Hodge71 664 #1 Posted January 14, 2012 In need of some help guys. I decided that I might as well tear the 18 Auto down and remove every thing that loose on there and can be taken inside for stripping/body work/repainting. I was wondering if someone could help me out with some information of how the D hood attaches to the front grille assembly. Mine has a 1/4x2" bolt with 11 washers on 1 side and a 3/8x1" bolt on the other side.Theres 2 holes that the hood pivots on but they appear to be at least 1/2" diameter. The holes in the grille are 1/4" or so. A pic would be very helpful so that I can find these or make my own. Also a source for the latches on the other end would be great too, as mine are destroyed also. I'll be posting pics as things move along Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fabricator2009 48 #2 Posted January 15, 2012 You can find the latches in the McMaster-Carr catalog. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 664 #3 Posted January 15, 2012 Thanks very much Fabricator, now I just need apic of the other end of the hood from someone so that I can find the bushings. Maybe I can source them from McMaster too.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 664 #4 Posted January 15, 2012 heres pics of the tank before during and complete. It came out pretty ok Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 664 #5 Posted January 15, 2012 Started on the hood with the hammers and dollys. Welded the divider back in where it was torn free by hitting the tractor hood with something pretty sizeable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trouty56 565 #6 Posted January 15, 2012 I think the hood is connected by some unique spacer bolts so that the bolt can be tightened but the hood can pivot. I say pretty sure cause I am not completely sure. It could be a spacer washer also similar to what some of the mower deck swivel joints use. I am not home at the moment to see. You've probably guessed that the setup you have is not OEM....... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 664 #7 Posted January 18, 2012 Heres my new muffler. Gonna do a 2 into 1 with a stack and flapper on top. Muffler is from a Gravely 16 HP rear engine tractor. I wonder how loud its going to be with it being so small..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vinylguy 4,674 #8 Posted January 18, 2012 Hodge if the read owners manual decal is still intact could you measure it for me? I have it a 1x3.5 inch right now but would like to confirm. thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,013 #9 Posted January 18, 2012 Heres my new muffler. Gonna do a 2 into 1 with a stack and flapper on top. Muffler is from a Gravely 16 HP rear engine tractor. I wonder how loud its going to be with it being so small..... Those Gravely mufflers aren't bad at all. My neighbor has a 14 HP Gravely with a Kohler and it sounds just like my C-160. I'm going to use one of those on my Power King when I build the stack. :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobert94 38 #10 Posted January 18, 2012 terry, just measured the decal on the rear of the hood on my 18 auto it measured 3/4 x 3-13/16 hopes this helps Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 664 #11 Posted January 19, 2012 Terry, UnfortunateIy I have stripped the hood already to start doing body filler and priming. I have to order all new decals for my Kohler tomorrow. I will order them and you can ship everything together Jeff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vinylguy 4,674 #12 Posted January 19, 2012 terry, just measured the decal on the rear of the hood on my 18 auto it measured 3/4 x 3-13/16 hopes this helps thanks I will make the adjustment to my file. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,125 #13 Posted January 19, 2012 Tank turned out great Jeff, how'd you strip it? :scratchead: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vinylguy 4,674 #14 Posted January 19, 2012 Terry, UnfortunateIy I have stripped the hood already to start doing body filler and priming. I have to order all new decals for my Kohler tomorrow. I will order them and you can ship everything together Jeff Thanks Jeff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 664 #15 Posted January 19, 2012 Craig, the paint on the tank was in deplorable condition and I stripped it very easily with an 60 grit abrasive disc on my 90 degree die grinder. The grille and hood is definitely another story. I have found no less than 4 different coats of red paint and primer on them. I finally got the grille good enough to paint by 3 hours of abrasive blasting. Its not perfect but it looks a whole lot better than before. I hope to finish the stripping of the hood today and begin the process of hammer and dolly work on the dents and body filler after that. This has been quite the process and I must say its starting to get to me. All I have done right now it the grille insert, tins for the K482, the air cleaner and the gas tank. Its very labor intensive. Maybe more pics later today Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 664 #16 Posted January 27, 2012 Updated pics from the last couple days progress Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,125 #17 Posted January 27, 2012 Moving right along Jeff, keep up the great work. :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 664 #18 Posted January 27, 2012 Thanks Craig.....Its slowly getting there. Fenders and the rest of the tins should be off tomorrow Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jake Kuhn 1,554 #19 Posted January 27, 2012 Looking good! :handgestures-thumbup: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1maidenfan 202 #20 Posted January 28, 2012 Here is a pic of the D series hood pivot bushing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 664 #21 Posted January 28, 2012 Hood is done. 6 coats of Valspar IH red spraybomb on the outside, 3 on the inside. I must say the outside impressed me. Its not a good as something from Martin or some of the other guys on here but its definitely good enough for a 5 footer. I only got 1 run and I should be able to wetsand it flat and its on the side so it'll be under my new Wheel Horse decal on the hood. Inside isnt as nice, but everything in front of the baffle will be covered in acoustic foam anyhow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1maidenfan 202 #22 Posted January 29, 2012 hodge71. I was looking at my 18 auto hood and noticed it does NOT have the baffle or divider(which ever it's called) on my hood? It doesn't look like there was ever one thier? Hood is a little flimsy so maybe I will fab one and install it. Any chance I can get you to post or send me deminsions and locationof the divider on the hood? Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 664 #23 Posted January 29, 2012 Kinda bummed out today. After all that work and with how glossy the hood looked last night, its covered with orange peel now that the paint dried. I have no clue what happened. Do any of the pros have any suggestions and remedies. I guess color sanding and buffingis going to have to happen now. Maiden, I have to teach at my Mason Lodge tonight but I will get some pics and dimensions for you after that. I wonder why yours never had a baffle. Maybe they only did it on the 18 autos. I know this tractor was the prototype for the D's. I have never seen another D, as lame as it sounds.... They just werent a popular tractor around here. Maybe 1 of the other guys can comment.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GerryW 0 #24 Posted January 29, 2012 Your work is outstanding! Sorry to hear of the paint issue, but that hood looked incredible! Can't wait to see how this tractor ends up. Thanks for the pics and story line! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 664 #25 Posted January 30, 2012 Thanks Gerry. I appreciate it. Going to meet a fellow Red Square member tomorrow, maybe some more pics tomorrow night Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
