56 RJ35

[Jake Kuhn 1,556]

Yes, I have decided to start on another project. I'll learn someday but couldn't resist! This one is a 56 or late 55 rj35 with the stamped frame. I started working on it a couple weeks now, but just now taking the time to get it posted it I know I still have other projects to get finished and I will, but starting on this 1 because it should be very easy and straight forward, the 59 and 400 are on hold until I can get some help with the hoods at the body shop and it has been too busy.  But I hope to have all 3 of these done by the end of the summer. I have decided to put the 701 on hold for now, its going to take a lot of work, I do intend to finish it someday but its on hold for now.

 

here's what I started with

 

Slowly coming apart

 

Parts blasted and ready for primer

 

And these went right to paint

 

I decided to build a k90 for it and had been slowly gathering parts up over the last year. It recieved a complete rebuild. Bored .10 over , crank was turned .10 under. New gaskets and seals, crank bearings, reground the valves, and due to the valve guides being worn out I had the machine shop install bronze bushings in them to make them tight again. Also got new points, condenser, coil and a carburetor. Put it together on saturday and it runs great

 

 

 

 

 

ready to fire up

 

And ready for paint

 

The steering was a little sloppy on this 1, so I drilled out the holes and installed bushings in the spindles. I also am going to make a new tie rod, this 1 was worn and bent. Got the piece made, now need to get a friend to make the pin so it can be welded in. Also picked up a pair of New steering pins from the member Smitty.

 

 

 

front axle and speed selector arm still need a little work before primer

 

And the first patch of parts that were primed

 

Frame and wheels are still in need of blasting, but not the funnest time of year to be blasting outside.

 

 

New rubber for it, went with carlisle super lugs for the rear and kenda loadstars on the front. They are trailer tires, but look identical to the original schenuits it had.

 

And finally the last for now, the hubs, Hoping to have a friend braze up the holes in these. Someone had drilled a hole in them and had a bolt running through the axle, while it made the hubs a little ugly, there in great shape due to not being used how they were supposed to be.

 

 

[AMC RULES 37,141]

Looking good...   

great documentation Jake. 

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,358]

I don't know what to say . I am going to have stop following all restorations ,I keep having to clean the drool off the keyboard.

[Shynon 7,470]

Nice Jake, thanks for the pics. What are you using for blast media?

[Jake Kuhn 1,556]

Thanks guys! And Tom, we have 2 cabinets, i use coal slag for rough blasting, and then clean them up with a fine glass bead which leaves a really nice smooth finish.

[dclarke 4,045]

I bet you can do these in your sleep, Jake.  You certainly know how to get it done. Good job.  

[KC9KAS 4,741]

Looking good @Jake Kuhn

Thanks for the photos and the commentary!

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,363]

Very nice Jake. My 57' has the same bolt set up on the hubs. I think that was the repair back then. Works fine just not original. 

[buckrancher 2,694]

looking good Jake

[AlwaysLookin80 1,308]

I'm hooked. Don't stop. Keep going. 

 

Edited January 19, 2016 by J.A.

[JPWH 6,145]

  Looks Good Jake!

 

Hank

Edited January 19, 2016 by Hank01
Double post

[Pullstart 63,201]

I like those original rear tires, though they look like they've seen better days alright.  Great post!

[Wishin4a416 2,191]

Coming along good Jake!!! Looks just fine.

[RedHorse54 578]

Where did you get the new front tires? I'm looking for some for my 854 when I'm finished with it. Thanks

[stevasaurus 22,910]

Jake, excellent pictures and write up. 

[Jake Kuhn 1,556]

Thank you all, not a whole lot of new progress you can see on the rj this week, But did get the frame and wheels sandblasted yesterday and started filling some rust on it. Need to weld up a couple extra holes too. Also have been sanding on some of the parts so they will be ready for another coat of primer.

 

1965 wheel horses, I bought the tires off of ebay. They are made by loadstar. Believe they were around $55 with free shipping. These are trailer tires and are 6 ply so pretty heavy duty. I have a feeling they will be very tough to mount on the rims on this rj as the rj35 rims are really thin, but on a 854 rim should be no problem.

[AMC RULES 37,141]

Try softening the bead/sidewall area, with a heat gun...

may help them slip onto the rim easier Jake.   

[Jake Kuhn 1,556]

Didn't get a ton done this week

..was working on a couple other tractors, but giving a little update.

 

Filled in the holes in the hubs...my dad bought a new mig welder for the body shop that uses silicon bronze. It does a really nice job of sealing things off, he really likes it so far. 

 

Finished blasting the front rims, they are in pretty nice shape but still have some minor pitting that will need fixed. Still need to finish the rears

 

 

Progress so far on the frame...got all the holes welded up and need to finish the filler and weld a new foot pedal on, this 1 was bent and pitted pretty bad.

 

And got the hood clean enough to try and get a friend to do some tig welding on it. Just wire wheeled it very carefully and then beadblasted the top where the repairs need to be done...I will blast the whole thing again before primer.

 

 

 

 

[stevasaurus 22,910]

It's amazing how the camera picks up all the imperfections.    Very nice work Jake.

[whtractors24 3,197]

nicely detailed pictures jake !

[Jake Kuhn 1,556]

Not a whole lot to see, but got all of these sanded and ready for another coat of primer. After sanding them again they should be ready for paint. Hope today to get the frame and wheels ready but we will see. Probably won't be a whole lot of progress on this next week as I am planning to finally work on the hoods for the 400 and 58.

 

[Lane Ranger 11,023]

Jake:

 

This is a great looking rebuild/restore thread Jake.

 

 FYI  Some pics of an RJ35  a friend of mine has that I took this week  .  FYI    May give you some ideas. 

[Jake Kuhn 1,556]

Another little update on the 56.

Engine is mostly back together, still need to paint the tins and on the search for an oil bath air cleaner, have the elbow and bracket, just need the cleaner part itself.  

 

Parts primed waiting for me to sand them again.

 

And got the hood welded up and hammered out. Need to beadblast it again and then can do some filler on it. 

 

 

Thanks, Jake

[AMC RULES 37,141]

Is that lead filler I see there on the hood Jake?