Hey all!...WH fan from NC

[N1GHT0WL 1]

Hello all... Just wanted to introduce myself as a new member. I'm Jason, 32, grew up in central PA and relocated down south about 5 years ago. I'm a Network Engineer for a Telco by trade and have been a WH fan since my feet could touch the pedals of our '78 C-141! Which, coincidentally is the reason I registered here. I am about to begin a complete restoration on her!

I'm sure I will have a million questions. Anyone want to take me "under their wing"? I consider myself to be a pretty handy guy (3.75 out of 5 wrench rating ) but I am not sure where to begin. The last it ran was almost 10 years ago. Since then it's been sitting in a barn. Will definitely need new tires.

My biggest question is... How much can I expect to spend? Assuming I will fully strip, paint, rehab, rebuild (maybe), etc. My girlfriend who is the voice of reason thinks I will probably spend as much as I would on a new mower. She obviously doesn't see the fun and pride (and headaches) in such a project!

Anyhow, I am so excited to start this! And thanks in advance for any help! Will try to post some pics soon. (I'm in NC, tractor is in PA)

-Jason

:thumbs:

[d180man 5]

Hi and we like good luck on it !! :banghead:

[JimD 3,345]

i have refurbished two horses so far, with a third(c85) in progress. lots of variables in this. assuming no work on the engine is needed other than a tune up, and not counting on a long trip to go get it, i'd say a couple hundred bucks in material should do the job. if you need sandblasting, sheet metal work, welding and such, it starts adding up pretty fast. again, lots of variables. best of luck with it, and keep us posted with lots of pics, we always like to see how someone else does things. it sure has added to my forever developing skills. :thumbs:

[rmaynard 15,508]

:banghead:

Glad to have you aboard Jason. Your girlfriend may be right, you could put more into it than it costs to buy a new one, but guess what? You will have a better tractor than anything that else you could buy for the same money.

There are plenty of people here that are more than willing to take you under their wing. I myself am a newbie. Just joined in November, and I am restoring a 1977 B-100 that I acquired in 1993. So far, everyone here has been more than helpful.

I am currently on the "correct paint" kick right now. As many members say, I am beating a dead horse as this subject just goes round and round and there is really no correct answer. There are no 'Wheel Horse paint police', and no one is going to judge you on your choice of paint.

There are many sources for used, new, and NOS (new old stock) parts here.

But more than anything, you have joined a group that has the biggest heart on the internet. You will find everything you need here and much more. Just check out this post about the six year old boy with cancer.

Again, welcome aboard. Send lots of before, during and after pictures.

Bob in Maryland

[wheelhorsec85 5]

hi jason , :thumbs:

[oldandred 15]

Frist off

Second dont listen to the girl friend you cant but that tractor any more and the ones today want last half as long and cut as good nor look as good unless you like plastic as for the cost if the engine and tranny are good no work needed. dont worry about spending two to three hundred on a redo like i said they arent made any more

above all have fun doing it.

[gwgdog66 23]

:thumbs: and :banghead:

[VinsRJ 721]

:thumbs:

Resto's or referbs can spiral out of control if you don't manage the project correctly. How do I know, I've got two projects going at once and both have gone deeper than expected.

IMO you should base your project on your expected end results and not on end value. Obviously you have to establish a budget and try your best to stick to it. But, if you choose to go the New Old Stock (NOS) route for parts expect to invest more in the project. Used parts will be cheaper. If your plan is to completely strip and repaint the unit.... then why wouldn't you tear the motor down and referb at least and/or rebiuld at most? See how it can grow? You sound like a handy guy, so first access the unit overall, then make a list of parts needed and/or wanted and then do some reserch here on RS for parts availablilty and costs prior to diving in.

It sounds like you have quite a history with this unit and IMO that should be factored in also.

One last thing we here at Red Square:

Welcome!

[Duff 206]

Jason, ! Glad to have you aboard!

Like many of the guys here, I, too, have more than one tractor currently in the process of rebuild/restoration. Cost is what you are willing to pay. What I keep in mind is the value to me, not anyone else, of the finished product, knowing that it will probably outlive me and will (hopefuly) be passed on to someone who also appreciates these fine machines. That said, though, I'm not made of money so I try to go with good, used parts and do as much of the work as I possibly can myself.

As far as taking you under someone's wing, by joining us you've pretty much landed under the collective wings of the whole group! We'll all pitch in as we are able with advice and pointers, so don't hesitate to ask questions. Reading old threads is another excellent way to get information about your machine, WH tractors in general, and tips and tricks to working on them.

Have fun, and

Duff :thumbs:

[rickv1957 72]

hello and Rick

[chazm 413]

Hi Jason &

:thumbs:

[Indy w h 5]

Just do a complete restore on it and don't worry what the girlfriend thinks!!!

Once it's done you'll get more use out of it than the girlfriend anyway

that's my .02

Indy

oh yeah :thumbs:

[VinsRJ 721]

Just do a complete restore on it and don't worry what the girlfriend thinks!!!

Once it's done you'll get more use out of it than the girlfriend anyway

that's my .02

Indy

oh yeah

He who speaks the truth! :banghead:

[420lse 18]

Have fun with the restore and

Moe in CT

[MikesRJ 552]

:thumbs:

[W9JAB 156]

MATOR, say's Welcome

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,320]

:thumbs:

Mike......

[buckrancher 2,679]

Hi Jason and besure to post some picture's

[whfan74 2,066]

:banghead:

There will be plenty of help here for you and good luck with your restoration!

Keep us updated with pics!

Good luck! :thumbs:

[HorseFixer 2,012]

:thumbs:

[CasualObserver 3,408]

Jason, Some of the other guys have pretty much hit all my opinions, I just wanted to add that yes, you'll spend several hundred dollars to refresh your tractor, but the quality of your end product is far superior. New "lawn mowers" from your local Home Depot/Wal-Mart/etc... are majorly made of Die-cast pot metal and aluminum, stamped low grade sheet steel, and plastic. Your old Wheel Horse has a Cast Iron transmission, angle iron frame and other steel parts.

I would suggest you think about what you want to do with your tractor in the long run. That can dictate what you spend. For example... If you intend it to be a worker rather than a trailer queen, then Krylon, Rustoleum and other easily touched up paints are your better choice over a sophisticated multi-part paint system. You might be surprised how nicely some spray cans do.... and for any parts...Like Vince said, NOS vs used can make a world of difference in price too.

Whatever you want to do, there are collectors, machinists, body-men, and technical specialists here who can advise you on any question you may have. Feel free to look back in old posts. There is a search button about an inch down from the top of the page that can find any post since the forum started. (It can be tricky to navigate, but it does work!) Also... the guys here really like pictures. Please check out the Finding Your Way Around RedSquare Forum for some handy tips.

Once again, make yourself at home, and don't hesitate to ask any questions. :thumbs:

[Suburban 550 28]

:thumbs: Jason.

[N1GHT0WL 1]

As an admin of a large message board, I know how intimidating it can be to immurse oneself into a new board. You guys are very welcoming and I appreciate it!

Now onto the fun stuff... I have the wheels and tires that I will be dealing with first. I figure if I have something solid to roll it around on, that would be best. I'll be doing some searching on here and on the web.

Again, thanks so much guys!

[bitten 134]

Hello and

I wouldnt know how much because I dont keep track.

Not sure if that is on purpose or not.

[dadstractor1 5]

:thumbs: dadstractor