TM Upgrade/Rebuild

Well, it haven't been able to get much of anything done lately, because I've been busy working...the good thing is, the new Kohler is running great and getting the jobs done. 

I still have a bunch of stuff I want to upgrade and need to tidy up on the install.....hoping to get some of those done this wknd!.   

I received some new LED bulbs for my gauges today, courtesy of eBay.
For a new/updated look.   

With old incandescent bulbs...........



With new LED's..........

I'm still waiting on several other ordered parts, and the time to do the work so I can finish the planned upgrades before I take TM out of van to completely disassemble for Line-X/powder coating.

There's a lot of time, work and research involved in doing all this crap!    

Looks good Davey. I'm doing the same thing with the Prochem machine I got from Eddie. I have cut out all of the ribs from the underneath and welding in new ones. I going to paint the whole machine with truck bed liner. Will post pictures later but keep up the good work on your machine.

That new engine looks really nice and the led gauges look cool.How do the look in the daytime?

Looks Good Dave. I got some work coming up this week with my Boxxer 421. Only difference is I'm going to eddies house and work with him. Cause I'm not that much of a greaser. Ill lake a thread on it. Keep up the good work Dave. Got me inspired.

All these new and rebuilt machines are making me jealous. I'm stuck with the same mount I've had for the last 6 years...maybe a new air freshener would help?

Keep it up guys, I like drooling over new machines.

milspec6 wrote:All these new and rebuilt machines are making me jealous.  I'm stuck with the same mount I've had for the last 6 years...maybe a new air freshener would help?

Keep it up guys, I like drooling over new machines.

Haha, only 6 yrs old?....if only mine was that young!!   

I bought mine new in '93, so it's now 21 yrs old, and the reason I'm forced to rebuild/update.

Ryan S wrote:Looks Good Dave. I got some work coming up this week with my Boxxer 421. Only difference is I'm going to eddies house and work with him. Cause I'm not that much of a greaser. Ill lake a thread on it. Keep up the good work Dave. Got me inspired.

Nothing wrong with that, Ryan. Eddie is very knowledgeable, and seems to be a good teacher from what I've gathered talking to him on the phone........but heck, you already know that!   

Just listen an watch him, and I'm sure you will learn and be doing some of your own work soon.   

Mo wrote:That new engine looks really nice and the led gauges look cool.How do the look in the daytime?

Thanks.

The gauges don't look like anything much in the daytime really, can't even see any light really, but there's no need for it in the bright day light.

I'm working on a plan to light the 'non lit' gauges by adding LED's or lighting the entire dash with LED's/LED light strips I've gotten from eBay so everything is visible for night work.  :albino: 

Dave, be careful with the extension hose for the oil drain, I installed the same thing on mine and it leaks, small leaks but it leaks, I had to strap the hose up and tie wrap it to the engine cover to stop it from leaking.

Well, I'm still working on this, as I have time......but I just haven't had any time, being so busy working!   

I've actually decided on some new gauges to add the to this upgrade project, but haven't ordered them yet because I still have way too much on my list of things to do, and parts I've already bought and have, that I haven't installed yet. One day soon, I hope be to the point I'm ready for full removal and disassembly of the TM for Powder Coating/LineX'ing .   

I actually have a new locking throttle/PTO style control cable I'm hoping it get installed tomorrow.....will see!  It's really cool the way it works, much better than the twist-lock I just bought and have on there now, and also the original lever non-locking type I had.

I'll update post as I make progress.  

What was your quote for powder coating or are you doing it yourself? Make sure you get it done before spring or you'll never find the time

I haven't yet got a price on that yet. Because I'm not to that point yet, but it'll be whatever it is, and I'm going to do it regardless of cost......I'm thinking between $2-400 for Sand blasting and painting.

I'm now working on the Kohler exhaust. Making a 2 into 1 collector to join the stock Kohler headers into one single 1.5", that I'll run threw the van floor into a Honda Civic lol muffler under the van.....I tested it, and it really quiets it down!!   

Ok, so I'm finally back to making progress!!   

Finally had a break from working to get the exhaust started, and I'll get it finished with any luck this wknd.

So, it turns out the stock Kohler muffler I got is really nothing more than a damn $200 500 deg. f Furnace!........melting anything that came remotely close to it.

So the plan, eliminate it! lol And use a 2into1 collector to tie the head pipes into 1 1.5" pipe and then route threw van floor into a small auto muffler under the van, accomplishing two things, getting the heat out of the van, and making the Engine exhaust much quieter.......I've already tested new muffler, and mission accomplished, Waaaaay quitter!   

Here's today's handy work..........
Then, this weekend I'll run 1.5" SS pipe threw van floor going threw a custom made flange at the van floor to keep heat transfer to a min, and into muffler under van...

The stock head pipes where they went into Kholer muffler.



Head pipes now joined 2into1



Mounted on Engine.

Wish I knew how to weld. It sure does come in handy

Looks really good. Are you going to wrap it as well to control the heat?

milspec6 wrote:Looks really good.  Are you going to wrap it as well to control the heat?

YES!........I got the wrap today

Looks like your almost ready to get the frame painted

Nice exhaust work and wielding looking good

Davey, you are my kind of guy....I was about to suggest the lava wrap. I guess I should have expected a racer to know about that product.

OK, so I'm finally back to makin' some progress!!    

Been working on the exhaust, connecting the Kohler header to run threw the floor of the van!........get the heat out and Quite this beast down finally!    

You can see in this first pic the K header hanging down in the upper R corner of this pic...and in the lower L is the double insulated threw-floor flange I came up with, where engine exhaust being connected........



Threw-floor flange....



OH WELL, since our wonderful image host seems to not be able to display new images uploaded tonight, I'll have to try again tomorrow.

https://servimg.com/view/18542984/187

OK, so I'm finally back to makin' some progress!!    

Been working on the exhaust, connecting the Kohler header to run threw the floor of the van!........get the heat out and Quite this beast down finally!    

You can see in this first pic the K header hanging down in the upper R corner of this pic...and in the lower L is the double insulated threw-floor flange I came up with, where engine exhaust being connected........



Threw-floor flange (Top, in van)....



Flange (Bottom, under van) that will connect to muffler.........

Silicone exhaust hose used for couplers.....



Pipe routing complete in van, with wrap.....sorry Rob, I got this tan colored 2" wrap free and it was better suited for this section, but I'll use Lava wrap on header pipes.   

OK, got under the floor of the van, and got this done, today.   

Now it's time to get back to work!!