854 Restoration Project

[WH1618speed 535]

Hello, after having this tractor for a few years, it is time for a restore. This will be my 5th complete restore and hoping to make this one my best. This tractor is really straight and runs like a top. Perfect candidate for a restore. 

[ri702bill 8,316]

Nice! One of my favorites. If you are going with the "correct" 1" showerhead muffler, that could be upwards to half the cost of the entire process.... Are the engine and Unidrive coming apart??? Judging by the front wheel toe-out, there may be worn parts there... A nice new set of adjustable Heim end tierods is a nice upgrage...

 

Edited May 15 by ri702bill

[WH1618speed 535]

1 hour ago, ri702bill said:

If you are going with the "correct" 1" showerhead muffler, that could be upwards to half the cost of the entire process.

Already a step ahead of ya! Picked this one up at the Big Show. The threads need retapped, possibly welded. The engine runs absolutely perfectly; Unidrive may come apart at some point. Good suggestions on the tie rods. 

 

 

Edited May 15 by WH1618speed

[ri702bill 8,316]

Nice - but the raspy "bark" can be annoying - kind of like the noise an ex-wife makes when the check is late.......

 

Why not just weld it all around to a close nipple???

Edited May 15 by ri702bill

[Pullstart 62,834]

Man, it looked great the way it was… 

[WH1618speed 535]

6 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

Man, it looked great the way it was… 

I know, I was really wrestling with whether to keep it original but this one is too good not to be restored. It has been really well taken care of. 

[Pullstart 62,834]

20 minutes ago, WH1618speed said:

I know, I was really wrestling with whether to keep it original but this one is too good not to be restored. It has been really well taken care of. 

Who am I to bust on you about that, with all my customs anyway?

[Achto 27,565]

[87 416-8 horse 420]

[WH1618speed 535]

I made some more progress today. I primed the sheet metal, and the tractor was mostly torn down and washed. The goal is to have the whole thing primed by the end of next week. I also ordered all-new 304 stainless hardware! I plan on tearing it the rest of the way down on Monday and sandblasting the frame and cast parts (pedals, foot rest etc.) Hopefully I'll get it done before the Big Show!

 

Pretend that John Deere sign isn't there 😬

 

Trace

 

 

Edited May 19 by WH1618speed

[Pullstart 62,834]

Might wanna add an alignment to the list of things to do!  

[953 nut 55,188]

8 hours ago, WH1618speed said:

Pretend that John Deere sign isn't there

If you had.t mentioned it I probably wouldn't have seem it, my eyes are trained to only see RED.

Nice work you are doing there            

[WH1618speed 535]

6 hours ago, Pullstart said:

Might wanna add an alignment to the list of things to do!  

Yep looks like it needs adjustable tie rods lol 

[WH1618speed 535]

Has anyone ever seen this? Is this one of those new bluetooth fuel pumps?? I've never seen one without a push rod for the pump. I am just hoping it didnt fall apart when I took it out. Just want to make sure this is normal. My 702 with the K161 has the pushrod type. 

[rjg854 11,360]

That's a pulse fuel pump, common on 8hp engines of that time period. My 854 has one. My 68 Commando 8 has one also.

Edited May 20 by rjg854
Add

[WH1618speed 535]

2 hours ago, rjg854 said:

That's a pulse fuel pump, common on 8hp engines of that time period. My 854 has one. My 68 Commando 8 has one also.

Thank goodness lol, I am glad its normal then. Do you know i can get a gasket for it? This one looks different than the mechanical pump.

 

[rjg854 11,360]

I don't believe it's any different than the one with the arm.

[squonk 41,067]

Same gasket.Cam has the eccentric if you need to replace the pump with a lever style. Small block Kohler's use an offset lever. Big blocks use a straight line lever. 

[953 nut 55,188]

13 hours ago, WH1618speed said:

Thank goodness lol, I am glad its normal then. Do you know i can get a gasket for it? This one looks different than the mechanical pump.

 

If you are talking about the gasket between the pump and engine block they are all the same.   If you are talking about the diaphragm in the pump then they are different.       https://www.then-now-auto.com/product/ac-4s-vac-kohler-vacuum-pump-kit/

[rjg854 11,360]

The diaphragm you can get from @buckrancher

[WH1618speed 535]

4 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

If you are talking about the gasket between the pump and engine block they are all the same.   If you are talking about the diaphragm in the pump then they are different.       https://www.then-now-auto.com/product/ac-4s-vac-kohler-vacuum-pump-kit/

Alright thanks!

[953 nut 55,188]

1 minute ago, rjg854 said:

The diaphragm you can get from @buckrancher

That is true but if you are going inside a pump you may as well replace the valves too, they tend to accumulate junk and not seat over time.

[DBlackston 298]

On 5/18/2024 at 9:24 PM, WH1618speed said:

 I also ordered all-new 304 stainless hardware! 

 

Might I inquire where you ordered it, and what it cost?

[WH1618speed 535]

15 hours ago, DBlackston said:

 

Might I inquire where you ordered it, and what it cost?

i ordered it from Amazon. 20 pcs of 3/8-16 for $18 and 1/4-20 for $9 for bolts 

 

25 3/8-16 nylon insert nuts for $9

100 1/4-20 nuts for $6

 

Also got a misc. flat washer kit for $6-8

Edited May 24 by WH1618speed

[WH1618speed 535]

Got some new rubber in for the rear!