Work Horse GT1600 restoration and conversion to Hydro

[cleat 5,945]

Believe me, it is making me fidget as well but I know that I will need something to keep me entertained during the winter so I will wait.

 

I could likely assemble the entire thing in a day or two but I will try and make it last as long as possible. 

 

Taking lots of pictures and posting them to Redsquare also takes time and keeps me occupied. 

[ebinmaine 67,472]

36 minutes ago, cleat said:

Believe me, it is making me fidget as well but I know that I will need something to keep me entertained during the winter so I will wait.

 

I could likely assemble the entire thing in a day or two but I will try and make it last as long as possible. 

 

Taking lots of pictures and posting them to Redsquare also takes time and keeps me occupied. 

 

 

And we appreciate you doing that!

[kpinnc 12,017]

8 hours ago, cleat said:

Taking lots of pictures and posting them to Redsquare also takes time and keeps me occupied

Does wonders for the rest of us as well. Keep those pics coming!

[953 nut 55,218]

15 hours ago, cleat said:

Taking lots of pictures and posting them to Redsquare also takes time and keeps me occupied.

You are providing a valuable resource for anyone who wants to do the job right. This thread and the detail you have included is wonderful.    

[kpinnc 12,017]

1 hour ago, 953 nut said:

You are providing a valuable resource for anyone who wants to do the job right. This thread and the detail you have included is wonderful.   

[Ed Kennell 38,170]

2 hours ago, 953 nut said:

17 hours ago, cleat said:

 

You are providing a valuable resource for anyone who wants to do the job right.

And entertainment for all that enjoy watching an artist at work.     We like pictures....

[cleat 5,945]

Assembled the front Tach and hood pivot assembly

All parts laid out ready to assemble.

 

Installed the latch lock assembly.

 

Greased the latch pin then installed the front Tach latch

 

Installed the hood stop pin.

This is a different design that I came up with that uses a 1/4" rod inside 3/8 tubing with a cotter pin in the center to hold everything in place.

The factory design has the hood pivots hit the cotter pins when tilted open.

 

Installed the hood pivot brackets and pin assembly.

The pivot brackets were badly worn so nuts were welded on then drilled out to provide a nice tight hinge action.

 

Front Tach lock shaft grip installed.

 

Front Tach decal installed.

 

[kpinnc 12,017]

4 hours ago, cleat said:

Assembled the front Tach and hood pivot assembly

I mean this the best possible way, and I am not pushing sunshine here: You could create a “proper restoration” thread with your restores. Your work is awesome! 
 

the front hitch on my last resto worked fine and it got painted in one pass along with the frame. Yours will function “as new”, as it should be! 

[ebinmaine 67,472]

Just excellent illustrations and instructions here. 

[cleat 5,945]

Brake bracket ready to install.

 

Brake bracket installed.

 

[cleat 5,945]

Hydraulic fitting ready to be installed with new O ring.

 

Hydraulic fitting installed into rear end and lightly snugged.

 

[cleat 5,945]

Motion control plate ready to install.

 

Motion control plate installed.

 

[cleat 5,945]

Cam follower arm ready to install.

 

Cam follower arm installed.

 

[MainelyWheelhorse 435]

@cleat Nice work, It makes me want to redo my 308 back to factory.

[cleat 5,945]

Motion cam ready to assemble along with foot control bearing.

 

Motion cam assembled and cam bearing greased.

 

Motion cam pivot rod made of stainless steel, 2 stainless steel cotter pins, and 2 hardened steel washers along with OEM mounting bolt.

 

Complete motion cam assembly showing how rod is installed.

 

[cleat 5,945]

Mid Tach ready to install.

 

Mid Tach decals installed.

 

Mid Tach lock assembly ready to install.

 

Mid Tach installed.

 

Mid tach grip installed.

 

Overview of frame and Tach assembly.

 

[cleat 5,945]

Lower steering shaft flanged bearing ready to install.

 

Lower steering shaft flanged bearing installed.

 

Frame overview showing mid Tach and Lower steering shaft flanged bearing.

 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,556]

Beautiful work!!! 

[ebinmaine 67,472]

4 hours ago, cleat said:

flanged bearing

 

Do you install other bearings around other shafts like the steering upper or whatever? 

 

Extras that Wheelhorse wouldn't have had originally? 

 

 

[cleat 5,945]

12 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

Do you install other bearings around other shafts like the steering upper or whatever? 

 

Extras that Wheelhorse wouldn't have had originally? 

 

 

Yes, anywhere there is play in the steering I try and add a bearing or bushing to tighten it up.

 

For the 300 and 400 series the easiest fix is to install a flanged bearing normally used on the lower shaft to support the upper shaft.

 

For the early 500 series I use a front wheel bearing in the original bracket after drilling it out to 1-3/8" to fit the bearing.

 

For the later 500 series I drill out the dash to 1-3/8 where the original bushing would normally be and install a front wheel bearing.

 

The steering support block gets drilled and new brass bushings installed top and bottom to get rid of any play.

 

Brake and clutch pedals just get new bushings as required.

 

[kpinnc 12,017]

Bleeping awesome! Not only restored, but improved! 

[ML3 1,203]

@cleat as usual its enjoyable to see the progress. The attention to details is incredible. You remind me of an old boss of mine named Gary. His cars, motorcycles,  house, tools , everything he owned was & is always perfect.  He has a saying that he keeps everything nice for the next person that buys it. Lol! Anytime he decides to sell whatever it may be I usually buy it whether I need it or not. He makes everything better & improved.

Edited Wednesday at 11:47 PM by ML3

[cleat 5,945]

PTO pivot plate ready to assemble.

 

PTO pivot plate assembled.

 

[MainelyWheelhorse 435]

On 11/14/2024 at 8:30 PM, MainelyWheelhorse said:

@cleat Nice work, It makes me want to redo my 308 back to factory.

Still an AWESOME build @cleat I may just have to redo both of my tractors after seeing it….😊

[cleat 5,945]

Console and decal ready.

 

Console decal taped on to mark where holes need to be punched.

 

Decal marked where holes are to be punched.

 

Decal holes punched.

 

Decal taped on ready to be applied.

 

Decal applied and slot for throttle cut out.