1964...854 Refresh family style

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487]

Ok. So I thought it's time to start the thread. Started this back in January with my sons. Teaching them the basics of using tools and such. Let's get into it. Hope you fellas enjoy it. The start. You remember when we got it. A bit rough and tired looking.

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487]

Starting the tear down. Let the boys do some work.

[redrooster 83]

You gotta like the looks of the round hood! [emoji122]

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487]

Progress...turtles pace

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487]

Most of you remember the steering wheel fight.

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487]

The rear hubs were a bigger fight.

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487]

WD40. PB blaster. Man's best friend on 50 year old nuts and bolts.

Edited July 16, 2014 by JERSEYHAWG / Glenn

[Racinbob 10,276]

This is going to be fun. My favorite model and your boys are hands on.

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487]

Transmission oil seals. Old seals on paper towel. Couple of them were shot. New seals installed.

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487]

Noticed something on the prep work. Invisible to the eye. Slight coat of paint brought it out. Look for the 3 cracks in the frame plate that attaches to the tranny. No good.

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487]

Took it to my friends shop. He installed a 3/16 plate over. Drilled holes in the new plate. Filled with welds to attach to old plate. I also found out the frame was twisted. No more. Haha. Stripped it down and reattached with grade 8 hardware.

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487]

Took it to my friends shop. He installed a 3/16 plate over. Drilled holes in the new plate. Filled with welds to attach to old plate. I also found out the frame was twisted. No more. Haha. Stripped it down and reattached with grade 8 hardware.

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487]

Sorry for jumping around. But I have many pictures to document and for putting it back together.

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487]

Cleaning things up. Replacing things. Note the big snot weld on the steering by the sector. Had to go. Got a new one.

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487]

New paint. New tires. New tubes. New wheel bearings.

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487]

Starting to re assemble parts.

[Racinbob 10,276]

That's going to look awesome with those tires. I had 23-8.50 ags on mine but the original fronts.

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487]

And here is where we are today with the rolling frame. I left many pictures out cause I have to many. But they are important when putting things back. Many of you know that.

[ri702bill 7,318]

Glenn:

 

Good to see the young ones eager to help, rather than killing time with an X-Box or other device. I put my 854 8 speed together last year & had the same problem with the frame - cracks at 3 of the 4 mounting holes & a pretty good twist to the mounting plate. I believe this was due to years of plowing, as mine came with the plow & correct 854 axle mount - that places a lot of torsional stress into the frame. Mine also had one ear of the lower cast iron steering support broken off, again due to frame twist.

I repaired the frame with two 3/16 x 2 flat straps and 4 pieces of 1/8 x 3/4 angle iron, drilling thru the plate to plug weld the parts and then gouged out the plate at the cracks to allow re-welding it all up & replaced the support. So far, so good. Surprised to see yours with only 3 bolt hubs like a 702, as the 854 came with machined 5 bolt hubs.

Your restoration looks great so far, what did you use for paint colors?

 

Bill

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487]

Bill. Regal Red. Seems the color of choice. Yes I noticed the 3 bolt hubs were incorrect. While checking the manual. If I can get a set I will swap them out.

Ok guys. Who has a set? Thank you for your compliment.

Glenn

Johnny wheeling the rim.

[ri702bill 7,318]

Glenn:

 

Thanks - I am glad to see that Johnny is also wearing the full face shield as he works the rim with the rotary wire brush - that's why they make the headband adjustable! What color are the rims, almond or linen beige? My 854 had a stuck open intake valve when I got it and is just in primer now, I wanted to get a season or so of run time on it before I pulled it apart for painting & fresh decals.

 

Bill

[AMC RULES 36,945]

Looks like the boys are doing an awesome  restoration job...  

let's keep 'em busy...can you send them over to my house when they're finished there Glenn?   

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487]

Ok. Let's talk paint. Just checked. Rustoleum antique white. And rustoleum Regal red.

Since I am not doing this for pebble beach this is what I chose to do. Frame parts. Transmission and all molded cast parts cleaned to bare metal. Quart CAN. OIL BASE. Brushed on. Minimum 3 coats. With a few days to cure in between. Warm temps and low humidity. Since the metal came from the cast with pot marks and such I did not see the sense to do spray. Flowed great. Dried great. Looks great. Should hold up very well. IMHO oil based stuff is stronger on wear. My thoughts to me anyway. So far we are all very happy. Even my brother has his hands in this. " family style"

Keeps the kids off x box. Away from the boob box. And a bit more of some basic mechanical skills to be broadened in the future. The hood. Fenders. Pan. Gas tower will be sprayed. Not sure yet. Rattle can or gun. To early yet to tell.

Thanks for the comments so far. I luv this new wheel horse hobby.

Glenn

Edited July 15, 2014 by JERSEYHAWG / Glenn

[Ken B 3,116]

That is looking real nice Glenn! I really hated parting with that tractor (truckin88 bought it from me) At the time it was the one that had to go. I cut the grass with it a few times while here and I remember it running real nice.

You've made some real good choice's, love the tires you've gone with and Rustoleum Antique White has been my color choice for years now on rims. Even if I go all out on painting a tractor with automotive paint I always use Rusto antique white on the rims. It goes on nice and it is pretty durable once its cured. Space is tight on my trailer and the paint on the rims take a beating, it touches up well also. Great choice on the help also!

My two boys are ages 20 and 12. When my older son Jesse was younger he was always out in the garage with me but once he turned 14 that was it, he was done. My younger son Cole... He takes two things seriously, X-box and racing go carts. He always says he wants to come out into the garage and learn but he never does. My wife said just the other day that Cole told her he wants to learn but I won't teach him! I told my wife that I have told Cole MANY times the garage door is ALWAYS open. If I have to drag him out there then he really doesn't want to learn...  Its his choice. I'm going to be doing some work on Cole's 854 soon, I will see if that excites him enough to leave the X-box off. He loves that 854 and its story. We bought it from Brian (Buckrancher) at the BIG SHOW a few years ago... Its one of the very few tractors in our stable that is on the never for sale list.

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,040]

Glenn/Ken-

I never realized I used to own this tractor too... It came out of a dealer collection in northern CT. I bought it along with my 701. Very nice tractor for sure and you and the boys are doing a great job.