1960 Suburban 400 and 1961 Suburban 551 Restoration

[Handy Don 12,233]

3 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

@RandyLittrell @Handy Don See if those pictures work now.  

Yes indeed!

[RandyLittrell 3,884]

5 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

@RandyLittrell @Handy Don See if those pictures work now.  

 

 

We got em now!! Good looking kids there!! 

 

 

 

Randy

[Handy Don 12,233]

On 9/28/2020 at 9:16 AM, oliver2-44 said:

Thanks, I'll install the bushing with a snug fit.

You could also put a little blue loctite on them where they contact the frame if the friction doesn't seem adequate

[oliver2-44 9,756]

So these two steering wheels were my project while we had the 5 days of freezing weather last week.  I had a small heater in the shop to keep our outside dog warm.  I used a cut-off wheel in my Dremel to clean out the cracks in this wheel. 

i filled them with PC-7. Then sanded them flush.  I used a buffing wheel and polished all of the wheel with red, then white rouge.  I never could get a shine to come back like I wanted.  Any suggestions?

Otherwise, I'm on the fence as to if I want to try some VHT Vinyl Dye, then Clear on it or just go the bed liner route.   

The completely taped wheel is the one above  The upper one I forgot to take a before picture of.  It had a few big cracks that I filled with PC-7.  But it also had tiny shallow cracks all over it.  I completely covered the wheel with a thin layer of glazing compound then sanded it back to the black base with just fine red compound in the cracks.  Here I sprayed it with filler primer and will sand most of that off with 320/400 paper.  I definitely plan to use the Dupli-color bed liner on it.  

 

[WHX?? 48,827]

Looks like you had a bit of a battle getting the roll pin out and off the shaft.? Used the heat wrench? 

I like the bed liner route.... gives a nice grip but is not glossy but I have never been very good about getting the shine back anyway. If I was doing a complete resto I would have gotten the JD replacement wheel. 

 

Nice job BTW 

 

Best pic I have of a bed liner wheel. @Racinbob has some good pics of a bed linered wheel. 

[Racinbob 11,085]

Here's mine. I love the feel of it and it seems to be holding up great.

 

 

I strongly recommend the blue can. They also have one in a black can that I didn't care for. 

 

[oliver2-44 9,756]

On 9/23/2020 at 4:16 PM, ebinmaine said:

I'll be watching the progress. 

 

Looks great so far!

 

What's the difference with the Appliance paint?

Not something I've heard before. 

@ebinmaine I missed seeing your question a while back.  While I'm not sure it's a true epoxy, it seems more like an enamel with hardener in it.  To me it dries faster and harder than regular rustoleum or any rattle can paint.  Over night it's dry, and I've mounted tires two day later. No waiting a week or more watching paint dry. I just wish it was available in Regal Red!

[oliver2-44 9,756]

@WHX24 I'm thinking of doing your steering bushing modification.  Did you fin 1/4" high bushings or cut taller one down? 

I sure need to get some 220 run to my lathe, been waiting for one of my sons to enjoy some quality attic time while I stay on the downstairs end of things!

[WHX?? 48,827]

If I remember right Jim I used flanged bushings and cut them down to length with a mini tubing cutter (what lathe!)  and hand filed to fit & deburred. I may have just used a plain oillite bushing and bronze washer tho too. I wanted a bearing surface between the spindle arm and the drag link. 

Edit

Post #78 here Ollie 

Denny's Free Suburban Work - Restorations, Modifications, & Customizations - RedSquare Wheel Horse Forum

 

 

Never mind I see you got that pic from that thread .. 

Edited February 26, 2021 by WHX24

[Wheelhorse Wes 279]

Steiner tractor parts has brand new steering wheels for $49.50

there was a thread on here a while ago for it

[oliver2-44 9,756]

Since I'm building these Suburban's out of a pile of parts from a couple of parts machines I'm going to do a "Primed  Dry run Assembly"  

I've got the hood, transmission, controls and belt guard figured out as close as we all know.  But here's a few more small variables that the Ponds or past owners have thrown me.   

@Racinbob @WHX24 @dclarke @AMC RULES  @Maynard @stevasaurus   @Handy Don @RandyLittrell @Horse Newbie@formariz  and all you other Suburban guru's what say you.  You to @ebinmaine and @pullstart , ya'll can provide some chatter on the sidelines to keep this lively !

 

So what length should the clutch idler arm be for a:

Suburban 400-401- be with the 3 piece transmission? 

Suburban 551 with the 2 piece transmission?

I have 3-7/8", 4-1/8", 4-1/2", 4-3/4"  (end to end)

 

Should the Suburban 400-500-401 with the 3 piece transmission have a weld fabricated clutch/brake arm like the one on the left? 

and should the Suburban 551 with the 2 piece transmission have a cast steel arm like the 2 on the right?

 

Should the Suburban 400--401 be with the 3 piece transmission have a one piece clutch/brake rod like the one on the right? 

and should the Suburban 551 have a threader rod with trunnion like the rod on the left? 

 

Should the Suburban 400-401 be with the 3 piece transmission have 4-1/2" brake drum like the top one? 

and should the Suburban 551 have a  4" brake drum like the bottom one? 

 

Did the 1960 400, 401 have the weld fabricated slot hitch like the one on the bottom?

Then did the 1961 also have a welded slot hitch, or did it have a cast one like the one on the top?

 

 

Edited March 11, 2021 by oliver2-44

[Pullstart 62,905]

Jim, Rylee has a 401 that has been deemed original.  I’ll do what I can to help with that at least!

 

If the clutch idler arm is too close to call, I can get calipers out and take better measurements too 

[WHX?? 48,827]

Sounds like Kev has got you on the right path. I have got a 400 in the shop now if you need more. 

Guessing you also have the IPL's ? Cross check the part #s on the cast pieces with what's on the IPL. 

 

On the 400...welded & single piece rod - no trunnion.  

 

Ive got some pics like that let me know you need. I've also got a input pully with your name on it  if you need. 

Edited March 11, 2021 by WHX24

[dclarke 4,032]

Jim, the Suburban 400 I sold (top pic) had the one piece brake/clutch rod...... The original operator’s manual I have for the 551 shows it using the threaded rod and trunion.  I don’t have either model here now to look at. 

Edited March 11, 2021 by dclarke

[WHX?? 48,827]

That would be correct Denny ... I often forget the 551 has a two piece tranny. 

[Racinbob 11,085]

Took a trip to the barn this morning and here's what I have Jim. 

This is on a 400

Slot hitch is welded

Brake drum is 4 1/2" ( the 551 may be different)

Clutch rod doesn't have a trunnion (I think the 551 did have one)

Idler arm is 4 7/8" long end to end

The weather is nice this morning. 

Edited March 11, 2021 by Racinbob

[Handy Don 12,233]

I'm just gonna read along here since I've never even laid eyes on a Suburban! 

[oliver2-44 9,756]

Thanks everyone. 
So on the idler arm @pullstart has a 3-5/8” length and @Racinbob has a 4-7/8” length.  I had wondered if my 4-3/4” long idler arm was homemade since the other 3 are closer in length. But those measurements puts all of mine within that range. I”m amazed there is that much variation from the factory.    @WHX24 if you get an opportunity to measure yours it would be interesting to see where it falls. 

[Pullstart 62,905]

34 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

Thanks everyone. 
So on the idler arm @pullstart has a 3-5/8” length and @Racinbob has a 4-7/8” length.  I had wondered if my 4-3/4” long idler arm was homemade since the other 3 are closer in length. But those measurements puts all of mine within that range. I”m amazed there is that much variation from the factory.    @WHX24 if you get an opportunity to measure yours it would be interesting to see where it falls. 

keep in mind I measured from the inside of the 1/2” rod to the center of the hole... roughly in poor light.  Bob’s measurement is overall length of the casting 

[WHX?? 48,827]

1 hour ago, pullstart said:

WHX24 if you get an opportunity to measure yours it would be interesting to see where it falls. 

No problem Ollie the belt guard is off so should be able to get a good pic. 

[WHX?? 48,827]

3 3/4 center to center ....hair under 4 7/8 overall. Darn near call it 4 3/4.

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

2 hours ago, WHX24 said:

3 3/4 center to center ....hair under 4 7/8 overall. Darn near call it 4 3/4.

So 4 13/16 then??

[Horse Newbie 7,071]

11 hours ago, Handy Don said:

I'm just gonna read along here since I've never even laid eyes on a Suburban! 

Thanks for tagging me @oliver2-44... I'll be following along almost invisibly, as I don't want to slow down the fellows on the lead lap...

[oliver2-44 9,756]

Thanks everyone.  On the clutch idler arm I think I will use the longer ones. They should provide the most belt clutch movement. 

[oliver2-44 9,756]

I made some lift arm rods   Used 3/8” rod from flower wreath stands. Also made some belt guard spacers from 1/4” pipe x 1-7/16” long

I also put a coat of gloss black appliance epoxy on the spokes of one of the steering wheels. 

Edited March 17, 2021 by oliver2-44