Suburban 400 Restoration

[Jake Kuhn 1,547]

Well I started on another project yesterday, really should finish some others first but didn't have anything to do for the day, and this one was on the list of future restorations. I picked up the 400 at the big show from Scott Mehlberg as just a roller, and found most of the parts it needed at the show or already had them. I got it complete and running, and now I'm going to make it nice, the hood and fenders had been repainted, but weren't very nice, they were just rattle can and the hood had fish eyes in the paint. 

 

 

Here's a shot of it as I got it

 

together and complete, not sure if I'm going to use the weight, think I like it better without but that may change

 

down to just a roller

 

and most of the parts are in this pile

 

I won't be using the motor or trans out of this tractor, I already had a motor torn part way apart that will be going in this, don't have any pictures of it yet as its in a couple different locations....and the trans is already done and it was in its own seperate topic in the transmission section

 

Hope to get most everything blasted tomorrow besides wheels, frame and hood, and start on body work, this will probably be a slow project, but should be able to get most of the body work done in the next month or so as its not in too bad of shape.Will add more pictures as I go along. Thanks, Jake

 

 

 

[slammer302 2,154]

Looks great every time I read one of your threads it makes me inspired to get my projects done you do great work

[19richie66 16,880]

I agree!

[dclarke 4,011]

Gonna be another nice one! Keep up the good work, Jake.

[Dieselcowboy 210]

You really do good work Jake. Glad to see you keeping these junk tractors whole.

[prondzy 3,867]

very nice jake!

[Racinbob 10,260]

You do a great job on your restorations as well as your threads. Looking forward to following this.

[Jake Kuhn 1,547]

Thanks all for the comments...got a pretty good start on it today.

 

Blasted everything on it I'm going to use other than the frame, hoodstand, hood and fenders, those will have to be done at the shop with the bigger blaster...the paint don't want to come off very easily on the fenders or hoodstand

 

Got all these blasted, and any pits filled, these are now ready for primer and to be sanded. The clutch pedal and hitch have already been done once as I started on them in a batch of my 58 parts as I had spares laying around.

 

Also these are now ready for paint

 

 

[Jake Kuhn 1,547]

Here's a little update on the 400, haven't spent much time on it as I have several projects going on in the shop. Did pick up the motor from being bored today, hope to assemble it in the next week, but need to finish up some other stuff first. This ones getting a full rebuild, It was bored .010 over and had the crank turned .010 under. I also found a NOS carburetor and stator for it. This motor was built out of spare parts, but should turn out to be a very nice little engine.

here's most of the new parts

 

 

 

 

 

Also got the frame blasted, its going to need some pits filled before primer

 

got the seat primed and ready to be sanded 

 

And all these are ready for paint, just need a scotch brite ran over a few spots I couldn't get with the sandpaper

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mels 174]

Lookin' good, man.  Definitely inspires me to think about getting started, Lol...  Looks like you've got a nice space to work, that's key.  

I have the same seat, no holes, is that specific to one particular model from a specific year?  Still trying to determine exactly what we have here at Home and the seat may be a clue.  

Keep those pictures coming, they're real helpful for a new guy like me!

[Jake Kuhn 1,547]

Thanks Mels! And from what I've seen these seats were used in later 59 and most of 60.

[Pullstart 59,555]

Awesome!

[Jake Kuhn 1,547]

Got the engine back together as a short block today...Here's a couple pictures of it. Going to let the silicone I used on the gaskets dry and then get it to where I can test run it before painting it.

 

 

[slammer302 2,154]

Looks good

[woodchuckfarmer 333]

Great job Jake

[Jake Kuhn 1,547]

Got the engine running, seems to run pretty good and not smoke, only has 50lbs of compression, but hopefully it will get better when it breaks in.

 

Also got a batch of parts painted.

 

[Jake Kuhn 1,547]

Not a whole lot of new progress on the 400, been working on other stuff, but did find a couple parts for it at mentone today. Ended up with a nice set of front rims, a correct original belt guard in nice shape, and a nice frame and new reproduction heat shield.  Frame is nothing special, but no pitting, and mine had quite a bit of pitting so this will be a lot easier to fix.  The heat shields are pretty nice too, very very close to original, same size just a slightly different bend, if you didn't have an original to look at you could never know the difference. If anybody is looking for one I can put you in contact with him, he was selling them very reasonable.

 

edit...Just checked with him again on heat sheilds and at moment he is not quite ready to sell, he is looking into making some more that he thinks may be a little nicer. Will let you guys know if I hear from him about having some ready to sell.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 26, 2015 by Jake Kuhn

[chex313 123]

Excellent year 1960.... Its nice seeing how its done!

[motor12 367]

I enjoy your resto projects, makes me want to start a second RJ project. Keep up the good work.

[Jake Kuhn 1,547]

Well thought I should probably give an update on this one, its been a while! Motor and trans are pretty much completely assembled. I sent another batch of parts into get zinc plated so when i get them back they will be completely done. Also finished up the belt guard and heat shield, and picked up a NOS steering gear from bill jenkins at the show. I'm planning to make a new tie rod and then will have the steering issues worked out. Got the frame blasted and any rust pits filled, also cut off the foot bar and am going to weld a new one on. As far as the hood I didn't want to damage it blasting it because it was in pretty nice shape so I built an electrolysis tank, this is my second attempt at one of these, first one didn't work at all and this one kind of worked. It eventually did take off what needed to be removed but I spent an hr with a putty knife scraping the paint off and it was in the tank for almost 10 days. Hoping I can figure out why my tank isn't working right so if you have any advice I'd be glad to hear it. I used a 55 gallon drum, 6 anodes all wired together with 8 gauge wire, used a 12 amp charger and used the 1/2 cup to 5 gallons of washing soda as I have read. I will beadblast the hood carefully in my cabinet now that the paint is gone and it should clean up nicely. 
So as far as whats left on this tractor I just need to get a back set of tires and find a good steering wheel for it, finish up the frame and hood stand, and the hood. Hoping to get it done for scotts meet and greet but not going to rush it.

wheel painted

engine mostly together

guard, shield and my new steering gear

frame ready for the foot bar to be welded on

hood after being in the e tank



my e tank setup

bought a new set of 3 ribs for it a couple of weeks ago

and trans all finished up


 

[WHX?? 46,693]

Whats your source for the shifter boot Jake? If you have any used ones that are still mostly there it would fit my theme better,  I would be interested... pm me.

[Jake Kuhn 1,547]

They are still available from toro part # 3577

[MikesRJ 552]

Coming along quite nicely. Can't wait to see it completed!  

[dclarke 4,011]

looks good, Jake! 

[Pullstart 59,555]

Are you going to have this at the flywheelers show?  Looks great!