The keyway doesn't appear to be sheared of, judging by this picture. If you get it off, (and the shaft doesn't look completely mangled) measure the O.D. of the shaft, and we'll see what sort of secondary clutch you can slap on there.

[gearhead1937]

Might try drilling the key out. Start small and work bigger. If you get it hollowed out it might collapse on itself relieving pressure and make it easier to pull.