AMC RULES 36,945 #51 Posted April 3, 2015 ...and it's perfectly sized for him too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 662 #52 Posted April 3, 2015 Steve, I believe you may have convinced me to keep my eyes open for a decent LXI. I always thought the were priced ridiculously high but may have to find me a fixer upper Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shallowwatersailor 3,213 #53 Posted April 4, 2015 Wow, that has a throaty sound! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,038 #54 Posted April 4, 2015 I pulled the muffler off today as the fire did a number on it. The baffles were pretty much bouncing around inside. I cut a section out and pulled the broken and rotted baffles. I then fabricated a piece of sheet metal to fit over the damaged muffler area. I tried to braze it but no go. I held it on with hose clamps for now. It will have to be welded up. A new one is close to $400 bills.-OMG !! I think I can find one to fit the ports but I will have to change the outlet pipe from the old to the new. Once it is welded up I will see how it sounds and I may just keep it as it. I also started to sand the tins down and there was one small dent that needed a little bodywork to fix it. Check out the sound. Any 520lxi guys out there let me know how much louder mine is that yours with the baffles. Thanks- Muffler no baffles.MOV Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,945 #55 Posted April 4, 2015 No brakes either? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC 616 #56 Posted April 4, 2015 Hard to tell. It does not sound that much louder. I believe the quieter the better. Noise can cause fatique over time. Has anyone tried to adapt an automotive type small engine muffler to their tractor with any success? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shallowwatersailor 3,213 #57 Posted April 4, 2015 No brakes either? That's the 5xi "creep." We pay extra for that adjustment. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,038 #58 Posted April 4, 2015 Yes forgot to set the brake. Fireman just stopped over and took it for a ride. I think he is ready to sell his green one now... lol ! He took my muffler and said he will try to weld up the patch with his super welder... You the man Jeff ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,116 #59 Posted April 5, 2015 What kind of super welder are we talking about? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,038 #60 Posted April 5, 2015 One that I do not have... He already welded up the patch that I fabricated. He gave it a quick sanding and hit it with a coat of high temp black. Man I have to say Jeff is the man !! Thanks Jeff !! Here is a pic he texted me earlier... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487 #61 Posted April 5, 2015 XI fever will set in. Dont believe me,,,,,,,try one. Then you will have to own one. Now if someone could make a big square hood for the xi that looks like the hood on the 300 400 500 tractors,,,,,,man,,,,a stampede will start to own one. A great great machine. I notice more folks getting them. Glenn 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 1,021 #62 Posted April 5, 2015 Weld didn't come as nice as I like it to be. My welding gas is on "E". I had the settings turned down almost as low as they would go so I wouldn't burn through the light gauge metal. Didn't want to run a straight bead and over heat it so I tacked the line instead. Burned through on a couple of spots and had to build it up to seal it. It will clean up nice with a grinder. I ran out of time and hit it with a light coat of high temp paint to protect the bare metal. I'm sure Steve will have it looking nice in no time! Ken, No real super welder. Just a Hobart 187 running 75/25 gas. Handles anything I'll ever need to do. Actually you can see it in the background of the picture. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,038 #63 Posted April 5, 2015 Jeff met me at dunkin donuts this morning so I could grab the muffler and install it. I really like the sound. A little throaty but not too much. I put the muffler back on and took video of the engine running. I also took the front headlight cover off, cleaned and painted the housing and buffed the lense a bit. Not perfect by any means but much improved. Funny thing on the dash and headlight lenses is that they are not seamed. Are they all unsealed or is it just mine? I suppose I could seal with a very thin weatherstip. Muffler Welded up.MOV Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jtstraw 16 #64 Posted April 5, 2015 Glad you found one close to you. Just finished rolling the yard with mine. This thing is growing on me. Like everything about it but the smart steer has got to go! Love the decals. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackhammer 544 #65 Posted April 5, 2015 Cmon Steve - get that young man a seat Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,038 #66 Posted April 6, 2015 Here is an update on prepping the metal. All the tins are in primer except for the foot boards. I need to remove the plastic pads, sand them and then prime them. I got the Valspar hardener today in the mail. I just need to wet sand the primer and then they will be ready for top coat. I had a few areas that needed some filler. The hood had a small dent and the back of the fender pan was pushed in a bit so I had to fill that area. If the weather is good this weekend I hope to get the tins painted and put this tractor back together. I am still missing the front bumper cover. I am not sure if I want to fabricate a front bumper or buy a new cover for $75. We will see. Here are a few pics as of tonight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
papaglide 541 #67 Posted April 7, 2015 Stevebo, could you please describe how you cleaned and buffed the headlight lens and how you painted yours? Mine is hazy, yellowish and doesn't dish out half the amount of light yours does. Thank you sir! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 1,021 #68 Posted April 7, 2015 As the saying goes "no moss grows under your feet"!!! I figured you have it all done by this weekend. If I didn't have to, quote un-quote, "baby sit" a certain someone everyday, I would be down in my shop getting things done too! (You know who I mean Steve) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Irv 115 #69 Posted April 7, 2015 I saw that tractor for sale last year and was tempted. Glad you got it and are doing such a great job on it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baerpath 517 #70 Posted April 7, 2015 Longer than that Irv been in my shed for over two yrs LOL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shallowwatersailor 3,213 #71 Posted April 7, 2015 (edited) Stevebo, could you please describe how you cleaned and buffed the headlight lens and how you painted yours? Mine is hazy, yellowish and doesn't dish out half the amount of light yours does. Thank you sir! Mike, I've done this on my 520xi. Just remove the lens assembly and unclip the clips to separate the the lens and housing. Dust gets in there and is the majority of the haziness. Wash them, and then I used Meguiars Polish for paint with a Mother's Sponge head to polish the lens. I actually painted the area other than the headlight area black for an updated look as well. Edited April 7, 2015 by shallowwatersailor 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,038 #72 Posted April 7, 2015 Stevebo, could you please describe how you cleaned and buffed the headlight lens and how you painted yours? Mine is hazy, yellowish and doesn't dish out half the amount of light yours does. Thank you sir! I used a medium to heavy grit compound and buffed with cloth by hand. IMO a machine is too fast, hot and uncontrollable. I did that on the inside and outside. I then used a cleaner/wax. The bucket if you will has a think plastic triangle shaped piece that is in the middle. I pulled that off and painted it a hammered gray. I think painted the inside of the bucket with a high metallic silver spray paint after cleaning and prepping with steel wool. I had that on hand but if I were to go to the store I would by a chrome paint made for plastic. Not really all that hard to do. Mine is much cleaner but by no means perfect. I put the tins back on the tractor and then wet sanded it with 800 wet/dry. I then washed the down with water and cleaner. She is wet but when she dries will be pretty much ready for paint. I have a few small areas that I need to fill with some light putty, sand, re prime, re wet sand and then paint. Here she is... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,038 #73 Posted April 7, 2015 Mike, I've done this on my 520xi. Just remove the lens assembly and unclip the clips to separate the the lens and housing. Dust gets in there and is the majority of the haziness. Wash them, and then I used Meguiars Polish for paint with a Mother's Sponge head to polish the lens. I actually painted the area other than the headlight area black for an updated look as well. John= That looks really good and exactly what I was going to do but only did the triangle shaped plastic. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,116 #74 Posted April 7, 2015 Lookin good Steve, so what shop will the over spray fall in? Barn, survivor or garage? I think with some plastic laid down the survivor shop would make a nice paint booth. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,038 #75 Posted April 7, 2015 I plan on painting it outside the barn. Once the part is painted I will bring it in the barn to dry. The compressor is down there so I am limited. One of my very best spray jobs was outside at the old house. Wet sanding "may" be required.... lol This weekend looks sunny with upper 50's to low 60's..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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