416-8 fixing up a worker.

[thehorse 221]

Started to take the 416-8 apart to do a mild resto.,,,,,my first attempt. Going to make a decent looking work tractor out of it for my son. Any suggestions on what to do first, anything to look out for that I wished I would have asked about? Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

http://s737.photobucket.com/user/LenHaduck/media/image-4.jpg.html

Thanks,

Len

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,363]

Len,

That is a nice tractor for sure. I would take it apart, pressure wash and degrease it then do it again and then one last time. If you are looking to just clean it up I would use IR Red from Valspar in NON Restoration series. Mix some up with hardener and brush the frame and transaxle. I would use rusto aluminum metallic in a spray bomb for the wheels. Do a good job on prepping all the tins and then spray them a gun and make sure to use hardener and thinner, (Use same ir red). paint the engine with a semi gloss high heat paint. Last thing is to get some decals trom redo your horse (vendor here-Terry is a great guy and does great work). Take your time putting her back together. I would make your son help you as he will remember it for a long time. Good luck !

[Kevbo 80]

Wow all in all it looks in really good condition! Nice 16HP Kohler, those big blocks pack a punch for sure! Are you planning on repainting with new decals? The decals look good from here and so does the paint! I would paint the front grill black and tape off the rest unless you are planning on painting all the sheet metal. You could paint those wheels back to their original silver. Let us know how in depth of a restore that you would like to do and we could recommend further.

 

Take lots of pictures! Download some schematics off of partstree.com  and check out some restored pictures of others on the forum here to use as a reference.

 

If you have any concerns, feel free to keep those questions coming!!

[thehorse 221]

Just was looking at decals....a must. The boy is going to be doing some sanding! Do you think it would be easier to remove the transaxle to clean up and paint it up or just work around what I can get? The valspar spray not durable enough? I think a mouse or 2 must have spent some time around the tractor. Looks like the previous owner did Isome splicing. No rear tail lights so I will have to find some as well as a new throttle cable and 1/2 of the bolts on the sheet metal. Oh...and a muffler. From what I was reading, looks like I will rig up a gravely muffler.

[thehorse 221]

Decals on other side of hood are cooked. They ran it with huge hole in muffler baking that part of the hood. Some of the lights on dash are broken and missing meter but probably won't bother with them right away.

http://s737.photobucket.com/user/LenHaduck/media/image-5.jpg.html

http://s737.photobucket.com/user/LenHaduck/media/image-6.jpg.html

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,363]

I found that a brush is much easier and that paint smooths out well. It goes on thicker to gie a better amount of protection. No overspray to deal with either. I would leave the transaxle on. I have restored several this way and while they are not show tractors, they look real nice. See attached examples.

[welderman85 53]

awsome tractor as for the trans i pull them off and clean them up. i cant speak for the valspar cans but i have used rustoluem spray cans with decent results.

[thehorse 221]

Wow now that's a stable of fine horses. I will probably leave rear on. Now time to start searching for parts.......cha-Ching.....little by slow!

[can whlvr 993]

if you dont pull the tranny i would look close at the mounting plate,they can be cracked

[thehorse 221]

Thanks for the heads up.

[thehorse 221]

I do have a question. When getting ready to paint, how far do you go when sanding off the rust. This is not going to be a parade tractor or anything....just use to mow, blow and tow......but want to do it once...not an...oh I wish I would have scenario.

[thehorse 221]

Well, I started taking down the 416. Not sure yet how far to go but at this point I'm thinking I'll make sure mechanically it is sound and do a decent paint job even if it is rattle can. I'll make sue it gets sanded down primed and painted to protect it but I just can't wait to have the boy run it. Does not need to be a beauty queen. I'll post pics of progress.

http://s737.photobucket.com/user/LenHaduck/media/image-8.jpg.html

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,363]

I would use 120 then 220 grit for final sanding prior to paint. You may want to grind the rust out with a grinder then hit it with rust converter (rusto makes it). Then fill the grinds with light bodyfiller. resand with 120 and then 220. Prime with a few coats of high build primer, wait at least 48 hours and then light sand again with 220, wipe it down and then 5-7 light coats of top coat.

[thehorse 221]

Not sure if I have the patience for that but appreciate it. Every man should know his limitations and with patience.....I'm finding myself limited. There are some dents and a (tear) in the hood. Don't think I can get dents out and was going to try an epoxy and sand the tear...it's not real bad. I should probably focus on finding throttle, does the cable come with the lever also? Also the brake pad seems to be missing some lining but works well. Shifter boot, tail lights, headlight bezel,fuel line, clean tank, filters....wow...first time even decent resto is going to get expensive. Guess that why it takes some guys a while. I think I can live with rattle can on sheet metal and brush frame. Still better than letting it go to the scrap yard!

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

Len, you are really going to like your 416 when its finished and you can work it. I am very happy with mne. The 16hp engine has alot more torque than the 12hp little Brother. The 12 will get the job done just fine, but the 16 is more agressive.