WD 45 next? YES!!!

Pulled the 45 in the garage for some much needed updates:)

Removed hood and valve cover to find a lot of gray thick goop. Wiped all this out and fired up the engine. seemed to have good oil flow at the push rods.

The exhaust manifold has a crack across the casting just below the muffler.

I found a good used Vinson manifold in the vast warehouse. Needs some work but not cracked.

Tool box has seen better days and many repairs.

Left side of the radiator housing has been chopped by PO.

Opposite lower corner of the rad shell is not good.

Screen has had its share of damage too.

Battery box is toast

Hood has a dent in the side and several typical issues 

Just tring to make the old 45 more respectable. Not trying to do a restoration at this time and maybe never? Poor old tractor sure has been through a lot. Most of yo know what I mean if you have bought a old used tractor in the last 30 years. 

I have replaced the manifold with a good used one. new studs and nuts. New manifold gaskets. New TC exhaust pipe.

Cosmetic stuff like new tool box, new PTO knob.

 Lights are functioning. These are nice to have when at a late night tractor pull, or plowing snow. (Old grill still in place)

Have hammered on the new (used) grill, to get the dents out. Still have rust repair and the mesh to replace someday. But it is a better grill than the tattered one on the tractor now.

Hood had some dents removed and edges straightened.

After pulling it out of the shop and letting it warm up I see I need to replace both the springs in the throttle and hydryulic levers at the quadrant.

Also it seems to be reving to high too soon. I have to figure that out. All linkages seem to be ok, but may need adjustments.

On the list is a new bracket for the alternator, tucking the alt inside the swoosh of the grill extension.

 Oh yea take the seat assembly off and look at the brakes on that side too. At least add the brake return springs. 

Thanks for checking in on me and listening to a old man ramble on and on!:)

(FYI That good tire is a 13.6-28)

Regards,

 Chris

Seen a pin hole leak on the tank support. This is fighting me every step of the way I guess?:) So it will come off again for another brazing session. Have wing nuts on most of the stuff at this time! Not real happy about that, but such it the life of a guy with a bunch of old tractors.:)

Roughed out a new base bracket for the alternator. Have to Mig it together today if the rain ever stops! This will allow the one wire alternator to set higher and be tucked inside the grill extension. Shorter belt required and alterations to the adjusting bracket. 

With the radiator off the new used grill was trial fit up. 

So I have seen several folks mention troubles with aftermarket radiators. I see some on line, from a low of $180 up to $300+! Some look lie they don't have the side or fan shroud sheet metal. Any suggestions/ recommendations?

Ok I did find a weird one that I will share. May have mentioned before? On the crank pulley the threaded portion of the lock screw is missing. It looks like the point of the lock screw is still in the hole and into the crank. A portion of the threads must still be there as the pulley seems to be turning correctly with the crank.  I have a new (used lock screw) but really not sure how I will extract the broken tip. 

My guess is the PO did not understand how the big lock nut had to be loosened first??? The same type of lock nut for the starter had a large nut welded at a odd angle on to the hex end of the bolt. Very weird stuff!

Regards,

 Chris

Folks,

I looked at the crank pulley a little more, with some other eyes too. Looks like the lock screw is just gone, and the pulley spun on the crank then stopped. So I am working on pulling it off. 

Started raining again so that's on hold, but I did get the pulley to move a 1/4 inch. It will come off! 

To get a puller on the crank pulley the shaft for the hand crank had to come out. That has a good bend in it and fought it the whole way out too. I have no clue how someone would bend that rod?

Thanks for checking in on me!

Regards,

Chris

Thanks, I will keep that in mind! The braze was around the spot welded bracket. Probably still some dirt and crud under the bracket. which is leaving a pin hole. Will have to check it in the morning!

Folks,

Went to local radiator shop and the owner looked at my old radiator. The more he looked the worse it got, Lots of soldered and epoxy repairs on a recore. It was going to cost as much as a new one or more to fix it.  So I picked up a used radiator , and a new thermostat at Sandy Lake. 

Looks pretty good!

Here is the right side of the grill extension. It was smashed and crumpled. Several well placed hits with some body tools brought it back close to original shape.

This grill has some rust issues on both sides but should be able to be patched, smoothed and saved.

Starting to get the parts to make the tractor complete again. Grill shell sans radiator.

Thanks for checking on me!:)

Regards,

 Chris

Simple fix, once I figured it out by looking into the parts book.

I will check the system like he mentions.

Regards,

 Chris

Wrestled those loaded rear tires on to the trailer and delivered to local tire shop. Will get the calcium removed, tires unmounted, and then evaluate the rims for possible repairs. New rims are about $450 each!

Humm looks like the seals in the finals should be replaced too. Nothing we havent seen before. 

Thanks for checking on me!

Regards,

 Chris 

Thanks for the kind words! Never know if I helping or not. Just hoping it might help someone along the way as you mentioned. Lots of areas on these that I dont know much about. Haven't done much engine or drive line work on a old Allis yet!

So I have a question on the rims. I think these are std 12 inch wide? I was thinking of widening the rims during the repair work. Any recommendations? Was seriously considering getting a pair of Firestione 14.9-28's. Not cheap. And that would mean I would have more money into this that you could ever hope to get out of it. Which is not unusual when fixing one of these up!

Still lots of moves to make, and I dont work on this full time. I try to do a few things each day. This is what i did Friday night. Hauled my Uncle Chucks mini-mod to the dirt track. This was only his second race, just bought the car (his first) last fall. At 75 he is enjoying life and getting out side his comfort zone. Came home in one piece, him and the car!

Yesterday I took apart the 8 wheel to rim eccentrics. Was a pleasure not having to fight them. Someone had these apart and greased them in the last 5 years!

I do need several of the wheel stops and bolts that go on the adjusting rails. This tractor did not have any! I like to have them in place for insurance. Have to check in the vast warehouse to see if I have a set. I see Steiner's has a bolt and clip for $25.

Should have the rims back Monday. They may go right to sandblast. That's the best thing I have found. Then you can see all the areas that may need work. Humm wonder if I have a old junk rim to take repair sections out of?? I know both valve steam areas are bad, and will have to be rebuilt.

Its raining hear today, so I may try to get the front pedestal bearings and seals back together.

Hope things are good in orange land!

Regards,

 Chris

I had to laugh, you just can't get away from those leaky gas tanks! I remember you working on that 17 tank for a long time. You must be getting better with only 2 tries.

 

I wish I had some of your talent for bodywork. You're going to have them fixed up great.

 

I had to cringe when I say the pictures of the roll pin in the hand crank rod. I've had mine in and out 3-4 times and it's always a fight to get it supported and the pins driven in and out!

 

That looks like a nice radiator. Too bad it doesn't have the mounts, but I know you'll get it.