Tucker 543a Restoration

[Rabertron]

Hello everyone. Just started to tear apart our 543a to restore it back to its former glory. Looking for help and advice for this project. Tearing everything apart to be rebuilt. Starting with pontoons and working my way up. Have a buddy that has a machine shop so he is helping me with parts I need to make. We are figuring out how to remake some cleats for the pontoons also going to remake the drive sprockets. Going to be a ton of work I’m sure! I’ll keep posting as I go along. Thanks in advance

 

[Blackfoot Tucker]

Welcome to the forum....

Rather than "reinventing the wheel" with the various aspects of your project, you might reach out to the forum for suggestions. There are a number of members who have "been there and done that" and they're generous with their knowledge and recommendations. They can often make suggestions on improvements to the original design, and can point you in the right direction for sourcing parts.

 

[Rabertron]

Welcome to the forum....

Rather than "reinventing the wheel" with the various aspects of your project, you might reach out to the forum for suggestions. There are a number of members who have "been there and done that" and they're generous with their knowledge and recommendations. They can often make suggestions on improvements to the original design, and can point you in the right direction for sourcing parts.

Thanks
Nothing about "reinventing the wheel" just looking for tips and advice. Also using this to document the rebuild. Have been searching the forums on stuff people have rebuilt. Have found some good stuff so far, already got some ideas on drive sprockets for the pontoons. But yes will probably machine some parts that I believe I can improve upon.

 

[GMoose]

Nice machine you have there. What engine does it have?

 

[Rabertron]

Nice machine you have there. What engine does it have?

I believe it’s a Chrysler V8 not sure exactly. My plan is to pull it along with the manual 4 speed. In its place I’m going to put a 12valve with an automatic. Some may not like it but love the ol 12valve p-pump and enjoy swapping into different platforms.

 

[Rabertron]

What’s in it now

 

[GMoose]

What’s in it now

You might be able to sell that engine and transmission to someone that is wanting an original engine. There might be someone on this forum looking for one. Just a thought.

 

[Bennyboy1337]

Wow... you got your work cut out for you, even more than me A cummings or a cat is about the only engines I think would be worth a swap. Someone dropped a poly 313 V8 in mine in the 70s, I got plenty of power, I just need tracks that are up to the task now

 

[Snowy Rivers]

Welcome to the forum

Doing power plant swaps are always fun.

What tranny you planning on ????

 

[Rabertron]

Not positive on transmission yet. Probably going to go with a four speed. Open to ideas! Made more progress tearing stuff apart today. Is it better to tear every panel off and paint each one? Or paint as a whole?

 

[Rabertron]

Also did a compression check on the ol 12 valve got 350 to 400 on every cylinder so think it will be ok for awhile.

 

[Rabertron]

You might be able to sell that engine and transmission to someone that is wanting an original engine. There might be someone on this forum looking for one. Just a thought.

Maybe if someone hits me up with an offer worst I can say is no

 

[Rabertron]

Wow... you got your work cut out for you, even more than me A cummings or a cat is about the only engines I think would be worth a swap. Someone dropped a poly 313 V8 in mine in the 70s, I got plenty of power, I just need tracks that are up to the task now

Right on. This one ran ok when we ran it about 3 years ago, but would loose a lot of power when you shifted. Tracks are decent going to repair all cleats that are in bad shape. Rollers seem to be pretty good with a bit of grease and love. Pontoons are going to need to be opened up and repaired. Can hear crap rolling around in there when I move them around.

 

[Snowy Rivers]

Painting each panel while you can get at the entire surface area is usually better....

A 4 speed Allison is not a bad choice.....
The 12 valve will not be too likely to shake it apart....

 

[1boringguy]

I believe it’s a Chrysler V8 not sure exactly. My plan is to pull it along with the manual 4 speed. In its place I’m going to put a 12valve with an automatic. Some may not like it but love the ol 12valve p-pump and enjoy swapping into different platforms.

 

[1boringguy]

Not to try to talk anyone out of anything, but just sharing some food for thought perhaps.

My '89 1644 had a Chysler industrial 360 and I rebuilt it to 400+ hp, and 400+ ft/lbs. A couple considerations in my case;
I considered swapping to a cummins but didn't want the added 600lbs of weight that comes with it, on the front end. How big of a factor that is for you would depend on the snow conditions for your use case I think.

When I pulled the stock engine I had gusset to frame cracks near the engine. Tucker said that's not uncommon to see on this era cat, and that they just repair them, as did I. I'm not an expert but would guess the frame on a A-model cat that weights several thousand pounds less than my C-model, won't be heavier built. Also my cat had the Allison Trans, the heavy transfer case, and 70 diffs as stock, hence better capability of handling the added power. I also added the new style belted tracks and drive gears, which would be designed for more hp/torque than pontoon tracks. Again just a guess and there are certainly people here who can tell us if I'm wrong.



I'll admit that, generally in our snow conditions here in the west that one can only supply so much torque before track slip anyway, so how big of a deal is it? Idk But if it were me I'd hang on to the engine/trans if original. Tucker can probably tell you from the serial number if it is.

Great find on the 543 by the way. Welcome, good luck and have fun with it.

 

[DAVENET]

I've been quiet, but agree with 1BG. I believe the old tech running gear (from engine mounting to transfer case to the rollers) will be overwhelmed quickly by the torque from the 12v. The transfer may as well be built out of unobtainium since you would have to buy another machine to replace it. The rollers are $40-50. Each. They do not like speeds over 10-12mph and start to wear quickly beyond that. So, if you are looking to get somewhere quickly, that is the wrong rig. Depending on the past maintenance schedule for the machine, if it not greased religiously, those rollers probably already have some wear and it will only increase exponentially with speed. A newer rubber tracked machine (or running gear from one) would be better suited to handle your upgrade. As for loosing power/speed between shifts, start it in the gear you want to run in instead of shifting.

All of that being said, something like a smaller 4B (or similar) would, and has, worked great. My .02

 

[Track Addict]

Run it as and enjoy the 6-8 mph float!

 

[Rabertron]

Love the input from everyone. Still going to continue on my quest to put a diesel in it though. Just not a fan of the ol gassers and the 12-valve doesn't have a ton of torque so don think it will be too much for it, not going to add power for now. Also, have plenty of JET-A fuel which I plan on running in it. Will be better left in the fuel tank if not ran for a long time plus will still run in -50 weather. The injection system on the p-pump is awesome I could even run used motor oil if I wanted to. I will look at all the frame rails and beef up any weak links as needed.

As for speed not looking for anything crazy 10 to 15 will be fine. I believe the pontoons I have are the biggest they made so believe they will suit my needs terrifically. All rollers feel real good, going to take all tracks apart and replace any worn item. Already have a buddy making new links and rebuilding any cleats that are worn. He is also working on a new sprocket design with replaceable teeth on the sprockets. Those big ass pontoons should get us into some real sketchy situations.

Thanks again keep it coming!

 

[bobbob]

A 12 valve is like 1200 pounds it might perform better with the stock motor in it.

 

[Track Addict]

The value of that cat will be preserved as is and be more power than needed with some easy servicing.

Diesel mod will be a limited market for resale and running the machine that fast will be costly. The mod will decrease value and overkill for the overkill already under-hood as designed.

That being said I split Jacks playing blackjack sometimes just because I can and it’s my money.

Fun ahead either way!

 

[Snowy Rivers]

I will agree with the input of others on the WEIGHT THING

The Mopar is about 500 lb and the 12 valve is in the 1100/1200 range.....A 4BT will tip the scales in the 750/800 range.

The added weight on the front 5th wheel and axle assembly is really gonna be a negative .....Then the added weight of a tranny that can hold the diesels torque and stay together......

Aside from the extra stress on the frame and running gear......the handling characteristics of the machine may well suffer a lot....

On my project I ditched the big block Ford for a small block chevy to get rid of the extra baggage.

If the idea of a diesel is a MUST HAVE......I would go with a lighter package......Maybe an Isuzu ??????

 

[Rabertron]

Enjoying all the input thank you all. Still have along ways to go to! Going to switch gears from power plant talk. I’ll keep an eye out for a lighter diesel as you all suggest.

My buddy Mike and I came up with a plane for a replaceable tooth on the sprockets. He is writing the program for it now once’s it’s all together we’ll do some testing with it to see if it will fit on the cleats good when it’s together. Going to use oil impregnated bronze to make the tooth. The idea is we can replace them as the wear. Not sure if anyone has tried before?

 

[Track Addict]

If you just repair the steel as is make some weld in teeth your kids kids may have do it again one day.

Think about how long they took to wear out the first time.

If the rollers are free on the links and adjusted correctly should be much wear.

 

[Rabertron]

If you just repair the steel as is make some weld in teeth your kids kids may have do it again one day.

Think about how long they took to wear out the first time.

If the rollers are free on the links and adjusted correctly should be much wear.

So what's on there now is worn out to the max. All teeth are worn through and adjusters are to the max. Going to rebuild all connecting links also due to everything being so worn out everything is about .020 oversized from what would be stock. Once I do this I believe will bring all adjusters back in and will be able to adjust back out as stuff wears. But my kids kids won't probably have snow at the rate it's going But we did just get some nice snow in Colorado yesterday!

 

[western auto]

om606 mercedes much better than that heavy 12 valve and wont rattle your teeth out, otherwise id leave it alone

 

[Rabertron]

In case anybody was wondering.

 

[Track Addict]

Check the bottoms of that upper frame. Bet you can punch holes though the metal.

Much moisture and water accumulates inside and rots inside out.

The 53 and 68 I work in both had that issue.

 

[Rabertron]

Got to the bones of the old Tucker finally. Also took input and went with original tooth. We made a tool and die set to stamp out new teeth. Working pretty well.

 

[Rabertron]

Check the bottoms of that upper frame. Bet you can punch holes though the metal.

Much moisture and water accumulates inside and rots inside out.

The 53 and 68 I work in both had that issue.

Frame seems pretty solid. Some of it definitely going to replace. I’m going to replace all the 1/2” square for sure so many holes in it from people adding to it over the years.