1973 10hp - 8 Speed Refresh

[MikesRJ 552]

After a dipper broke off the connecting rod, which caused the engine to throw a rod, it was time for a rebuild. I also decided, since thre engine was out and looking so good, I'd do a refresh of the entire tractor. Below are the before and after pictures of the engine refresh. Tractor pictures to follow.

Edited June 1, 2015 by MikesRJ

[AMC RULES 37,141]

Wasn't a bad looker...  
before it became a work of art. 

[squonk 41,638]

I see I'm not the only one with a workmate with red paint on it!  Of course I have 2 workmates with red paint plus a lift table and an old clothes rack....

[Racinbob 11,297]

Looks outstanding!

[MikesRJ 552]

Well, here's what I'm starting with. The first 4 pics were taken 7 years ago (when the machine was 34 y/o) when I first picked up the machine from a local seller. Been cutting with it every weekend in the summer, and throwing snow every winter. Time to refresh this baby.

 

And the last 5 are as of this afternoon ... More to follow soon.

Edited May 26, 2015 by MikesRJ

[857 horse 2,581]

MIKE,,,,YOU STARTED WITH A VERY CLEAN HORSE...
IT LOOKS LIKE IT WAS TAKEN CARE OF...
CANT WAITE TO SEE THIS MACHINE SHINE....

BEST OF LUCK.!!!!!!!

[MikesRJ 552]

The man who owned it previous to me had taken great care of this machine and was the original owner. I have the original loan document as well as the original manuals and bill of sale. I bought to in 2007 after he'd passed away in 2002, and it sat untouched for over four years in his shed.  The day I went to see his wife and look at the tractor, a neighbor had installed a new battery, we fueled it up, and it fired immediately. To say the least I was quite pleased and have been ever since. It's simply an honor for me to return this machine to its original glory.

Edited May 26, 2015 by MikesRJ

[MikesRJ 552]

Moving right along ... Frame, Hood and half a fender pan today.

Edited May 30, 2015 by MikesRJ

[857 horse 2,581]

MIKE IS THAT A RATTLE CAN ??
OR DID YOU USE A GUN??
AT THIS END IT LOOKS GREAT!!!
 

[MikesRJ 552]

Always a rattle can. I can't shoot an HVLP gun to save my life but can shoot a rattle can better than most. Go figure. In fact, I did my entire RJ with a rattle can. The secret is all in the prep work and spray technique.

Edited May 31, 2015 by MikesRJ

[857 horse 2,581]

MIKE,,,,,THATS SOME CLEAN SHOOTING...
THAT WOULD BE A GREAT PIECE TO BRING TO THE SHOW IN 3 WEEKS...
OR BETTER YET !!!!!!!!
BRING A CASE OF THAT PAINT AND GIVE CLASS'S
SIGN ME UP !!!!!!!
LOLOOL

[MikesRJ 552]

857 horse, has anyone mentioned to you that that all-caps script is hard as hell to read on an iPhone?  

Edited June 1, 2015 by MikesRJ

[MikesRJ 552]

A bit more progress today before the rain threatened to open up the skies. Got almost everything blasted and in paint, all the painting that's left are the running boards and belt guards. Dash tower and steering back in, as is the seat forward cross-member and amp meter. Let these parts dry for five days and I'll wet-sand the hood and fender pan and apply clear-coat. The rest of the painted parts will be re-installed as-is. Also got the dash cleaned and re-colored, and have the first coat of white added to the lettering. The dash should only need one more coat I think. Everything moving along nicely. Might even have this ready for the BIG Show. We'll see.

 

 

Edited June 1, 2015 by MikesRJ

[rmaynard 15,726]

Looking real nice Mike. You and rattle cans are amazing. 

[slovinski 42]

How do you do the white lettering?  Looks factory!

[MikesRJ 552]

Slovonski, the dash is scrubbed and cleaned with a bristle brush and dawn dish detergent. The vinyl is recolored using VHT Gloss Black Vinyl Dye in a spray can. The white lettering is acrylic paint pens. I use two sizes, 1/8" and 1/16". Once the two or three coats of white are applied and thoroughly dry, I buff the face with a paper towel. That's it.

I did a step-by-step article on how to do it a few years ago ... http://www.mywheelhorse.com/modules.php?name=docs2&do=show_doc&id=1

Edited June 1, 2015 by MikesRJ

[MikesRJ 552]

Don't let the pictures fool you Bob, there's a good bit of wrinkling on the frame. Got a little heavy handed, and had my timing a bit wrong between coats. The paint thickness is a bit heavy in a couple of spots, but at least there aren't any sags!

Edited June 1, 2015 by MikesRJ

[dclarke 4,045]

Looks good, Mike! 

[MikesRJ 552]

Thank you, Denny!

[GT14 243]

Great job, gotta show em some love every now and then.

[MikesRJ 552]

Final coats of paint on the hood and fender pan. Dashboard finished and pre-fit to control tower. Seat brackets and hinge restored and installed awaiting the fender pan.

 

Edited June 5, 2015 by MikesRJ

[squonk 41,638]

Looks good Mike and I love the weed eater spool holder! 

[MikesRJ 552]

That spool holder is dusty too!!!

Since the hood and fender pan was dry enough to move, I decided to store them in "sneak peek" mode!

Edited June 5, 2015 by MikesRJ

[Jake Kuhn 1,556]

Turning out very nice mike, and pretty impressive for a spray can!

[MikesRJ 552]

I like the Rustoleum Regal Red color, but the paint has a nasty tendency to wrinkle when it dries. Any temperature change of the metal while drying is disastrous to this crap. Very disappointed with this stuff!  Oh for the days of Valspar Restoration Series paints. I wish they'd not discontinued that paint. 

Edited June 6, 2015 by MikesRJ