HD5

So I finally got the HD5 picked up. Found the starter button was junk. I managed to get it started and running fairly good and even leveled a little patch for a friend. I am supper excited to have this old machine and see it back in action again. I have a small video but the quality isnt very good and I haven't had any luck with loading photos on here for some reason. But once I get it figure out I'll get them loaded.

The tractor looks good. These old machines just keep going. Enjoy it and congratulations on saving another one.

Nice tractor. congratulations!
You’re in the right place for help and ideas. These forum members are the best and really care.

So if you have a starter button it means someone put a M42 starter onto the 2-71 - seems that is the best conversion and thenthe next is to replace the generator with a alternator - 

All right folks. Here is a bit of an update. The dozer already has an alternator on it but not hooked up. I have been using a group 31 batter to power it. Not sure if it's a different starter or not. I know you have a push rod to start it and it pushed the starter armature out and then goes to what I call a "button" that simply makes a power connection to the starter itself. Yesterday I was running it around and the cobbled cooling system in it came apart. So currently I need a radiator (preferably for this machine) all the short metal. Previous owner got a little creative with the cutting torch to fit what ever radiator in it he could find. A new fan and hoses. Oh and I need to fix the battery boxes (lids) new seat, all new fuel lines and head gasket. And finally I need to rebuild both rams one may need replaced as the head piece is broke and cobbled up. But currently the cooling system parts are my main concern.

Yeah that's not bad. I run a mobile diesel repair business. The hardest part is finding the parts.

So I got a quote to completely build a ne radiator today and a quote for a used radiator. 1200 to build a new one. $800 for a used one with no guarantee it's even good. This seams a little high to me. What do you all think?

High for a used one w/no grantee, but knowing what my son just paid for a rad for his Peterbuilt, and that was a stock item, not a special order like the your would be, I'd say you are in the ballpark. You might find it a little cheaper else ware, but it will never be cheap for a new one

Coke-in-MN wrote: I found one from a parts dealer ( THILL TRACK & TRACTOR ) for the full hard noze and radiator for under $200 - now that was a few years back .   Rebuilding on ? I used a radiator from a 47 Chev car for a bit on my HD5B but it tended to overheat when pushed hard .   There are parts out there it's just finding them .Head gasket I got from a Detroit Diesel supplier - cheaper than a parts house - same as rebuilt HV7 injectors .   Battery box covers I just had some plate steel cut to size and ran in a breal to make the 2 90 deg bends - then welded a tab on to idex into the bolt in front of case

For my battery boxes, I used treated 1/2” plywood cut to fit tops. Added a piece of angle stock to lock it down. Put thick foam on it and covered with black vinyl. Arm rests!

Dharless wrote: I think for the arm rest/battery box lids I will use a sheet steel lid then use a marine grade plywood as a base for the cushion and then a black vinyl. I will probably do the seat the same way. And may add some orange vinyl for trim. Give it a little dress up.

Sweet!

I remember a many time getting on the hd6 or the 6g in the middle of a summer day in a dirt pit starting the machine and that hot black vinyl feeling like a flame thrower to your skin. I do remember the 955 and old d6 had the nice wide seats that the girlfriend could sit net to ya.

I bought a IH T340 with a blue/grey minivan seat on it.

that chev car radiator I used fit into the width or brackets and for length was right also - just the number of cores were not enough . 
 Stock HD5 radiator is not a pressure unit - just open overflow from tank - 

individual or salvage dealer?

Salvage yard has them.