Mike336 55 #1 Posted September 20, 2016 Some pictures of my 1985 414-8..fully restored. Carb, Motor and Transmission fully torn down and rebuilt with all OEM parts.. All new OEM belts, PTO rebuilt with new OEM bearings and clutch. Frame and body parts and wheels sand blasted and powder coated. Hub Caps re- chromed New tires. Electrical harness repaired where needed. 48" Mower deck is brand new... Total cost for parts including deck..$4500.00 132 hours of exciting and rewarding labor... Good for another 40 years...(That's if i use it !) 29 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,364 #2 Posted September 20, 2016 Very nice work for sure. I love to see a nice quality restoration Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldredrider 2,553 #3 Posted September 20, 2016 Great job on that machine. The part I like best is your breakdown of labor, parts and details about the resto. Excellent. Thanks for sharing. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,358 #4 Posted September 20, 2016 This very nice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wishin4a416 2,191 #5 Posted September 21, 2016 That is a Beauty. Something to be proud of. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 26,250 #6 Posted September 21, 2016 WOW! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
c-series don 9,157 #7 Posted September 21, 2016 Even the correct seat, great job! I know that feeling, so nice you may not want to use it. So now you'll need another WheelHorse that you can use in its place!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marv 952 #8 Posted September 21, 2016 I agree with previous comments. But, I have one question. Do you have a humidity controlled glass case big enough to keep it looking that way? I think it would look real good in my family room. Marvin 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jerry77 1,218 #9 Posted September 21, 2016 That is way too beautiful to actually use....a perfect candidate for a calendar...or museum.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 26,250 #10 Posted September 21, 2016 31 minutes ago, Marv said: I think it would look real good in my family room. Marvin Gotta disagree...Would Look way better in MY living room!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike336 55 #11 Posted September 21, 2016 (edited) 1 hour ago, c-series don said: Even the correct seat, great job! I know that feeling, so nice you may not want to use it. So now you'll need another WheelHorse that you can use in its place!! Yes, that seat cost me $450.00 and i was lucky to find that one still in the box unopened from a dealer in PA. Thank God for EBAY.... While restoring this machine I purchased a 1984 416-8, because I needed a tractor during the winter to run the 38" Ber Vac 2 stage blower. The 416 was tired but did its job...Once I finished the 414 , I started the 416 restoration....but I could not find another seat...My 416 is now the work horse mowing in the summer and blowing snow in the winter... and I just drive the 414 around the yard just to prevent the carb from gumming.... When I was younger I was a mechanic at a Gravely, IH Cub Cadet Dealership back in the late 70s. They were great machines to work on ...but I always liked the Wheel horses... This 414-8 was the first wheel Horse I purchased...I guess this restoration was a a mid life crisis for me....not so bad... Thanks for all your kind comments Below is the 416-8 restoration with the 38" Ber Vac Blower also restored...bad seat though Edited September 21, 2016 by Mike336 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,498 #12 Posted September 21, 2016 Mike, what paint did you use on it? It's fabulous looking. An A+ job to be sure. Glenn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bds1984 1,457 #13 Posted September 21, 2016 Mike you can purchase brand new seats that are identical to the original except they don't have the WH logo in them. I have one on my C165 and it is every bit as good as the original when it was new. Search for Michigan Seat Company. Nice work, by the way. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 28,013 #14 Posted September 21, 2016 Beautiful work! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike336 55 #15 Posted September 21, 2016 40 minutes ago, JERSEYHAWG / Glenn said: Mike, what paint did you use on it? It's fabulous looking. An A+ job to be sure. Glenn Regal Red from Rustoleum if I needed to spray small parts and the transmission. High Gloss- high heat enamel for the engine ....but 95% of the machine was powder coated after sandblasting. We just matched up the paint that was underneath the hood and rear fender area because those areas were never exposed to direct sunlight. It was tedious and a little more expensive, but well worth it 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aldon 4,827 #16 Posted September 21, 2016 Excellent job. And as stated before, it's good to see the costs tracked and documented. I get a little dizzy and light headed when I start to add up the cost of my restoration tractors costs and that's just on the big ticket items I recall. Theae projects are rewarding but not for feint of heart or weak of tenacity. Kudos for a great job! Makes me want to add a 400 series to my wish list. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike336 55 #17 Posted September 21, 2016 (edited) 54 minutes ago, bds1984 said: Mike you can purchase brand new seats that are identical to the original except they don't have the WH logo in them. I have one on my C165 and it is every bit as good as the original when it was new. Search for Michigan Seat Company. Nice work, by the way. Prior to restoration I knew I needed a seat...The whole project pivoted on " Could I find an original OEM seat ? "...I worked on Wheel horses for years and I knew what I was getting into and all the other parts I would need... I wanted this tractor the exact same way I purchased it back in 1985...and did I luck out when after 2 weeks I found an brand new original seat .I knew that was a good sign that the machine restoration would be successful. I enjoyed every minute of it and all the memories I had of using the machine throughout all four seasons as I grew up. This machine was so dependable..I couldn't let it down and the restoration had to be perfect in my eyes...This was the least i could do for this machine, seeing it performed beyond expected for the 30 years I had it... I just glad i grew up in that era when these machines were built ...I just shake my head at all the throw away machines they sell today... Edited September 21, 2016 by Mike336 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,498 #18 Posted September 21, 2016 (edited) 14 minutes ago, Mike336 said: Regal Red from Rustoleum if I needed to spray small parts and the transmission. High Gloss- high heat enamel for the engine ....but 95% of the machine was powder coated after sandblasting. We just matched up the paint that was underneath the hood and rear fender area because those areas were never exposed to direct sunlight. It was tedious and a little more expensive, but well worth it Mike, that looks bettet than a rattle can job. looks like a pro spray gun number. regal red rustoleum ,i have used....a while to cure. fantastic looking..... Glenn edit: all the big tin areas, hood, rear fender, belt guards.....thats powder coat? high gloss... wow I should have been more clear Edited September 21, 2016 by JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmsgaffer 2,046 #19 Posted September 21, 2016 That some impressive powder coating! And WOW that seat cost more than I have in my XI, but boy you sure did do it right! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,741 #20 Posted September 21, 2016 WOW...That looks "Showroom Floor" new! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 56,320 #21 Posted September 21, 2016 You have a pair of pretty ponies there! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,164 #22 Posted September 21, 2016 Very nice job indeed. What town do you live in? I'm in Danbury. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,526 #23 Posted September 21, 2016 Nice job, and on a Maroon Stripe at that. Awesome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike336 55 #24 Posted September 21, 2016 5 hours ago, Ken B said: Very nice job indeed. What town do you live in? I'm in Danbury. Middletown area... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,498 #25 Posted September 21, 2016 1 hour ago, Mike336 said: Middletown area... I like the Berco to. Nice work Glenn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
