clemet 146 #1 Posted October 9, 2016 (edited) I posted a bit ago about the 2 tractors that followed me home. I finally had the time to start the tear down and rebuild on the 417. From what I can it is an 86 with a KT17 series 2. All the tags were missing off both the tractor and the engine. I pulled the front valve cover off, and cannot feel any major wear on the engine which is surprising considering it has over 1300 hours on it. My plan is to do all new gaskets and rings before it is all said and done just for the piece of mind. I picked this thing up from the coast in North Carolina so it is rusty not surface rust, but rusty. Luckily there are no holes in any of the sheet metal that I have found yet. Time will tell though since I still have to get into the sanding phase. Right now all I have done is tear it down, and because of the storm plus the peanut butter I found in the transmission I decided to tear it down and rebuild it first. I have new seals and axle bearings in the mail, and the transmission cleaned up. My parts washer almost needs a swap out of diesel again. I changed it right before I started on this. Edited October 9, 2016 by clemet 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldredrider 2,553 #2 Posted October 9, 2016 We have a term for tractors picked up on the East coast near the ocean: Sea Horses. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SPINJIM 1,981 #3 Posted October 9, 2016 Congrats on the 417-8. I picked up one two weeks ago, and it's already my favorite. It's going to be my snowblower tractor this winter. My local ex-WH dealer told me that the 86's had louvers on the hood, and the 85's did not. I can't tell from the pictures whether yours has them or not. Just thought it might help in identifying your tractor. There were some minor differences in the two years. I read somewhere that in 85, the electric lift was optional, and in 86 it was standard, but mine is an 86, and the lift looks like it was added later. Might have been some overlap. Someone else might have a definite answer. But the info on the louvers is pretty reliable. Have fun with it. Jim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 26,145 #4 Posted October 10, 2016 1 hour ago, oldredrider said: We have a term for tractors picked up on the East coast near the ocean: Sea Horses. Check for salt in the transmission - not just water... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
troutbum70 857 #5 Posted October 10, 2016 I have had my 417-8 ever since new it has been very reliable, it has mowed at lot of grass and pushed a bunch of snow. The main thing with the kohler is keep the oil changed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clemet 146 #6 Posted October 10, 2016 (edited) 2 hours ago, SPINJIM said: Congrats on the 417-8. I picked up one two weeks ago, and it's already my favorite. It's going to be my snowblower tractor this winter. My local ex-WH dealer told me that the 86's had louvers on the hood, and the 85's did not. I can't tell from the pictures whether yours has them or not. Just thought it might help in identifying your tractor. There were some minor differences in the two years. I read somewhere that in 85, the electric lift was optional, and in 86 it was standard, but mine is an 86, and the lift looks like it was added later. Might have been some overlap. Someone else might have a definite answer. But the info on the louvers is pretty reliable. Have fun with it. Jim That's basically how I came to it being an 86. Louvered hood and electric lift. Hopefully I have better weather tomorrow so I can dig out my sandblaster and clean up the frame, front axle, and a few other pieces. Edited October 10, 2016 by clemet Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,155 #7 Posted October 10, 2016 I have a 417-8 not sure what year but it also has louvered hood and electric lift. It has around 1400 hrs runs well but does smoke at low idle but still mows a lawn with no problems. Good luck on your rebuild. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clemet 146 #8 Posted October 11, 2016 (edited) Todays progress. A little grinding, sanding, sand blasting and then prime and paint. Edited October 12, 2016 by clemet 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 17,530 #10 Posted October 12, 2016 I'll be following this as I have 2 418-A's and fixin to get a 417-A. At least one will get restored eventually. Looking good so far! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clemet 146 #11 Posted October 14, 2016 Got the transmission back together, and reinstalled. Now to work on the rest of the linkages and brackets before moving on to the sheet metal. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,498 #12 Posted October 14, 2016 Nice job so far to. Best of luck. Glenn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clemet 146 #13 Posted October 17, 2016 A little more progress. It seems like I spend more time waiting on paint to dry than anything else these days lol..... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SPINJIM 1,981 #14 Posted October 18, 2016 4 hours ago, clemet said: A little more progress. It seems like I spend more time waiting on paint to dry than anything else these days lol..... That's how I justify having two projects going at once. While paint dries on one, I can work on the other. Really nice job so far. Keep us up to date. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clemet 146 #15 Posted October 20, 2016 I'm starting to think I need to be looking up engine rebuild parts now since it's getting closer to being time to start on it. I figure that I will give the paint about a month to cure before I order the decal kit, and then once I get the new decals on give it a good coat of wax. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,141 #16 Posted October 21, 2016 Hard to believe... that's the same tractor. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clemet 146 #17 Posted October 21, 2016 6 hours ago, AMC RULES said: Hard to believe... that's the same tractor. Tell me about it. There was a lot of rust to sand through, and I am sure there is still some in places. I did use a rusty metal primer. Unfortunately I still have a bunch of rusty pieces to go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clemet 146 #18 Posted October 22, 2016 The sheet metal is all cleaned and painted. Now to just let it cure and bolt it on. Then comes the fun part of painting the bolts. Since the floorboards are pitted bad with rust I am going to just roll some bedliner on them for protection and traction. Next step will be to unmount the tires and paint the wheels. I ordered the engine rebuild kit, tires, and a couple other little parts today so once I get all that I can keep moving forward. I am looking forward to getting this one done so that I can pull my '73 in and give it a once over this winter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clemet 146 #19 Posted October 26, 2016 Got the rest of the sheet metal painted and installed. Bedliner is on the floorboards. Now to wait on the rest of the little parts, and pry this weekend start on the engine rebuild. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clemet 146 #20 Posted October 29, 2016 Getting a lot closer. A bunch more parts show up Monday, and then just waiting on the decals to ship. Plus I have to do the exhaust yet. I am glad that my 15yo son is helping and having a blast. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,498 #21 Posted October 29, 2016 (edited) Watch out Carl, I think your son thinks your helping him work on HIS tractor. I have seen that look before. I like the bedliner on the floorboards idea to. Turning out really nice. Glenn Edited October 29, 2016 by JERSEYHAWG / Glenn Spellchecker is beating me up Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 17,530 #22 Posted October 30, 2016 Looks really nice! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clemet 146 #23 Posted October 30, 2016 19 hours ago, JERSEYHAWG / Glenn said: Watch out Carl, I think your son thinks your helping him work on HIS tractor. I have seen that look before. I like the bedliner on the floorboards idea to. Turning out really nice. Glenn I actually had to call his name a couple times just to get that picture vice the back of his head. He was very intent no getting the bolts tight. The good news is I have trained him well. Even though I have plenty of powerful impacts and such he goes for a pair of wrenches. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clemet 146 #24 Posted October 30, 2016 Today's progress. Got the exhaust done, and installed. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clemet 146 #25 Posted November 2, 2016 What parts do I need to add a sleeve hitch to this tractor? I haven't really been able to find a lot of good info. I have an electric lift so do I need the rocker shaft that mounts between the gas tank? I have the tube for the cable, but haven't really seen anything about mounting the hitch. I am debating pulling the hitch off my '73 since it will be regulated to mowing duties. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
