310-8 restoration/rebuild

[Draudio 32]

Hi all! This is my first real post, mostly a lurker(researcher) and a random comment now and then. So here we go.

 

About 1 1/2 years ago a coworker was moving and offered me two Wheel Horse tractors. All I had to do was go pick them up. They were in pretty rough shape but they were complete and free! I was able to get one running with just fuel and a battery. The other seemed to be locked up even though the PO told me it worked before it sat. Well hell, don't they all? More on this later. At the time all I knew about WH was the they made some sort of tractor at some time. 

 

WELLLL that was then. I have now caught the fever and after trying to find info on them have become inspired to bring them back to glory.

 

They are both 310-8, 1985 model as far as I can tell, PO stated he thought at least one was '85 as he bought it new. The only numbers I have to go from are the engine. The sticker by the seat is almost completely gone on both of them. So, as long as the engines are original they both come up as 1985.

 

About 2-3 weeks ago I decided I needed to do a complete restoration/rebuild due to the amount of rust. I started to disassemble the non running one so I could start removing the rust from the parts. While researching the best way to remove rust I discovered ELECTROLYSIS. I was fascinated by how it worked and it looked to be almost effortless to get down to bare metal. So I set up  a bucket with a couple of rods I had laying around, dropped in the battery tray and started my experiment. It worked pretty well for my first time.

The cool thing was I could have parts soak in the tank while I took more off or while I was scrubbing/wire brushing others. Since then I have set up a 40 gallon rubbermaid tub to fit bigger parts. 

 

I have now removed practically every nut, bolt, E-ring etc, and have parts in different stages of painting. 

 

[Draudio 32]

OK so I hit my max upload size, I guess I can make the pics a little smaller. Although I know you all are picture junkies! Why else would this be available

But that's OK cause I am too!

 

Anyway back to the pics.

 

 

[Draudio 32]

OK just a few more pics and you'll be caught up to current status. 

 

[Ken B 3,116]

Nice job so far! Keep the pics coming....

[bean 85]

beautiful job with the etank. I would be interested  to see how that is put together.

[AMC RULES 36,945]

Did you E-tank the gear box too? 

[Draudio 32]

No I did not e-tank the trans-axle. I was tempted to but didn't want to go through the trouble of dealing with any water that may get inside. I just took a wire wheel to it, that's why it doesn't shine quite like the other parts.

There is a chance I may need to replace some of the seals (had some grease build up) but I'm not sure I'm ready to tear it open just yet. Never dealt with the internals of a trans. It will be easy enough to drop it back out later when I'm ready for that task(I think). I know that is not the best approach but it will have to do for now.

 

Plus I am doing this "shade tree" style with almost no budget. Main point at this time is to get it back into reasonable shape and have fun while doing it.

I'm trying to rebuild it will as many original parts as possible. Only parts I have bought so far is a used belt cover and a left panel. My originals are really rough and rusted through in several spots.

I do have my work cut out for me on the hood stand though, it is rusted really bad but can't find a replacement. So I am going to try to replace the bad metal with good and test my welding/fabrication skills!

 

 

Also thanks for the positive comments everyone!

 

Hopefully have some more pics tonight.

 

'til next time

[953 nut 51,620]

  OK, I admit it,"I am a picture junkie"! Thanks for my fix for today.  

Looks like you are becoming a "Horseaholic" like the rest of us, nice work you are doing. Keep up the postings and PLESAE SEND MORE PICTURES, I need my fix every day.  

 

 

 

[Draudio 32]

Thanks to the internet and a guy named Rust I got my next e-tank specimens today.

I was going to try to cut and patch or putty the old ones but for a pair of Jacksons these are here.

 

There is just a little surface rust and they are not thinned out like the originals. They should turn out real nice compared to the results I may have ended up with the other way. 

 

Got a second coat of primer on the trans today but it got too dark to get a good pic. Tomorrow I am hoping to get a second coat on the frame and a few small parts. Debating bolting them back together before color coat, it was not painted there when I took them apart. I have the prime coat there to keep it from rusting in there. Then the color coat may seal the seams some.

Any thoughts/experience? 

I am leaning towards painting before bolting them together. Is there any sort of grounding between them that I should be concerned about?

 

 

Thanks in advance

 

Also does anyone know where I might find a hood stand/center console?

Cause it is pretty rough also, but if I can't find one I will have to "re-fabricate" the old one!

Not the best pic but you get the idea.

 

 

[Draudio 32]

Well I encountered my first paint prep flub today. 

I noticed some cracks in the primer on top and in the valleys where the case bolts are. When I rubbed them with my finger to see what was happening some of the primer came right off. About a 3-4 inch area is now back to bare metal. There is probably more that is loose but I was disgusted and moved on to something that would continue forward progress for today.

 

My theory is when I laid it on its side while cleaning it I learned that you have to keep the 2 bolts that the tank stand mounts to in the holes to prevent the gear oil from escaping. I cleaned it with solvents but I guess I just didn't clean it as well as I thought. WHOOPS! Live and learn.

Wish I would have read dgjks6's c-85 rebuild thread before I got the trans onto the table! 

Really I should have just drained it first but I thought it would remain contained!

 

The bad - I will need to strip a fair amount of the top of the trans back down to metal, clean it again and then re-prime. 

The good - it is mostly where the tank stand would mount so the mistake will most likely not be visible. I WILL recover from this and hopefully not loose a lot of time.

 

On a good note I now have 2-3 good coats of primer on the frame. So I am getting closer to getting it painted.

I feel like if I can at least get back to a rolling chassis in the next week or 2 I will remain on track.

[Draudio 32]

I think I am back on track, paint prep flub repaired! It is not as good as it should be but it will be under the tank stand. As long as I can forget about it all is good. I have to keep reminding my self this is still going to be a worker, I just don't like making mistakes. I know it is going to happen but I still don't like it!

 

At this point the trans is primed, sanded and ready for color coat.

 

 

I also realized I have not posted any pics of the tractor before I started. I already had a few things off since I snagged the tank for my other 310-8 and the hood was loose when I got it.

 

.

 

 

Going into PA tomorrow to pick up my hoodstand from Jdog's Horse Ranch! I'm thinking I should probably take some extra $$, who knows what else I may come home with.

 

 

[Draudio 32]

I've also been meaning to get pics of my e-tank up here. 

 

 

[Ed Kennell 35,717]

WOW , that was one sad little horse.  Great save.

[boovuc 1,090]

Where in the he*# did he store those machines!? In a pond or underground?

WOW!

 

Bravo for restoring them! Very commendable and a great job so far!

[welderman85 53]

Great save where those found In a pond or the titantic wreckage that's awesome of you to fix them

[Draudio 32]

 

You would think so! I think they just spent their entire life outside.

I figure If I can bring this back to life I can tackle almost any restoration/rebuild!

Of course I may have more $$ in it than it is worth when I'm done but I'll consider that educational costs.

[Draudio 32]

Got my 'new' hoodstand and then some. I actually ended up with a full carcass from an Anniversary Edition with frame, steering components and dash plates. This in addition to a second hoodstand and console(which is all I really went to get). Managed to fit it all in the back of my Element, this car is amazing!

I'm hoping to integrate the hour meter and volt meter into my rebuild. I'll just have to figure out how to modify the wiring harness.

 

 

Not as much done this weekend as I planned but still got some things done.

 

Frame primed and ready for sanding.

 

 

Clear coat on some of the parts that have had time to let the color cure.

 

 

A first coats of red on the trans.

 

 

Seeing red on the trans is making me anxious to get the frame red and start bolting things back together. MUST HAVE PATIENCE, MUST HAVE PATIENCE!

 

 

[Draudio 32]

More paint going on. I got a third coat on the majority of the trans today. Also got two coats on the top of the frame, spindles and the mid Tach-o-matic.

 

 

I will post better (daylight) pics when I get the chance.

 

With any luck I will be bolting some things back together this weekend.

 

I also need to switch gears again and get more parts through the e-tank. Have to get my new front Tach-o-matic cleaned up in order to put the front axle back on. I decided to buy a used one off of the bay due to the rods on mine being so rusted, got the whole unit for less than I would have paid for the rods alone. As well I needed hood brackets so I made sure to find one with them attached.

 

 

[bitten 133]

Man you got guts. Those looked to be in bad shape and most would have passed them up for a restore. The before pics look like they had all red hoods on them and that would indicate that they are 85's. Im not sure how many amp's the hour meter and the volt meter drawl but you have to be careful as the 85' only put out 3 amps.(my experience is not enough to run the head lights for a long time).

Vinyl guy has made a set of the decals for my 85' red hood and they turned out very nice.

Good luck and keep up the good work. 

[Draudio 32]

Man you got guts. Those looked to be in bad shape and most would have passed them up for a restore. The before pics look like they had all red hoods on them and that would indicate that they are 85's. Im not sure how many amp's the hour meter and the volt meter drawl but you have to be careful as the 85' only put out 3 amps.(my experience is not enough to run the head lights for a long time).

Vinyl guy has made a set of the decals for my 85' red hood and they turned out very nice.

Good luck and keep up the good work. 

I've been learning about the electrical system and recently discovered the 3 amp output. I may back off on adding the gauges for this build, unless I can change out the stator and add a regulator easily to get more out of the system. However like I said I am still learning so it may wait until the 2nd one. 

 

Nice to hear Vinyl Guy has already done a set of "Red Hood" decals, hopefully he saved the file. I do have to ask though, were the original decals silver or white? Mine appear to be white but the few I have seen pics of are silver. Of course you've seen my tractors and they could definitely be faded from silver.

 

Thanks for the support

[Draudio 32]

RED, RED & MORE RED!!!!

 

I think this is the final coat for the frame and trans. I'm pretty satisfied with the results.

 

See for yourself

 

Hopefully be bolting them back together by this weekend.

 

NOTE: The Rustoleum seems to like the cooler weather. I painted some parts when it was reaching mid 80s and it took days and days to dry to where it didn't leave prints. However now that it is getting into the low 50's/high 40s at night the paint seems to dry overnight and I can handle it the next day. 

In both cases the humidity has been fairly low as we have not had much rain in the last month or so.

 

 

[maxed500 10]

Wow that red looks slick!!!!  You have a lot of drive and patience to try to restore those wh's considering their starting condition.  Great job keep them pics commin'

[bitten 133]

They are a silver decal.

[ol550 825]

Your before pics bring to mind the Kenny Rodgers song "The Gambler".  Aparently you have decided to hold, I think

I would have folded.  Good job and remember we do what we do for the fun of it.

[Draudio 32]

First parts reassembled tonight!

Bolted trans and frame back together. It actually started as just a mock up but I couldn't help myself and ran the bolts in.

 

Then slipped the front axle on. The front tach-a-matic is being painted so I won't be able to secure the axle till at least the weekend. 

 

 

I need to get the wheels cleaned up and get my mew tires soon to make it a rolling chassis. 

Any suggestions on tires to avoid? I am on a minimal budget so I will be buying cheap tires but I don't want to get anything that won't hold up. 

I'm thinking of putting ag tires on the rear. For the front I'm torn between straight ribs (like the ones that were on it) and tri-rib.

 

It's main functions are going to be a snow mover and general yard work machine. It may do more if I can find some implements for a reasonable price. For now I have only a dozer blade, that is in rough shape and a snow blower that is in OK condition. The blower is actually a 6 2211, from what I have found is from 1968 or so. I assume the PO used it but not sure if it works on the 300 series. If not I guess I have my first item to sell at the WHCC show.

Anyway that is jumping ahead, need to make a tractor first!