dmoore   773 #1 Posted June 2, 2022 Well I guess this is the beginning of an addiction without end Having only owned 1 Wheel Horse tractor these last 26 years and coming here and lusting after the vast array of various models throughout this fine site it is was only natural for me to expand my horizons 😃 A very good & long time friend of mine in P.A. knew of my NEED and brought me down this intact and virtually undisturbed 854. Save for a paint touch up here and there it's interestingly original and solid as a rock! What a great candidate to bring back to life😃 I initially was just going to start disassembly without attempting to see if she will start after many years of hibernation but my curiosity has got the best of me (whose doesn't?) and I have to see if she in fact will do so. I will no doubt be asking questions of you 854 specialist here from time to time so bear with me as I learn about this fantastic little big machine. Dave  4 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmoore   773 #2 Posted June 2, 2022 Points were little corroded clean them up and we now have good spark  4 Horse Newbie, 953 nut, Pullstart and 1 other reacted to this  Quote  Edit 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmoore   773 #3 Posted June 2, 2022 If I can get this fuel pump to work I think we will have light off                       1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmoore   773 #5 Posted June 2, 2022 Original Kohler generator belt 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmoore   773 #6 Posted June 2, 2022 Nice 854 & definitely a favored tractor around here.  On the tank expect it to weep a little as the gasket dries out with no gas in it. sometimes they quit leaking after adding gas sometimes they don't. once you get into the resto be very careful if you try to remove the screws. Aluminum tank + steel screws = dissimilar metals corrosion and you can twist them right off. Gently try tightening them a very little bit first if you go the removal route. Kev"s idea is best with the tank sealer kit although new gaskets are around for it. Guessing KBS works on AL tanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmoore   773 #7 Posted June 2, 2022 Front tires are Goodyear 4.80 /4.00-8 Super Rib. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmoore   773 #8 Posted June 2, 2022 (edited)  76c12091520h Senior Member  Supporter     2,427 975 posts Joined: March 30, 2019 Member No:23255 Location: Sunbury,Pa Report post     #65 Posted May 18 Fronts are the originals, mine has 'em too  2 Lane Ranger and SylvanLakeWH reacted to this  Quote Edited June 2, 2022 by dmoore 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmoore   773 #9 Posted June 2, 2022 20220522_191921.heicFilnally got a chance to disassemble the old 854 today. Everything came apart perfectly. Now to media blast it all and get it in etch primer. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmoore   773 #10 Posted June 2, 2022 So while tearing down this lil tractor I noticed there were 2 roll pins securing the steering arm to the spindle. At first I was baffled. Then I looked at the parts breakdown and sure enough, there they were. A 1/4 & 5/16 roll pin. Anyone know why?? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmoore   773 #11 Posted June 2, 2022  oliver2-44 Jim  Supporter    6,339 3,866 posts Joined: November 9, 2014 Member No:14212 Lifetime Supporter: Location: Marble Falls, Tx Report post     #91 Posted May 22 Sometimes WH put one roll pin inside another ….possible for increased shear strength.  5 You, ebinmaine, 953 nut and 2 others reacted to this ×  Quote  Tractors are like Christmas Lights.....sometimes they look good in all one color (red) and sometimes they look good in multicolors!  Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmoore   773 #12 Posted June 2, 2022 Interesting, thank you for that!   Quote  Edit Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmoore   773 #13 Posted June 2, 2022  Handy Don Chargé de Mission  Supporter    5,364 3,908 posts Joined: September 12, 2020 Member No:25814  Location: Cortlandt, New York Report post     #93 Posted May 23   On 5/22/2022 at 11:30 PM, oliver2-44 said: Sometimes WH put one roll pin inside another ….possible for increased shear strength. Also so that shear forces could not compress the outer roll pin (they are hollow, after all). Compression would permit movement of the joint.  3 You, 953 nut and peter lena reacted to this ×  Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmoore   773 #14 Posted June 2, 2022  ri702bill Senior Member  Supporter    1,933 870 posts Joined: January 27, 2013 Member No:9447 Location: Rhode Island Report post     #97 Posted May 23 (edited) The frame looks nice and straight. How are the 4 Unidrive holes - any cracks? What about play or wear in the clutch shaft thru the frame - it is steel on steel, no bushings unless you add them. Edited May 23 by ri702bill  1 You reacted to this ×  Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmoore   773 #15 Posted June 2, 2022  dmoore dmoore  Supporter    474 463 posts Joined: September 24, 2009 Member No:1995 Military Member: Coast_Guard Location: Exmore, Va. Report post     #101 Posted May 23   On 5/23/2022 at 8:51 AM, ri702bill said: The frame looks nice and straight. How are the 4 Unidrive holes - any cracks? What about play or wear in the clutch shaft thru the frame - it is steel on steel, no bushings unless you add them. Frame is perfect condition. That area you show that bolts up to trans is perfect. It appears this tractor was used primarily for cutting grass. Ground engaging implements if used were not the norm.  2 ri702bill and Handy Don reacted to this  Quote  Edit Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmoore   773 #16 Posted June 2, 2022 Front axle came out beautiful today 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmoore   773 #17 Posted June 2, 2022 #3900 UniDrive has been cleaned & ospho'd and ready for primer tomorrow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill   8,281 #19 Posted June 2, 2022 11 minutes ago, dmoore said: Front axle came out beautiful today You may wish to install new Zerk fittings - with the check ball. They are 1/4-28 thread .... Bill 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmoore   773 #20 Posted June 2, 2022 All in Bill! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill   8,281 #21 Posted June 2, 2022 Not to open a can of woms, but.... have you considered doing an 8 speed swap from a later C series? I did mine, the 4 speed was filled with water and total junk when I got it. Not all that hard to do and I love it.Kevin @Pullstart did one on his 502. Mostly a bolt in with a couple of other parts. The only thing I had to give up was the parking brake, but first gear in Low range is close! Bill 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don   12,128 #22 Posted June 2, 2022 49 minutes ago, ri702bill said: Not to open a can of woms, but.... have you considered doing an 8 speed swap from a later C series? I did mine, the 4 speed was filled with water and total junk when I got it. Not all that hard to do and I love it.Kevin @Pullstart did one on his 502. Mostly a bolt in with a couple of other parts. The only thing I had to give up was the parking brake, but first gear in Low range is close! Bill I recently got an early 6-speed to put into my 854 project. The brake drum is in the same spot as the 854's 3-speed so I won't need to mess with the brake linkage and the parking brake still works and there is no dipstick to accommodate. Only mod was to cut the bottom of the center console to let the Hi-Low shifter through (the lever fits pretty snug to the transaxle body so leave room for that too). I'm choosing to put a smaller diameter pulley on the transaxle to slightly speed up both the low and high ranges since I don't plan to do any sod busting with this one. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart   62,772 #23 Posted June 2, 2022 6 or 8, I’m 100% supportive of low range round hoods!  Square hoods too 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill   8,281 #24 Posted June 2, 2022 4 hours ago, Pullstart said: 6 or 8, I’m 100% supportive of low range round hoods!  Square hoods too aka the ones they never made, but WE did... 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmoore   773 #25 Posted June 2, 2022 Guy's thank you for the suggestions but my pleasure is derived from originality, be it boats, cars, bikes, tractors or women!  However, I can truly appreciate a nice modification and the ingenuity that goes into it. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
