Here is a look on where I'm at now...I put the original transaxle back in for now. I did put some LucasOil in the transaxle along with some fresh 90 weight.

I've attached a link to the Peerless site, you may be able to download a manual for that trans, and/or they may have a newer replacement available.

You might be able to find a "similar" seat at your local TSC or equivalent.

Vertical Shaft engines are readily available, download the info on the engine from the Briggs site and get dimensions to assist in shopping. You might check out Power Horse engines, Honda Clone from China which has some very good reviews and seem to "drop in" to all kinds of things.

Looks like a fun trip down memory lane.

Good luck,

Ev

Here is a link that might be useful: Peerless site

Ev-
Thank you very much, kind sir.
Emails sent to the suggested websites.
M

Just found out that power horse only offers horizontal engines.

Sorry,

Ev

The new engine will be an OHV. This will bolt on fine but if you want the same style muffler- that will be an added issue. Some engines come with an above chassis muffler pre-installed. There may be some odds and ends to deal with like wiring. Maybe a donor machine is available economically enough. Single cylinder Inteks are everywhere.

Ev and Tom...thank you.
Peerless replied and confirmed that no replacement transaxles are available and their suggestion was for me to continue to look for a replacement. They said some parts are available, but I'd need to open it up to work out what was needed....and then there's doubt whether or not they'd have the perishables that would be needed to put it back together.

I am waiting on a reply back on the seat company....they asked for details and I passed the dimensions back to them....maybe I'll have a good option tomorrow.

The engine....well, it appears that the company I emailed has a rep that doesn't read very well as he sent me an option for a pull start engine...maybe my clarified reply will help him understand that it has a starter....
sigh....

So, this is about as far as I've gotten today....

Don't know where you're located, or if you tried, but seems you can always find something on Craigslist. Maybe a reasonable donor machine, or someone parting-out a similar machine.

There's also a ton of places out there that deal in used parts. Do a search for 'boneyard' or 'scrap' or 'used'

One other possibility, is to call a local small engine repair shop. A lot of them don't bother with stuff like this, but there's the occasional shop that takes an interest to keeping the old machines running, and may be able to offer some assistance.

Here is a link that might be useful: A Google search of all of Craigslist for Simplicity Regent

Thank you again for the info. The engine shops that sell new (modern) engines were....well, what's the opposite of 'helpful'...
I am re-doing the existing engine with an electronic ignition system.
I made a universal type seat fit and I repaired the shift lever cover. It's not bril, but it looks pretty good...surely better than it was.
A replacement grille will finish the cosmetics and I'm still looking for a Peerless 657 transaxle.

I have to say that you have come a long way here in short amount of time. I think that you have it in you to pull this t/a and fix it up. These aren't horrible to disassemble and clean up like the newer ones w/ the bentonite in them. Chances are you will find what you need on Ebay. There are service manuals online to boot. Maybe you will be fortunate enough to flip a gear or two and put a new key inside. Lookin' good so far!

Here's where I am now. I've done a mend to the grille...certainly not perfect, but it's okay. I should have the engine rebuilt in a week or so.
I'm still looking for a transaxle, but am anxious to see how the heavier oil works.

Looking good! don't forget the hub caps to keep the dirt out.

This post was edited by tomplum on Sun, Feb 8, 15 at 21:43

Never came with hubcaps, Tom.....at least they weren't on there in 1979....am I missing something? PS engine should be ready next week.

Dirt getting in between the front wheel bushing and spindle create wear. It may have not had them, it may have made it thus far unscathed- so the question is do you want them? Most of the more current tractors had them, but in the back of my mind - I think that your wheel hub is a smaller diameter than the common ones today which tend to interchange. I know, chromies!

Tom, I wish you and I were neighbours!

Engine in....but....

The builder put the head studs at the top of the head instead of at the bottom where the muffler bolts on. I threaded new nuts on the studs to show where they installed them....so I'm at a pausing point.

Man- header paint and all! It's looking good, but I'm thinking a chrome spark plug cover would fit right in with those chrome wheel covers.... :)

So, it's all finished. I had it out yesterday for an ops check. It cut effortlessly thru thick wet grass. It's headed up back to my Aunt's ranch for duty in a couple weeks.

The engine builder advised to remove two studs at a time to swop them to install the muffler. That worked fine.

The transaxle (with an oil change and the thicker Lucas product) now holds second gear at half throttle and above.

The bigger front tyres allow it to climb easily over small obstacles, yet there's enough clearance for the steering and mower deck.

Thanks all for the words and encouragement.