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I lucked up and found an online auction with some Wheel Horse parts. One of the items I bid on was this set of red head hubcaps. They have cleaned up very well and I think I got a good deal!

Happy Happy @ZXT !!! … Off XLT's profile page fellas …. Old tractors, old cars, old music and young women.

My bad … that's right Elmer had had the rabbit thing going.. same era so close Well next time keep those pics under wraps! Some assembly work... laying the keel. Just blacked out the motor but here another mistake. With all the fun I had manually stripping the old paint off the tranny I just painted over the old red. Should have took the time to strip but easy enough to pull the motor and repaint. All stainless hardware. All new custom wiring harness with lighting additions.... finally something I am fairly good at! All terminal ends soldered and shrink wrapped. One of the things one has to be careful with this kind of build is not scratching paint. For got to mention earlier in disassembly since I have busted getting hard to find three bolt hubs before I just got one easy side off, disassembled the diff in case and took the stubborn one to the press. Always one of my goals on custom or mechanicals only restos it to tighten up steering. A 702 has never been know to have a tight turning radius due to the steering setup so not much a guy can do about that. To address steering wheel slop these bolts that connect the drag link to the steering arms were worn at the grease hole. Since I don't have access to the equipment to make new ones I built up brazing material around the wear point and ground/filed back down to size & opened the grease hole back up. That and re-bushing the entire steering system helped a lot. Another set back... the clutch rod and parking brake lever that was on it never was quite right. Out to the magic parts shed to look for something that would work better. Hence the black clutch rod. Really should have sorted this out before disassembly & paint. Tires ….. on the fronts I just cleaned up and reused what was on it. The rears were ok.. but somewhat weather checked so new. Found here at not the worst price https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001THCJAW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 All new tubes & stem protectors https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081K76RDR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Since I had six of them to do figured it was time for a HF mini changer. For 40 clams the thing works pretty good once ya get the hang of it & a cheater bar. Helps to have two guys as the clamping system to keep the rim from turning sucks. still all four tires mounted in less than an hour. Was really handy to get the lug pattern. I offset them just to be different. @19richie66 … I hope yer happy .. I glued them to Steve on a stick @stevasaurusalong with yours for more facial hair! As Elmer ….Porky says …. ... maybe a few more later you boys behave...

I’d enjoy the comments much better if there were some ooohs and aaahhhs about the nice finished product

Pretty close Jim. 3a - We used 400grit. 6 - 3 coats of urethane clear after the candy apple red was applied. No Jim, this was Cindy's idea,... after I showed her some pics of bikes that I had painted in the past.. You should be happy that she did not pick a Kameleon color, that stuff is $32/ounce. The manufacturer of the chosen paint is House of Kolor. The silver is their Shimrin BC-02, the red is UK-11 Kosmic Urethane. The flame colors were Shimrin BC-04 Stratto Blue that I had laying around, the charcoal was something that I custom mixed using the Statto Blue and Meteor Maroon. I won't discuss paint price, let's just say that I almost crapped a Twinkie when I got the price from my jobber. I could not believe the price increase since the last time that I had bought this paint. Here is a pic or the UK-11 Kosmic Kolor can. To me spraying this paint is fun & made me miss doing custom paint jobs on motorcycles. Please note that this paint is not necessarily for a novice painter it takes some practice to get a uniform color from a tinted urethane clear.

I recently picked up this nice looking rj25 clone. It is supposed to be a 1956 model. Any ways to pin down 56 or 57? This is sure to take longer than my usual restorations. I have already scored a good running Briggs model 8 engine with recoil for a great deal. I plan to keep it a rj25 tribute or clone. The color has to go as it is a maroon now. Also the fuel filler hole was filled with fiberglass and bondo which will be filled with a metal plug. Anyway, I’m really happy and am excited to get into the transformation.

Picked up a Brinly plow.

Today dad decided to break up the soil in the strawberry garden and decided to use Blackbeard which has a cat-o hitch. He put the brinley adapter on it and used the cultivator that I got from @AMC RULES Than You! I grabbed the phone and did a little video of dad...enjoy!

Oooohs... Aaahhhs... Oooohs... Aaahhhs... Oooohs... Aaahhhs...

Got the newly acquired raider 12 and 1277 fired up and took them for a short ride. Drivetrains and engines good, now on to maintenance and belts, maybe a bath. Also dragged the 520H down to the shop for its 25 hour 'post restoration' checkover. Ran over a big nail the first day with the new tires of course, and the plug didnt seal 100%, so broke the tire down and patched correctly- thats a real picnic getting 7 gallons of washer fluid out of there without making a huge mess. Also pulled the carb and did a proper dip clean to combat an occasional surging issue, and figured might as well reseal the intake halves while im there. Sure enough, it was leaking, and probably the real reason for the surge.....

I took the cylinders off this morning, and disassembled and cleaned them, need to get more orings today, the shop i went to gave me the wrong size on a couple of them no big deal should have it back together today. Heres the cylinders waiting for assembly

Short turn is to raise them up and have them lay eggs. She plans on letting one hen sit a batch of eggs next spring. She has 18 with three of them roosters, they are almost 2 months old now. I always enjoy having some fresh food you know where it came from

Not funny. Well, not THAT funny. ok, you got me!

Credit goes to Dan ther for that Randy.. Ok ... you guys mostly behaved.. well maybe not EB or Pullstart so heres a few more. Hubcaps... as mentioned earlier Tom had a set of them that he woulda sold with the tractor at but at the time I saw no need. Not NOS by any means but not the worse for what he was askin. In our weekly Sunday morning check in I asked if he still had them and was willing to part with them. Well after some sticking it to me in the ribs about a trade for a certain RJ nothin else was said. Couple a weeks later I come home from work to find a flat rate box on the porch with these in it. Like I said not NOS but definitely usable. You guys know what these go for on fleabay. Bit of the red and black paint gone but ... Stripped the factory paint off, mixed up a little CA that was left ove and set Cindy to work. Now she's no Rembrandt either but came out well. She did a nice job, not perfect but good enough for the guy I go out with she says. They really pop in the glamor shots. Since I didn't really know if we would run them in the end or even then I set them up for scratchless install ala @Racinbob which I detailed in another thread.

No pics, but yesterday, i changed out my 1st fuel line, on my newly acquired c160😊... ...and as an added 'bonus', drained n cleanedout my fuel tank, when i pulled the fuel shutoff, too...!🤔🤣😂 Well, i learned a few xtra things with THAT process, anyhow...!😉

I have some tractors I'd "let you" work on if it helps.

We broke Quarantine to go get it

Keven, you shuffle parts faster than a Vagas blackjack dealer!

Not sure about the rototiller gearbox but the engine probably wants straight 30 HD detergent oil. I'm assuming your transmission is an 8-speed? If that's the case just pick up some 80w 90. 2 quarts. if you haven't already done so order up a shift boot. That's probably dry and cracked. If you're changing the gear oil in a manual transmission you should try to get the front of the tractor as high off the ground as you can safely do so because there is a bump in the base of the transmission that will hold gear oil in a pool. if what you drain out of their looks a lot like coffee with too much creamer or liquid caramel, you may want to do a flush with either diesel fuel or kerosene. Driving around 4 a bit and drop that stuff out and put the nice new clean gear oil in.

Because of the job that I have I operate quite a few different types of equipment. Regular cars of different sizes. A pickup truck occasionally. A 2 ton flatbed with about an 11 foot bed. And it progresses up from there to the crane truck which is a 41000 pound vehicle, empty. iRun demountable forklifts on a regular basis. At least three different machines. I also run standard type counterweight forklifts. Keeping all of that in mind, I've noticed over the years that not only does each type of machine have its own way that needs to be operated... But each individual machine has its own personality. My Cinnamon Horse which is a C-160 is a fairly similar beast to yours. I've actually gotten into the habit of pressing the clutch and literally waiting to see what happens for a split second. Sometimes the machine will slow down or even stop on its own and I don't even need to use the brake. I don't think it's unreasonable at all that yours would have a transmission that drags enough to slow down the vehicle substantially without actually even using the braking system.

More oooohhhhhhhh‘s and aaaahhhhs! For Kevin. Looking fancy sharp, that glossy candy red in combination withthe Black on the Engine.

Job done!

Alright—-several things from these pics: 1) I really like that 1277 in the first pic. I grew up using an 875 (in my avatar) and I have a special spot in my heart for that specific set of square hoods whether long or short frame 2) that custom seat cover on the raider 12 is pretty cool. It looks like it was set up to match the decal on the hood. I’d like to see more pictures of that once the tractor is all cleaned up. 3) I really like your 520 but with me, you can’t just take a picture of it in front of a 1966 GTO without so much as an acknowledgement😉! I brought @JCM‘s thread on muscle cars and hotrods back to the top of the off topic page. Please post some pics there of what appears to be a saaawweeet machine and tell us a little about it. Looks like you had a fun filled Wheel Horse day for sure!

We have used Blackbeard for a variety of yard tasks over the last several days. It seems like everyone wants to use him for something. Anyway, I decided to hook the cultivator bar on the back and dig up last years plowed under strawberry bed. I bought a project Cub last spring that had a Cat 0 on it and a Brinly A-frame adapter. As noted earlier in this thread, that adapter has gotten use on this tractor since it is the only one in our herd with an installed and functional Cat 0. I know that I needed to start working up that garden but I wasn’t sure which machine I wanted to use. Why not try the Mighty GT-14? Several things to note about one of these tractors if you have never been around one... —they are big tractors. Lots of iron with a solid presence. I noticed just how solid as I was traveling over the uneven plowed ground to start with. —they have full hydraulics. It is so nice to be able to lift implements with literally the flick of a finger. —all the controls are either on the dash or the center of the tunnel cover. The designers placed the lift lever within inches of the direction/speed control. This allows the operator to control the precise speed of the machine while lifting and lowering the implements as needed without having a third arm for the steering wheel! Im sorry these pics aren’t better but we were working in the shade already and it doesn’t make for the best photos. I really liked working with the Cat 0 because I could create down pressure with it. Last year when we used JackRabbit for the same purpose, we had to add weight to keep it in the dirt. Next up, I need to get the tiller pulley situation figured out and try out the awesome tiller on this dude before tearing it down to be repainted. On a side note...the only thing that bothers me with this tractor right now is that the hydro seems really noisy. It still has good pressure but I’m afraid that when I blew that line a couple of years ago that I either trapped air in the system or just plain caused some damage. Maybe it is just nerves...? This is a fun bonus pic! I picked up this 982 IH Cub last year for the super low hour replacement engine in it and a hydro turn 54” blade for my buddy. Now that I had what I needed it was time to sell. These genuine IH produced Supers are hard to come by and I’m sure someday I’ll regret selling it. However, someone wants to buy it and so we had to tow it out to the ditch and load it in the pickup bed for the trip to IL. Blackbeard was up to the task of towing the Cub and @Coulter Caleb was up to the task of driving!

This is a great build and I’m enjoying the comments and the progression—after the fact

Great write up Jim keep em droolin! But it was Porky Pig

New Tires and front weights on the Charger 12. Incidentally when I removed the rear wheels, there seemed to be a lot of back lash in the final drive, which became obvious to be in the hub / axle attachment. Long story short; new key way cut into the hubs, new hardened wood ruff keys, and two alloy hardened sets. Sets and keys came from McMaster Carr, Key way cut at a local machine shop. A word to the wise: If you have a machine with these style hubs, put a wrench on them from time to time and maybe save later repairs.

Almost finished with my wife's chicken pallace, here is a picture of my 656 and the support wagons I use dragging materials and tools back and forth from the shop. Stay well everyone.

So after pulling the tractors out last weekend, I realized Chief and Big Junky are both tractors that I shouldn’t let anyone drive. The motion controls are sloppy, steering is sloppy, just not safe when children are very often a mix in my tractor world. They both run great and would be better off as donors to make other tractors run happy. First, Big Junky the 1076 will be stripped of his engine for Scoop the C-161 black hood. We have some friends looking for an affordable entry into plowing at the farm for their kids. I’m planning on looking at a GT-14 package soon and plan to have Scoop and the better GT-14 prepped to go to their greener pastures. I introduced on of the kids not too long ago, he’s the 14 year old running a beef farm. He’s up to 30 something head of cattle and is a big John Deere fan... up until he saw our Wheel Horses ❤️ As for the other GT-14, I believe it’s a mostly complete basket case other than an engine. Chief’s 16 horse Kohler will be a perfect candidate for that project! Stay tuned...

OMG!!! now that's funny Kevin!! I'm sure Jim has no idea what you're talking about but I all but spit my booze out & was rolling on the floor after I read that.

‘Cept it’s ok to keep a few up my sleeve

Overlap, distance of the gun from the surface and rate of application all need to be totally consistent or you will end up with stripes and blotchy areas. You did a great job.

Thanks everyone! I appreciate it! I'm getting on up in years now...

Clearing out a bit so I can put a few machines up in the rack again... Already getting somewhere with just 4 in or under the racking.

I also will be looking for original hood and grill once I return to work. (Covid-19)

I would try here on the wanted page, Facebook market,and craigslist. I dont blame you i have a major dislike for new overseas junk! I know some folks get butt hurt when i say that but i am an originalist. as close to factory as can get is what i deal with and what i like to work on. So very happy to hear that you want to bring her back to her former glory! Good hunting those engines are around you will find one. I use to have a few of them but sold them. If you ever need other parts i am on here of course and Facebook and check out my you tube channel (Nathan Bottjer) I have a few videos of my original 1963 953.

Do you have the correct 953/1054 grill and hood? We have a few members that sell rebuilt or tested good used engines. Perhaps @richmondred01 or @A-Z Tractor can help you out.

Post in the want adds section of the classifieds...

Ok, one more for now. Since you folks like the no frills, old school mechanical stuff like our beloved Horses, this is my parts chaser- 35 Chevy master coupe, factory suicide doors. Hopped up 250ci inline 6 with a ton of head work making about 300hp, Muncie 4 speed, 88 corvette front end, chevelle 10 bolt and coilovers out back. Low 9s at 78mph in the 1/8 mile

Thanks Jim for the mention. I’ll have a bag of nubbies for you next time I see you. All four of Lil’Reds tires are bristled with them. I’ll pay the grandkid to clip them off. Tractor is beautiful. Very nice job. By the way..... it’s Wabbit season

@PeacemakerJack spotted a goat in the background of some tractor pics I posted earlier and mentioned this thread. I own a classic car/hotrod shop and can fill this thread with some cool pics if theres interest. If you want to see it, we probably worked on or built it and have pics to post. Stuck in the office doing books right now so snuck over to post a pic of that GTO that Peacemaker requested, will post some more later. This one is a customers 66, he built the entire car 20+ years ago, and we installed an overdrive automatic in it, replaced body bushings and some other minor details. Original 389 under the hood, now 408ci roller with Kauffman heads and EFI. Tons of suspension and steering upgrades, shes a corner carver more than anything. Hope you enjoy! PS- The name of my shop is Midnite Auto LLC, we have a 'not too often updated' website and are all over the interwebs and social media, mainly facebook. Tons of pics there!

But, there is a small smudge of dirt on the front left tire clearly visible in the second and third pictures. It really detracts from the outstanding craftsmanship depicted elsewhere... Simply beautiful work!

Gotta admit, the first time I sat on the 1277 and grabbed the hydro stick to move it, the thing just "feels right". The stick function is 1000x better than my 520. Not sure if ill flip that one or keep her, really like it! The seat cover on the Raider, I had no idea that was custom, how cool? One owner tractor and he was a farmer- so nice to find a clean, well maintained machine that hasnt been hacked by 14 backyard mechanics (not that theres anything wrong with that lol). Part of the mule drive is broken, I bet thats the only reason it got put away in the barn. As for the muscle cars- stay tuned and I will add some to the off topic thread. I own a classic car/hotrod shop and have a few of my own as well. The 66 GTO belongs to a customer- just did an overdrive swap and some other minor things. Its powered by the original 389, now 408 inches, with a roller cam, aluminum Kauffman heads, and fuel injection. Nothing radical but strong, and has a TON of suspension and brake upgrades- a true cross country/mountain roads monster

Got one for sale here Jack you really think you have to have one! Just out of curiosity here Roger what did they charge you for doing it?

It'll be fine all except maybe right beside the exhaust port. Definitely best to paint as it is. Then add tin. Very nice!

So my wife & I are out for our evening walk... Being trash night I am of course observing the opportunities in front of each house and... Score! Another perfectly good wheelbarrow tossed due to a flat tire... Third one in the past year... other two are converted into WH trailers and are proud members of the SL&WHN RR... 5 minutes and a spare “no flat” tire from the last trash pick barrow and I’m in business! This one will stay a wheelbarrow for now... While it sickens me what people throw away, I will continue to take advantage of it...

Your wife's chickens live in better quarters than most people in several other countries.

Finally sorted the 416-8 onan surging and cutting out. Cleaned out the fuel pump, replaced the manifold gaskets and replaced the carb purchased from a member kind enough to ship it to me in the UK. True gent 👍

Ok some more teaseing…. The paint..… was very expensive, not exactly a 6 buck rattle can. Dan can chime in on the exact brands/colors or I can take some pics of the cans if anyone else has got the hair to do this. The whole paint scheme was thrown in his department. Was his crazy @$$ idea anyway! I was just slave labor and ball cap stripper glitter awardee.. Chime in here Dan if I'm wrong here on the exact steps. 1 Bare blasted metal 2 Self etching primer 3 Three coats of gray primer. 3a Mist the sheet metal parts with rusty primer then wet sand with 1000 grit till mist is gone. This is a real time consumer as it has to be done by hand. Two guys going at it goes quick. 4 Three coats of silver metallic. This is where I got the stripper glitter from... the stuff just hung in the air. More than one guy asked me what establishment I had visited and why I had so many dollar bills in my wallet 5 Three coats of CA red. When they were first shot a thought they looked maroon. I hate maroon. Red parts roasting over an open fire The hood... little bit of bondo but not bad. Straitening hood fins was a bit of a pain. One was stretched and had to be cut and re-welded. Could have worked on in much longer but figured it was close enough for the girls we go out with! We did miss one tiny little dent... character I says kinda got hid in the flames. Flamage…I had overheard him yakking something about this with Cindy but thought they both just on crack. This was all done by Dan by hand. Note how they seem to overlap. I don't know if I got a headache from looking at all those crazy lines or the sniffing the stripper glitter! Sure was interesting to watch him.... Yah I don't think this is his first rodeo... One of things about this paint is it looks totally different in different types of light. Some of the pics it looks orange... pops red in sunlight tho. As Elmer Fudd I stand corrected..... Porky Pig would say.... Ebadebadeba that's all folks. Tune in tomorrow same bat time same bat channel for final assembly.