Restoring my 701 ( 702? )

[76c12091520h 3,623]

Well, here we go again! I picked this up about a year ago, locally, along with a large batch of parts. Didn't know if it ran or not but once I saw everything that came with it , I basically got the tractor for free. It was advertised as a 701, but it has an interesting history: It was sold new as a 1962 model! I have obviously spoken with the person that I bought it from, and then I was able to trace it back to the second owner ( a local Wheel Horse collector and very respected authority on early round hoods) who confirmed that the original owner purchased it with a 702 hood and 702 decals. Unfortunately between owner # 3 and myself it received a horrible repaint that erased the originality that it had. I feel that my only choice at this point is to give an all out, 100% restoration. I will be re-doing both the original 702 hood it was born with and the 701 hood that it has acquired along the way, and also belt guards for both model years. So far I have replaced the non-functioning sediment bowl / fuel shutoff and rebuilt the carburetor, also refinished the air cleaner assy. After doing so, it fired right off and everything works great, telling me that nothing should need a major rebuild and that hopefully we will be in good shape with just new gaskets, seals, and maybe a valve job while the head is off. The serial # is listed here in the registry so I know at least 1 of the previous owners has been on the forum before. Stay tuned!

[Achto 27,601]

Every thing looks to be 701 except for the hood and the fan gear. 

 

Looking forward to seeing the resto.

Edited September 25, 2021 by Achto

[Jennifer 1,877]

Very interesting story!!!  Love a good horse story!!  Will be watching this restore!

Edited September 25, 2021 by Jennifer

[Pullstart 62,906]

Nice rig, repaint or not!  I know you’ll do this tractor wonders!

[rmaynard 15,513]

The drive belt cover has a 702 decal, but there appears to be no indentation. 701 had no decal or indent. The decal is not in the right location. It's too far to the back. The lower pic is the correct cover 

 

Edited September 25, 2021 by rmaynard

[Mike in NC 341]

Funny thing about this tractor. I have a friend that has his dads Wheel Horse that his dad bought new in the early 60's. It too has the 701 double groove pulleys, smooth belt guard, same style serial number sticker, but also has a 702 hood. He said his dad never changed anything on the tractor. It has the 701 fenders with the support bracket. I can not remember the serial number. And I think it has the 701 steering gear. I will have to look when I see it again.

[kpinnc 12,088]

4 hours ago, Mike in NC said:

Funny thing about this tractor. I have a friend that has his dads Wheel Horse that his dad bought new in the early 60's. It too has the 701 double groove pulleys, smooth belt guard, same style serial number sticker, but also has a 702 hood. He said his dad never changed anything on the tractor. It has the 701 fenders with the support bracket. I can not remember the serial number. And I think it has the 701 steering gear. I will have to look when I see it again.

 

If your friend has the correct story, maybe it's possible that the original hood was damaged and replaced by the dealer before the sale?

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,046]

A 1962 model tractor will have a serial number starting with 62-xxxxx and the 1962 attachment serial numbers started with A-xxxxx.

It took a few model years for them to use up all the serial stickers and in the end some tractors got a A-xxxxx serial just to use them up.

Unlike today they did not waste anything.

[76c12091520h 3,623]

 Picked up this little beauty today: 

[76c12091520h 3,623]

Finally managed to get some time to get moving on this project; got all the wheels off and took some photos. Tires are dismounted and wheels will be getting blasted and powder coated. Next step will be to rebuild/re-bush/ replace front axle and steering components. These early tractors weren't exactly known for their precise steering and this ones' no exception.....

[76c12091520h 3,623]

Made some repairs to the front wheels where a previous owner hogged out the valve stem holes. Also welded up the 3605 tie rod and re-did the holes on the mill so as to get them exact. Cleaned up the attaching hardware and took the mics to them to get an exact measurement for the holes. No slop in this piece anymore. Front wheels and tie rod are ready for blasting.

[kpinnc 12,088]

1 hour ago, 76c12091520h said:

Also welded up the 3605 tie rod and re-did the holes on the mill so as to get them exact. Cleaned up the attaching hardware and took the mics to them to get an exact measurement for the holes. No slop in this piece anymore

 

Very nice work! 

[oliver2-44 9,759]

@76c12091520h Are you planning to drill out and bush the axle spindle holes?  If so will you drill to 7/8” or 1” and bush back to 3/4”?

[76c12091520h 3,623]

Pulled the front axle beam and found some egg shaped holes in the frame and some wear in the beam itself. The pictures show the mounting holes up front where the beam attaches. Repairs to follow.  The 3940 tie rod was an easy upgrade: walked over to the shelf and pulled one from inventory 

[oliver2-44 9,759]

@76c12091520h Did you make new greaseable linkage bolts?

If so, I'm have trouble finding short bolts that aren't full threaded to the head.

Did you buy bolts with longer unthreaded length, then just thread them to point needed and cut to length? 

[Achto 27,601]

11 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

 

Did you buy bolts with longer unthreaded length, then just thread them to point needed and cut to length? 

 

 This is what I did with mine. Used stainless for the pretty effect.

[RED-Z06 2,221]

I haven't pulled my 702 out in going on 17 years now but...the serial tag is different than yours its part of the shift decal. and i think 62 was the first year they changed that.