Bobus Catus Rebuildus ( Bobcat Rebuild)

[DDA52]

Andy
You asked for an update in March about the rebuild, well NOW there is something to report.About two months ago, I finally picked up an Onan engine on Ebay with less than 100 hrs on it. Two weeks ago, I harvested the shaft from the old engine and last week I had the Onan dealer rebuild the new motor with the old shaft. Once I got the motor back, things progressed nicely. At present, the Bobcat is painted, mostly assembled and awaiting the completion of the wiring. Here are some pics.

1- before , side view
2- before, face
3- small shop explosion
4- engine damage from sitting outside uncovered 6 yrs.

[DDA52]

Here are more:

1 engine and stator assmbled
2 new faceplate and paint
3 painted frame ready to assemble
4 mostly assembled

[DDA52]

Just for giggles I put the top on it to see what the painted version would look like. This is how it looks now. I've still got a lot of wires to reconnect and the new engine needs some parts to complete it. ( auto idle stuff, Miller muffler, etc. ) All things considered, it has come a long way in the last few weeks.

[hankj]

Looks like after restorus maximus, you'll have weldus extremeus!

Nice job.

Hank

[walker]

Just curious, but why would you rebuild a motor with less than one hundred hours on it. That is not even broken in yet! Perhaps I am misreading, or missed something in a previous post.

[DDA52]

Thanks Hank. It'll be nice to have this done, finally.

Walker
The rebuild on the engine was not to fix it. It was running like a top. It had the wrong shaft to fit the rotor adapter. The plate fits only one shaft, an Onan 45BH. So, as a result of this, I had to put the old shaft in the new motor. It required almost everything be torn down and reassembled.....practically a rebuild. I looked into getting another plate made, but it would have cost almost as much and would have required 6 wks minimum. Swapping shafts was the lesser of the two evils.

[walker]

Ahhh, 'splains a lot. Good luck

[DDA52]

Update
All wiring is done. All parts installed. I still couldn't get it to work, though. After much head scratching and phone calls, I found the culprit. The run/start switch is shorted out. Bypassed it and it fired up. FINALLY!!! Did some elec checks and all is ok. I'll check the weld side once the switch is replaced. Just a few more things to do and it will be ready to go. Good thing to. The wifey wants me to do some cabinets for her. I'll need the shop space!

[DDA52]

Bobus Completus!

Done! I replaced the switch on Mon and installed sheet metal and decals today. Welds just fine, too. I still am going to haul it to the welder hospital for a load test and once over. Should be ok, sure acts like it anyway. Here are the final product pics. Big difference!

[Paul Seaman]

DDA52:
Are you going to put a turn out on the exhaust to keep the hot fumes off the fancy new paint job? BTW it really looks good!!!

Weld well, weld often

[hankj]

Don,

Wonderful restoration.

My thought: "Fondleus notus Bobus Cattus, lest sufferous Erectus Maximus!

Nice job.. Enjoy.

Hank

[DDA52]

Thanks for the kind words guys.

PJ
I'll probably leave it as is. It didn't hurt it before. I did however have a tremendous backfire yesterday. I'm not sure how much guttage the muffler has left. If it is toast, I will probably weld a 90 deg fitting on it and get a quiter muffler to screw in temporarily. Who knows. If it works well, it may be permanent. I just couldn't bring myself to get more parts. The guys at the parts store know me be sight and first and last name! I've been there WAY too often!

Hank
I don't plan on babying it.....too much. Once I'm done looking at it, it's off to work!

[Paul Seaman]

DDA52:
A buddy of mine has a nearly new Bobcat225, and we kid each other that we collectively have all catagories covered. Now all we need is right mind, lol!!!
Looks great, work it till it buys you another one.

Peace,

[DDA52]

DDA52:
, work it till it buys you another one.

Peace,

Don't let my wifely unit hear that one! I may not survive!!!

[aphexafx]

DDA52,

My God, it looks brand new! When I first saw the thing in your original pictures I though, "Heh. Good luck..." I've wholly eaten my thoughts. That's brilliant. Good job!

P.S.> How did you restore the unit's face? In the original it looks completely weathered and washed out. Cheers!