Unexpected 701 score

[Greentored 3,216]

Definitely realizing I’m gonna have a few questions on this one, so decided to run a dedicated thread. 
as a recap: had a Simplicity up for sale and a fella asks if I’ll trade for a Wheel Horse. I’m not well versed in the round hoods, but when he sent pics of a solid nose and 7hp Kohler I jumped on it, thinking maybe it’s a 701? 
Sure enough, and with a new battery, fuel system cleaning and fluid change she was running under her own power, and very well at that! 
5 minutes with some cleaner wax revealed some REAL nice patina, possibly original paint, so she will not be torn down and restored. 
Im thrilled but will have plenty to learn on this ol girl- would like to do the necessary repairs as close to factory design as possible. 
Thanks in advance to you gurus and stay tuned! 

[ebinmaine 67,696]

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,175]

Looks nice and straight and almost complete...👍

[WHNJ701 4,165]

Time to start scuffing and buffing.  The shifter was changed out too.  Should be straight no bend.  I kinda think it was repainted or touched up.  Any chance the previous owner has that belt guard somewhere??

Edited December 1, 2020 by jabelman

[WHX?? 48,834]

Not telling you what to do Green but here is what I would do. 

First off strip her down to parade rest noting what issues she might have have when doing so. 

If the motor runs decent a doesn't smoke a great deal leave it alone but pull the tins and clean. 

If is smokes a little no big deal ... I do but I won't let them tear into me. 

Clean everything up and back together she goes fixing the issues so noted in dissassembly. The nice thing here is since it is a mechanical resto only fixes don't have to be perfect just solid unless you have an open wallet.

This is where the elbow grease comes in with the hood and other parts to prevserve patina. Your Meguliar's is fine on the hood or other body parts. Personally I would try and fine sand off light PO rattle cans if present and linseed oil. 

Last thing then would be to enjoy her and putt... not 60 MPH trail bombs as I know you enjoy .... save that for others that are not quite as special as a 701 but then again your tractor. 

BTW endeavor to find the SG belt guard...it's one of the things that make this tractor special. Your skills you should be able to repro one.

I just happened to have a extra but like my guns you will not pry them outta my cold dead hands! 

 

[WHNJ701 4,165]

Motivation photos!

[WHX?? 48,834]

I'll second that Jabel... you could have started with this Green! 

She's a project but been butchered so open game for a full blown resto. 

Thanks  @Achto ...what is that Cars song.. you are just what I needed? I CRS Dan is this the one with the ants when you sat on it?

701 was on my bucket list since I got the fever ....

BTW those orginal square pan seats are getting rarer than hen's .... you know what I mean....

Edited December 1, 2020 by WHX24

[Greentored 3,216]

Appreciate that info fellas. It's a hard call thus far on whether its a repaint or not, if it was, someone did a good job at once time as there does not appear to be anything under the red on the sheetmetal, and the 'toolbox' area under the seat is pitted, rusty, and even has some rust holes- seems strange if someone repainted they wouldnt have fixed or hacked/botched this area up. There IS some red overspray on the '7hp' sticker, and the paint near it is not as nice as the rest of the shroud, like someone spray bombed it and went around the sticker. Maybe was rebuilt and done then, as it runs excellent and little if any smoke, and the cylinder head heat shield is missing? While I'd love to do a full teardown and proper resto, between work, renovating a house, and a whole shop full of Wheel Horse 'ideas', shes gonna have to get a good cleaning and roll, at least for now.

Is the correct shifter readily out there, or can I straighten this one to fake it? Also noticed the belt guard has the indent for the decal, which I understand it should not. Any chance this could be a late 701 and some '62 items were thrown on to get it on the floor?

[WHX?? 48,834]

17 minutes ago, Greentored said:

Also noticed the belt guard has the indent for the decal, which I understand it should not. Any chance this could be a late 701 and some '62 items were thrown on to get it on the floor?

That's entirely possible knowing what we know. Might go the other way too and a 702 turns up with a smooth belt guard! 

[WHX?? 48,834]

11 hours ago, jabelman said:

shifter was changed out too.  Should be straight no bend.

Good eye Jabel....the shifter as came with mine....I  when the blaster took off that moss. 

[Achto 27,622]

13 hours ago, WHX24 said:

 

 

That one is definitely a diamond in the rough Jim. New worries though she will look brand new again. 

[Greentored 3,216]

17 hours ago, WHX24 said:

... not 60 MPH trail bombs as I know you enjoy ....

 

No sir!!! This one will be left as is, I promise!  Think she'd look sweet with a home built mid mount grader blade for an excuse to run her once in awhile.

....ok, shes probably gonna get a stack too

Edited December 1, 2020 by Greentored

[71_Bronco 1,072]

Very nice score, super jealous.

 

I had to buy a seat off a sears tractor when I was looking for a square pan seat. Found one on eBay for $65 shipped

 

Looks like your steering wheel is nice too, those can be tricky to find in nice condition.

 

 

[WHNJ701 4,165]

I can honestly say I don't like the look of the square seat pans, that's why I put the patina round one on the 701.  I have a square on one of the 854s and a round the other 854.  I think the round seats give a better look

[Greentored 3,216]

3 hours ago, jabelman said:

I can honestly say I don't like the look of the square seat pans, that's why I put the patina round one on the 701.  I have a square on one of the 854s and a round the other 854.  I think the round seats give a better look

Only been 'addicted' about a year now but agree. Round seat on round hoods, square seat on square hoods to go with the lines......

[ebinmaine 67,696]

I can absolutely see the logic in that

[WHX?? 48,834]

I like the looks of a square pan but the derrière is round not square so rounds are more comfy and finding a square pan now in any shape.... you did good if the seat spring came with it Bronc. Usually they cracked and welded... several times. Trade ya Green you want a round one. 

[71_Bronco 1,072]

26 minutes ago, WHX24 said:

I like the looks of a square pan but the derrière is round not square so rounds are more comfy and finding a square pan now in any shape.... you did good if the seat spring came with it Bronc. Usually they cracked and welded... several times. Trade ya Green you want a round one. 

 

The seat spring did come with it. My '62 Lawn Ranger has the stock square one, so I wanted to find another (even though I agree that the round looks better).

 

This is what my stock seat looks like. Not only is it cracked and welded, but it looks like something smashed the back lip.

 

[Greentored 3,216]

Post here unrelated and removed because i'm an idiot and put it on the wrong thread

 

 

Edited December 3, 2020 by Greentored

[ebinmaine 67,696]

3 hours ago, Greentored said:

decide if its worth

With all due respect stop deciding and get to work. 

If yours works ok I'll take one too. 

 

[Greentored 3,216]

4 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

With all due respect stop deciding and get to work. 

If yours works ok I'll take one too. 

 

Will see what I can do 👍

[Guest 88vic]

[Guest 88vic]

More motivation photos...

[Guest 88vic]

I found and got the original 701 foot rests, just haven't put them on yet. The original hood was hacked up and extended for maybe a bigger engine?  I found a 702 hood at a local swap meet so itll do for now until I get the original one fixed and corrected. Though rare, the 701's are still out there waiting to be discovered and saved. 

[Greentored 3,216]

Ok here we go with a few questions, but first- amazing what a bottle of purple power, a garden hose and a rag will do! 
Does anyone have a pic of what the hood hinge should be?  Fender box is pretty beat. I know the later round fender machines had gussets on the front and rear as part of the box, but should I try to snag one of those and just cut the gussets off so it looks more correct? Fixed the foot test bar- instead of broken welds, I found collars with set screws. Is this how they were? 
last but not least, one front spindle has spacers to locate the rim, the other has a giant hex nut 🤣 were these spindles excessively longer than the rim width and spaced for adjustment?