bell 11 #1 Posted April 28, 2009 Several months ago, a guy I work with (Gary) approached me about "restoring" his Wheel Horse... A 314-8. I've been working on it in my free time for the past couple weeks. It spent some MAJOR time outside... But it was his dad's tractor and deserves to live again. Here's the progress... I started with this at about 4am... By daylight, it looked like this... I originally planned on just stripping it down to the hoodstand, but I knew that I had to go a little farther to make it "right".... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bell 11 #2 Posted April 28, 2009 I know now that I will be "farming out" the sandblasting on the next one(s).... The cabinet works great on the smaller stuff, but the big stuff is a PITA. Finally starting to go back together... Wow... using new, unpainted hardware really makes them "pop"... I know it's not the way it was done at the factory, but that's the way I'm going to do them... :omg: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike_1951 0 #4 Posted April 29, 2009 looking good.. keep us posted on your progress,and keep posting the pics so we can see it come together Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bell 11 #5 Posted April 29, 2009 Thanks fellas! The back wheels are now painted. I'll let them cure for a couple days before I mount the tires. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,326 #6 Posted April 29, 2009 Bell, You are an animal !! 2 weeks worth of work in 1 day !!! Looks great Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bell 11 #7 Posted April 29, 2009 Thanks! I guess I should have mentioned that the first set of pics are from 2 weeks ago, when I started on it... :drool: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HorseFixer 2,012 #8 Posted April 29, 2009 Bell, You are an animal !! 2 weeks worth of work in 1 day !!! Looks great Jon's not an ANIMAL he is a MACHINE Jon, you keep postin Pics of those BIG Jobbies being restored and I'm liable to get me a couple more! by the way nice job! :omg: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buckrancher 2,679 #9 Posted April 29, 2009 what did you use to paint the rims ? air or rattle can? looks really good :omg: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bell 11 #10 Posted April 29, 2009 Rattle cans on all of it... Krylon Cherry Red and Duplicolor Silver Metallic on the wheels... You can get REALLY good results with a rattle can... It just takes lots of practice. :omg: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duff 206 #11 Posted April 29, 2009 Jon, super, super job! You're right about new hardware - I'm using Grade 5 or stainless nuts/bolts/washers everywhere on my 312's I'm rebuilding - really sharpens up the look, and I, too am a rattle-can fanatic! I just wish I had your and Duke's stick-to-itiveness...it's taken me all winter to get about as far as you have in two weeks. You guys are something else! Duff :drool: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bell 11 #12 Posted April 29, 2009 Well, I'm ready to start on my Suburban 8-speed... I guess that's a motivating factor. :omg: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
can whlvr 993 #13 Posted April 30, 2009 Looking real nice Bell,hope your friend enjoys this machine,does this machine have the 1inch axles or the bigger inch and an eighth :omg: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bell 11 #14 Posted July 8, 2009 I've been slowly making a little progress... Stripping and painting, and stripping and painting... After I mounted up the rear tires, I noticed the dry-rot cracks all over them... Luckily, the 550 (now a 400) that I bought at the show had a almost new set of the EXACT same tires on it (Carlisle 22x7.50-12)... They'll be going on the 314! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bell 11 #15 Posted July 8, 2009 Been gathering the parts I need to finish it... And cooking more stuff in the electrolosys tank... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chamjack 0 #16 Posted July 8, 2009 Wow, thats some friend you are! Is that rebuild pro bono? If it is, I want you as one of my friends too! On a serious note, you are doing a good job. I agree with you on the new fasteners. I think that really makes the whole project come together in the end. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bell 11 #17 Posted September 11, 2009 S L O W L Y making a little progress... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bell 11 #18 Posted September 11, 2009 Stripping and painting, stripping and painting.... Man, I'm ready to be done with this. There's too many pieces... Cook, cook, cook.... That's all for now! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wheel horse 1045 2 #19 Posted September 11, 2009 wow tats looking great Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duff 206 #20 Posted September 11, 2009 Stripping and painting, stripping and painting.... Man, I'm ready to be done with this. There's too many pieces... Fer sure! My shop looks like a huge, weird set of wind chimes with all the parts hanging up drying and waiting for me get off my arse and get back to work on 312-8 #2 and #3! I've never worked on the round hoods to know how many parts and pieces they have, but WH for darned sure packed 'em into the 300/400/500 series machines! Your project is looking GREAT, by the way! Duff :scratchead: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bitten 134 #21 Posted September 12, 2009 Can you do one of mine next :scratchead: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bell 11 #22 Posted September 12, 2009 For the right price.... And it will probably take me a year. :scratchead: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lp johnny 0 #23 Posted September 27, 2009 That's great work..wish I had the ability..and time..and tools to tackle mine like that..I'll be more than happy to have mine working correctly and a sheetmetal restore! John Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bell 11 #24 Posted September 28, 2009 Thank you... I haven't made much progress on it lately. I have a week off in October and it WILL be finished before my vacation is over. I'm ready to concentrate on my tractors! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bell 11 #25 Posted October 16, 2009 Been slaving away on the 314 for the past couple days... Tried out the new E-tank... Some windchimes... Steering... YAY! When she called, I told my wife I was dashing... I don't think she got it. OMG was the engine FILTHY... and a little rusty in the bottom of the blower housing. If it would have sat outside much longer, there would be a "window" in the bottom of it. MUCH better! Back home again! It's starting to look like a tractor again! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
