This 701 has sentimental value. My wife got it for me almost 20 years ago for a Father's day present. As such, it's the only tractor that I have that I want to do a true restoration on. Or at least as close as I can. I modify everything, but this one just gets restored. Mostly... 

I had held off starting it for a long time over the hood of all things. The original hood had been drilled out, and I didn't like it. The 701 hood is unique, so not having it just really was a deal breaker. Thanks to @Chris G, I now have a decent hood to work with. 

The bad news of course, is this tractor is ROUGH. It's all there (engine and correct double belt guard and square seat pan are in my shop), but it's really in bad shape overall. On top of the obvious, the transmission will need a complete overhaul. The engine has compression, but will also need rebuilding.

So this one will take a while. Every single part will need work. The frame and tower will be sandblasted. The front spindles are almost worn out. The list goes on...

So, this thread will be a long one. Maybe not a "Collosal" one, but still... 

So today I drug the old tractor out of the barn and at least swapped the wheels and tires to the ones I'd planned to use, and swapped hoods. The whole tractor is in "soak" mode, as it will get some penetrating oil daily everywhere for a week or so. Then it will move over to my lift and get started.

1955-1989

Wheel Horse Red

- Valspar Restoration Series International Harvester Red (paint code: 3344)

- GM #81 matched at an auto paint store

- Rustoleum Regal Red (paint code: 7765-830)

- Krylon Cherry Red (paint code: 2101) available at Wal-Mart

- PPG Paint code

--- PPG Wheel Horse Red DAR 4021 ALT H

---- DMR 478 149.4

---- DMR 490 7.0

---- DMR 451 286.6

---- DMR 474 533.4

---- DMR 475 507.8

---- DXR 495 40.0

---- DMR 499 536.4

Wheel Horse Linen

- Duplicolor Wimbledon White (paint code: T205) (Autoparts stores)

- Valspar anti-rust Gloss almond (Paint code: 21935)

- Sherwin Williams - Controls Rust - Antique White (paint code 140-2486)

- Rustoleum gloss Ivory (paint code: 249110)

- PPG Wheel Horse Linen Beige DAR 8799

---- DMR 486 8.0

---- DMR 490 3.0

---- DMR 487 19.0

---- DMR 400 200.0

---- DXR 495 20.0

---- DMR 499 870.0

1990-2007

Wheel Horse Red

- Toro Red - New (eBay and Toro Dealers)

Wheel Horse Black

Wheel Horse Silver (Pewter)

I have enough to get started, and the tire/ wheel combination was one part of the puzzle that I've at least solved.

I'll be using another brand front axle with 1 inch spindles and 4 bolt trailer hubs with very wide front tires because I likes em wide... 

The engine choice is still not confirmed but I am of course leaning towards another Vanguard 14. I have a Magnum 20 that was disassembled by the PO for a completely wrong reason but I'm just not sure if I want to dive into that rabbit hole yet or not. I have options either way. 

I still have a few parts to pick up, and as always my stuff changes faster than my 3 daughters change outfits... 

The first wheel and tire got painted, so 3 more to go in the next week or so. My frame, transmission and sheetmetal are pretty typical for tractors in the south, meaning they have a generous coat of rust and faded paint to work through. 

But anyway, this thread might last a long time but it's finally started. 

i believe the valve is worn and leaking internally. attachments leak down in a couple of minuets.

I managed to acquire a suburban 400 from a young lad who bought it then realised he couldn’t do anything with it! 

Had a very large Briggs engine fitted, a VW Beetle steering box and too many hacks to mention.
 

he nabbed the narrow rears and left me with the rest! 
 

gearbox full to the brim with water!

Interesting stretch chassis to take a Briggs engine.

lots of chassis patching!

rolling.....
 

making a new hoodstand

steering gears - same size and ratio as the original - but will outlast them!

looking more like it

onto that gearbox

it was a mess, all the bearings were gone!

they had chopped the bottom of the casing for some reason

nearly together - amazon packaging to the rescue as a gasket  

done - with a modifed C series shifter

onto the brake drum - I turned down and old cast pulley.

reamed the inside to 3/4"

all done - just the pedal and linkage to sort....

Ewan very kindly fired up the forge and made me a pedal.

new brake/clutch pedal in place - I thought a bigger bush can't be a bad thing!

donor Clinton engine didn't spark - home made puller did a reasonable job. Points cleaned up and all connections clean - we were in action!

didn't have a pull start either - so made a start cup and used a new tecumseh pull start

finally made two footrests to match. Hard work in the press, but a modified bolster chisel did the job!

Finished - just needs the right steering wheel and hood!

Does anyone have something that could be shipped to the UK?

My plans with it are see how it runs (motor is free) and I might swap out the the 14hp into my 73' that was originally a 14hp but has a 12hp now. 

And then I am thinking of lowering it and swapping pulleys out to make it faster. It will get paint of some kind as well. 

Deck is there and I pulled it off but it's a bit of a mess, blades are locked up.

Thanks.

I seen a thread a while ago were someone added steering to a 518. Figured that would be a nice side project if I came across a reasonably priced steering valve. 

I wanted to keep it looking the same and tucked in the column. It was a little tricky with a mix of face seal and jic piping. Picked up some face seal fitting from MMC and silver soldered to the steel pipe.  

For now it is on ice, next will be the front axle mod to accept the steering cylinder. 

Absolutely don't need a 520H with power steering but I like to build things and keeps me out of the Mrs. cross-hairs. 

Used the c120 and old deck belt to test run.

front view

ENTER BLACKBEARD!

Not unlike some of you, we name our tractors that we are going to keep in the family.  This tractor came up for sale locally just a couple of days ago.  It is model number 7452 serial number 724916.  We bought it from a guy named Todd who was the son of the original owner.  The tractor seems to be well cared for although the paint is pretty thin.  It has a several items that need work before it can be run but it seemingly much closer than my existing tractor.  The PTO gave out about five years ago on Todd's dad and looks to have fried the wiring in that circuit completely (I'd be open to comments about that possibility...). The fuel in the tank is stagnant but other than that it is in very ORIGINAL condition for being about 46 years old.  It came with the original owners manuals for the tractor, deck, and snowthrower.  It also came with an old 8" furrow plow which is missing multiple parts.  Todd said that he grew up cutting and blowing on that tractor.  His dad passed away a couple of years ago and his mom asked him to get the tractor and parts out of the garage.  He didn't have time to fix it up so he sold it to us...

Here Zach and Judge look at Blackbeard loaded up and ready to head home.  Zach is a big fan of pirate movies and when we saw that non original black painted hood, that was the name that came to my mind...

Here's Todd and Zach at the "transfer of ownership"!  Zach is so excited about his new tractor he can hardly contain himself.  So, my plan is to take the PTO clutch from my existing tractor and remove the items that I want to keep from it for Blackbeard.  Then I'll be selling that as a parts or restore...so if any of you who are in close proximity to east central WI are interested all ready PM me.  

My first question is, "What helpful hints do you have for removing and reinstalling and setting up the PTO?"  I want to make sure that I do it right! 

That's one happy little dude! He'll be able to grow up using a WH just like I did!!!

  a/ You post a tire you purchased.

  b/ You post up its actual size after being  mounted and what size wheel it’s on. 
  c/ How many plies? Does it ride soft/hard?

  d/ Obviously we want a picture or three .

  e/ If bought new share where bought and about what they cost.

  f/ Give us your honest opinion. Like em ?Hate em  ? Indifferent  ? 

  g/ If you went with a different size than stock was there any clearance issues? 
 

 Manufacturers info is great but it can be misleading and sometimes not factual. Face it, they just want to sell tires and will say whatever they must to promote their product. This will provide a place to get real world info on tires from our forum members to help you make a decision before you buy. 
  I’m going to pin this so it isn’t lost as I don’t expect it to be posted to daily.