Just thinking so don’t roast me too bad if it’s a silly idea. 

I have a Honda 5 HP gas engine I think would serve as a prime mover for such a setup. A pony engine for a B! That little motor isn’t being used near enough and runs like a clock. I use it as a backup to the Kubota EL-300 which is a backup for our off grid power for when the sun doesn’t shine or the wind doesn’t blow for several days. The directional clutch and stepdown gearing shouldn’t be all that hard to rig up. Making a bracket to hold the setup, and still be easily removed, presents a problem though. Maybe driving the PTO?

Even though my Father-in-law has the torque tube, and ring geared flywheel, for the B I am highly reluctant to make the switch over. The antique quality of the old machine would be lost, and if I sell it someone else might want that hand crank. I just have physical issues which really limit my ability to spin the engine with enough umph to do the job. Honestly the inherent danger has me buffaloed as well. Too many broken bones already, with a left wrist that looks like a road kill snake!

Edit to add:

I probably should just collect all the parts and see what can be saved and sell what I don’t need to help offset the costs of bringing the B I am working on back from the dead.

Texted him and asked about the flywheel if it had the drive gear an the whole flywheel is missing. Thinks he might have given it away in the 60’s. I can get one with the ring gear with a clutch off ebay, so the dream isn’t dead just yet. Yes a starter will be required!

I am going to drive my old truck down to their place and collect up all the extra parts anyway. There has to be salvageable goodies amongst the junk. Since I have discovered electrolysis I no longer fear rust, and it is amazing how well it works. 

I have your info on file, Steve. That old mag is headed your way soon. The alternator bracket sounds like just the ticket. Being on a fixed income, and not rushed, I want to attack this restoration with sound planning instead of just throwing money at the problems. Yeah it could speed all this up and get the tractor humming in short order with fat stacks, but I am not on a schedule. 

I need to decide if rolling is more important than than a starter, and if starting is going to require a new carb. I discovered a crack in the float segment where the lower mix jet screws into the body, and I fear it is the issue behind short run times before dying. I fear water got in and this crack is a freeze induced problem. The carb may have cracks in vital areas I cannot detect. A new replacement carb will not be cheap, and will probably require tweaking to make work. Glad I bought the rebuild kit!

Excellent idea. I would still worry about kickback though. I have had a big drill bind up and that was no fun.