jdleach 525 #1 Posted August 21, 2016 Have brought the C-175 home, and in spite of the sorry state of the machine, I am both hopeful, and tickled. Without further ado, here are photos of the tractor freshly unloaded from the trailer. Thing was sitting in a mud hole beneath a bunch of trees, and certainly looks it. Mud, bugs, leaves, and twigs pretty well cover everything, along with some moss starting from the damp. First order is to wash it down to make it bearable to look at. Since the weather is supposed to be sunny and dry for the next few days, will leave it outside the garage to thoroughly dry out. Will then start making runs to the hardware store and NAPA to begin the process of bringing this beast back to life. 12 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 19,539 #2 Posted August 21, 2016 I like it! Hopefully it'll run good for ya. Mike.... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487 #3 Posted August 21, 2016 JD, very nice specimen to start with, I will be following along. Best of luck. Glenn 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MountainTopHunter 19 #4 Posted August 21, 2016 Nice tractor JD. I love the sound of those twin cylinder Kohler's. I have a C-175 identical to yours that I am in the process of restoring now. I am putting the engine back together and doing the valve job this week. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 24,126 #5 Posted August 21, 2016 Nice! Love the Black Hoods! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
woodchuckfarmer 333 #6 Posted August 21, 2016 A good wash job. A little wax job and a new seat and it will look like a different tractor. hope it runs as good as it looks. Wayne 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdleach 525 #7 Posted August 21, 2016 Whenever I start a project, and after I have done an initial evaluation, I clean the beast. So, Phase I of C-175 resurrection has now been accomplished. Spent an hour or so scrubbing the tractor down and hosing it off. My philosophy has always been to get whatever machine I am working on, in as clean and presentable condition as possible. It is not near as nasty to work on, and it gives a sense of accomplishment out of the gate. Here is how the tractor looks now, sans mud, leaves, and a whole lot of greasy goo. Note in the photo of the dash, I have already begun the restoration: tractor now sports one of Glenn Pettit's key fobs. Was having so much fun, the 312 decided to join! 13 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,967 #8 Posted August 22, 2016 Good looking tractor. Very wise of you to give it a good cleaning first. It's no fun working on a nasty tractor that does not run. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pollack Pete 2,273 #9 Posted August 22, 2016 VERY nice C175.I've got a couple of them myself.Have fun with your new toy.PS Sure looks a whole lot better cleaned up. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TDF5G 2,051 #10 Posted August 23, 2016 Congrats on your new acquisition! She looks very straight and solid and looks like it's going to be a worthwhile project. I notice the rear fender pan has already been upgraded from the original plastic to later model steel. I also like to clean things up before I start working on a project including the shop and floor! It just makes it more enjoyable to dig into! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,967 #11 Posted August 24, 2016 Yes, the Blackhood tractors look much better with the steel rear fender pan. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stratostar250 919 #12 Posted August 27, 2016 On the left side of the tractor, is that a lift indicator? That's pretty cool, I had a c-175 and mine didn't have one of those! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdleach 525 #13 Posted August 27, 2016 (edited) Yup, that is the lift indicator for whatever is attached. Have not posted for a few days, but I have not let the tractor languish either. Physically, I have done virtually nothing to the machine, other than to closely examine it. As I did so, I made an ever-growing list of items to purchase for the upcoming repairs and maintenance. Today, I plan to actually begin installing parts. The list of parts purchased thus far are: 1. Points and condenser. 2. Drive Belt. 3. Hydro cooling fan (blade broke to hell). 4. Plugs. 5. Air filter and pre-filter. 6. Hydro oil filter and oil. 7. Engine oil. 8. New tail lights (light lenses and housings all smashed, marker lights from NAPA are an almost exact match, although the single bulb models are no longer available, and the lens style is somewhat different). 9. Large bag of hair pin clips, machine screws, bolts, lock washers, etc., to replace the large variety of cotter pins, wire, nails, and missing fasteners on the tractor. As I did on my 312-8, the dash and tunnel panel screws are getting replaced with stainless steel fasteners of the same style. 10. Deck belt. Will post more, along with photos as the work progresses. Just now remembered some items I still need, and am heading out to get them. Edited August 27, 2016 by jdleach 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tuneup 1,416 #14 Posted August 28, 2016 If you're like me, you'll be on a first name basis with everyone at Ace Hardware. Some days, you'll be there three times for this fastener and that washer. Good times. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,967 #15 Posted August 28, 2016 Let me suggest you buy a set of spark plug wires. A new set made a huge difference on a KT17 series 2 engine I had. They were OEM Kohler. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdleach 525 #16 Posted August 28, 2016 16 hours ago, Tuneup said: If you're like me, you'll be on a first name basis with everyone at Ace Hardware. Some days, you'll be there three times for this fastener and that washer. Good times. Yeah, except I only get P.O.ed whenever I go to the local hardware stores, as they never have what I am looking for. We used to have an Ace just about a block from me, had everything. But they closed a few years ago. Thankfully, a Fastenal opened up and that is where I get a lot of may fasteners, washers, etc. Forgot to mention, I also got a new battery, as there wasn't one in it. Van: Went to get plug wires yesterday from NAPA, and found that wires are only available with the coil as a package. OEM Kohler price is a cool $219! Screw that. Just did a quick search on Google, and did not find any wires sold separately, all were with a coil. To save the coin, I think I am going to just "roll my own" wires. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 16,942 #17 Posted August 29, 2016 Nice. It will look great when refinished. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdleach 525 #18 Posted September 4, 2016 This tractor, in a word, is an utter disaster. There just isn't much good about it. Around here, the local scrap yard is named Kroots. This thing needs Krooted. That said, I am not going to scrap it. I am now committed, just a bit (a lot) disappointed in its condition. The good thing about the tractor, is that it is almost entirely original. Original Series I engine, it has compression, and is a first year black hood (1980). This sort of goes along with my 1985 312-8, which is the first year for that series of tractor. To give an idea of the severe wear in the machine, I am having to replace almost all the hardware for the PTO. PTO brake is MIA, trunnion has grooves the depth of the Grand Canyon, and the clevis has the holes wallowed out damn near large enough to drop a quarter through. And that is just the PTO. At least he PTO bearings are good, and the radius rod is serviceable. Will try to post photos of progress in another post tomorrow, or Labor Day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,967 #19 Posted September 4, 2016 On 8/28/2016 at 1:13 PM, jdleach said: Van: Went to get plug wires yesterday from NAPA, and found that wires are only available with the coil as a package. OEM Kohler price is a cool $219! Screw that. Just did a quick search on Google, and did not find any wires sold separately, all were with a coil. To save the coin, I think I am going to just "roll my own" wires. Dang, sorry to hear that JD. The two wires were available as a pair back a few years ago but the were kinda pricey at $45 for the pair. I can understand not wanting to spend the $219. Sounds to me like you'll be sitting in the shop rolling a couple more. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wishin4a416 2,185 #20 Posted September 4, 2016 Looks like a nice project tractor. I never had a Blackhood. Maybe someday. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge 3,462 #21 Posted September 4, 2016 Sounds like a perfect time for some welding practice and rebuild those parts . 7014 rod , 3/32" diameter is great for filling in worn spots - die grinder fixes the rest . I usually tig all mine after blasting and use a tool steel filler rod - helps stop the wear issue in it's tracks and if possible I machine bushings out of steel or brass depending upon the part . Good coat of stainless paint replaces zinc coatings well ... Sarge 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdleach 525 #22 Posted September 4, 2016 Exactly Sarge. I am fortunate in that I still own the old family machine shop. Closed it back in 1998, but have it all set up at another property I own. Got 2 wire feed welders, an Airco Dip Pak 200, and a Westinghouse from the '50s. A Hobart stick welder, the old "bomb" type, 200 amp, 1937. Still does a beautiful job. Lastly, got a Miller 200 amp TIG, water cooled, and recently completely gone through. Shop is all manual, no digital readouts, and the machines are obsolete, but still accurate. Four lathes, 3 mills, 2 shapers, surface grinder, 3 drill presses, punch press, 2 hydraulic presses, 3 saws, and an aluminum molding room. Can also do upholstery. Getting ready now to load up the 312-8 onto the trailer, along with some pieces from the C-175 to repair, and heading out there for a few hours. Will get some mowing done, and a few other chores. The issue with all the wear and breakage in the C-175, is that it really ticks me off how folks will abuse the things that work hardest for them. It is so unnecessary. Too, after 30+ years as a machinist and toolmaker, I get kinda tired of fixing crap. Often, it isn't much of a challenge anymore. I see something worn or broke, I usually know exactly how it needs to be addressed. It becomes: "Oh Great! I have to fire up the compressor, die grind out that crack, apply whatever rod, which means dragging out one of the welders. Thread, mill, turn it. Then prep and paint." By the time I run all the steps through my head, I am ready to go down to the local Toro dealer, and just order the part. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,967 #23 Posted September 4, 2016 3 hours ago, Wishin4a416 said: Looks like a nice project tractor. I never had a Blackhood. Maybe someday. Jack, you've got your 416 and now a 520. You can check them off the list and start looking for a Blackhood now. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 24,126 #24 Posted September 4, 2016 2 hours ago, Wheel-N-It said: ...and start looking for a Blackhood now. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdleach 525 #25 Posted September 5, 2016 After looking closely at the construction of my C-175, I can only say that the blackhoods are about the epitome of Wheel Horse design and construction. Consider: Last series with a die cast dash, the hood design and stamping is complex and well done, it has all the improvements found in the number series that followed, top-line trannys and frames, belting, and except for the Series I Kohlers, the best engines. There was a tremendous amount of engineering that went into these machines. I am glad I own one. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites