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New van is finally here. Still hard to believe the condition this thing is in. On top of that previous owner had the whole thing detailed, replaced a taillight that had a scratch in it, took it to his mechanic to ensure all fluids were OK, and drove it to my house and insisted that I drive it and inspect it again and if I was not happy he would give me my deposit back. I cant believe my luck. Those of you who own one of these vans will definitely appreciate the condition of this thing for a 2007. There are a few blemishes on photos but it is some crud in the lens of my camera. The only body damage!One little nick! I don't think anyone has EVER been on passenger side. Springs still have factory tags Fluids are totally clear.

Craigslist score! I've been looking for one and this showed up less than 5 miles from home. It's been used maybe a half dozen times, only twice by the previous owner. Its complete with the flag and chute handle and 2 belts. Is got nice pan no dents and good life in the shoes.

If All Of You Didnt See This Or Heard About It Here You Go I Know I Gonna Bring My 500 Speical To It Because That Baiscally Right In My Backyard Lol

Just chiming in to follow Jeb & say keep up the nice work! . Really like your bushing ideas & great minds think alike. May have to go start a "fun with bushings" thread! Here are some more bushing ideas to take care of well worn holes. . I do have the tightest steering 1067 on the block! Apologize if I got a little pic heavy!

@19richie66 Looks like you were trying to draw a mouse. I wish I could be the on Wednesday but I can't . Will be at the Fair Grounds on Thursday afternoon. Wear your mouse ears and I will look you up. I 'll have on a white tee shirt blue jeans red suspenders and a gut. Forgot the dumb look on my face.

Can’t make any promises but on friday I plan on being somewhere on the blue line. If you see me stop me and say hey.

Well i best get the shop cleaned up before you all think i'm full of it ?

I'm rebuilding a Sundstrand #90-1136 that came out of my 1974 WH B-100. I Found this company www.novahydraulics.com that has the entire rebuild kit PN / 99890. It shipped quick too. Gordy is the man you want to talk to regarding Sundstrand units. Good hunting all.

Great job on the cleaning and organizing! Enjoy your success because chances are that when you tear into that “C”, things will get a little messy again! you have me thinking about my music setup in the shop. I think I might have to wire something up. I’ve been cheating (or wimping out) and using my phone a a Bluetooth speaker... As Tim Taylor was so fond of saying, it’s time for “More Power!” I would like to see what you guys have done for your sound systems. BRF probably has a 1980’s BoomBox on the wall rocking his favorite cassette’s

Jebbear Thanks for sharing this rebuild with all us miserably crabby forum members here at RedSquare. I as many others look forward to many posts and pictures of your progress. I am fortunate to have a 50 year old commando 8 with the rear discharge deck and am amazed at how hard it works for me. There are many benefits to becoming a support member here and one of them is that all support members who are registered on my website rec. a 15% discount off all items in my store. But here is the kicker, If you decide to become a paid support member I have a complete set of 856 decals that I will for this project if you pm me your address. Again thank you for sharing and I look forward to watching you get the 856 ready for another 50 years of hard work.

I 2nd that motion LOL I have a old 8 track out of a 68 Camaro RS, playn The James Gang Rides Again LOL

Great pix WHX14, and great ideas! Funny you should post this right now, because I just now came up from the shop cleaning up a lot of the other little linkages/shafts and things that I plan on adding bushings so I can get an order ready. That "fun with bushings" thread sounds like a great idea! That goes right along with what the Sarge has been saying about fixing up all of these old parts and keeping them running. Agree whole-heartedly that there are only so many left and most of the used parts are as bad or worse than some of us are working with. BTW, that is a neat vise/clamping system for the steering block. That is one of the locations that I plan on adding a bushing this time around which I did not do on the prior rebuild. I only bushed the hole where the fan gear shaft went through, which wallowed out again & will need redone. Wish I could fix my fan gear like you did Sarge, cause my teeth also have a fair amount of wear, but I don't have a tig and probably couldn't use it if I did! I only have an old stick welder and acetylene torches but I never considered myself a welder, I only stick metal together and sometimes it actually holds! WHX14, did you have to cut down some of the axle casting thickness where the center pivot pin went through to allow for the extra flange thicknesses between the frame supports? I want to do something very similar, but the existing would need trimmed to accept the flanges on the inside. My old fan gear, block, and wallowed out bushing... .

I'm booked, so the little lady and I should be there Wednesday.

Here's a few pix just to keep you all updated of where I'm at. Since I kind of got a late start with this thread and tore into it before I brought you guys along for the ride, here's a couple more "before" pictures. I think I mentioned in an earlier thread a couple of months ago, that initially the starter gave out on me, which was kind of the catalyst to get me into restoring her to her full glory. This first one is when I rolled her into the corner of the garage and parked her after that happened. A couple "befores" of the engine that was crying for me to work on... So I began... Here is the block after the machine shop work and a fresh coat of paint. I included this picture as a subject for discussion. I might hear a lot of negative feedback about this and I would have probably been right there with you before I started, but here's the issue. The engine rebuild kit that I got was one of the Stens aftermarket kits from ebay which I hesitantly bought, but they all seem to get good reviews so I thought I would try it. The engine required a .020 oversize piston and a .010 undersize rod. The kit came and I was well pleased with the apparent quality of the parts. What I didn't like was the head gasket that they gave me which was more of a flexible gasket and didn't have the metal 'fire ring' along the inner perimeter. I checked at all of my local sources and no one had a genuine Kohler and even the NAPA store told me they would have to order one which would probably also be an aftermarket. After a little research, I read on Brian Miller's site that there is no problem re-using an old head gasket if there was no damage as they did this with aircraft engines all the time in WWII. Mine seemed to be in great condition so I followed his instruction, cleaned up the old, gave it a shot of the Permatex Copper spray and this is what it looks like. My Dad also told me that he thought it was changed once not too many years ago so it is not the original. So go ahead and blast me guys, I'll be the guinea pig and give it a try. Hopefully worse case is it blows out and if that happens, then I'll go looking again for the real thing. We'll see how it goes, if it goes south I'll sure let you all know. Here is the completed engine. I don't have the tins or air cleaner shell on yet as I may decide to paint them with the same paint that I use on the tractor and install at that time. Still need to find and install a new spark plug wire as the boot is cracked on this one. If anyone is interested, I used Duplicolor Universal Red Engine Paint rattle cans for the engine and will be using Dupont 7410 (International Harvester IH-50) Nason Single stage urethane for the tractor. Paint seems to be a controversial subject here but I did a few paint comparisons of my own earlier which I will post my findings/opinions at a later date. Which brings me pretty much up to date with where I am at now. Here are a couple of the frame during tear down. Oh, by the way, pay no attention to that "green bucket" you see in the background of the last pic. I just got here and don't want you guys throwing me out before I get started! These last ones are more of what I have been discussing recently. First one shows the wear in the paint (which I didn't notice on initial teardown) where the axle pivot pin had been rotating due to the lost bolt. The other ones are the front axle and a close-up of the old bronze bearings that I installed 31+ years ago. I think Sarge has me on the right track for the rebuild this time around, so I'll have to get an order ready for McMaster-Carr and begin the long task of fixing things.

@Big_Red_Fred You are not right in the head.

Once in a while I will haul a truckload of stuff away, just to make room to set a pail on the floor. I have a hard time getting rid of my treasures. Great job cleaning up your shop Eric!

nice 50 degrees Sunday to take her out on a cruise !

Saw my old 90 210H on CL today. I bought it new. Got an Allis Chalmers blower after the Super Storm in 93 and made it fit. This little guy was tough. all I ever did to it was a diode and a tie rod. Moved lots of snow with it. I'm not linking the ad because of rules but here is the pic from the ad I sold it about 6 yrs. ago.

Im going to try and see it all. I don’t have any mouse ears but I’ll see if I can find some. I figure I can check out the fine rides I have seen on here, hang out with as many as possible and then hopefully make the cruise for a couple of laps. Really just want to put some names with faces, shake some hands and tell a lot of of you “thanks for the help, advice and just all around great fellowship” on here.

I'll be set up by Porta Pottys

Who ... @Achto ??? ...he's in never never land or margaritaville on any given day...once in awhile he's located on the captain's ship as well!! !

I'm in, reservation is made! See y'all on Wednesday evening!

HAPPY 69th BIRTHDAY DAVE .... eat lots of and !

You know what they say..... all show and no go

You took it out of the closet? Make sure you put your special goo on that belt too. Makes it last just like the tires. Lol How did you steer while out crusin around?

Lots of respect! I know how long it takes to put a tractor together like that and the money and attention to detail that it takes to be competitive. It sounds like that makes lots of horsepower judging by the video. Excellent work! How many first place trophies do you have?

I'm sure glad I don't have one of those darn ol loaders. They don't seem like they would be good for a person.......I be so stuck in the seat you'd never get me off of it

Just to chime in that ramming snow piles isn’t the only thing that breaks frames... There’s no doubt that ramming things with the snow plow is cause for concern to the transaxle mounting plate, but I’ve parted out several tractors - especially 520h’s - that had broken and torn plates and which showed no signs of ever being wearing a plow. Worst break I ever saw was on a 312h that only ever mowed and carried a front mount generator. That tractor was held together only by the sheet metal tunnel and belt guard and the owner was none the wiser. Sometimes the welds let go. Sometimes the four little bolts work their way through the plate. Sometimes the plate cracks (as pictured )and rips apart...That’s what happened on the 312. The Combined weight of engine, implement, and - to a lesser extent - operator are conspiring at all times to break that plate over every bump. The 60” mower in particular is a killer...combine that with a hefty operator and you got the recipe for trouble my friends, right here in river city. Of course, you won’t be hanging a 60-incher under your oldie. Wheel Horse reinforced the mounting plate somewhere along the line, and even sold a reinforcement plate to help in that area. The D-series and 5xi’s went to full-length frames to get rid of the problem for good. That said, the vast majority of these tractors never suffer a broken frame...so if you drive your tractor like a reasonable person there’s not many tasks you should be afraid to put up against it. Like others have said, you’ll usually run out of traction before you can do any real damage. Although I do recall the legendary Dale from MI ballasted a tractor so heavily that he broke an axle... Work it as hard as you dare. They were built to mostly take it. Steve

I got here late and I am amazed at the change. I worked several days collecting and sorting 1200 lbs of scrap in my shop....My before and after look exactly the same.

OK guys, you convinced me. Notice that a "Supporter" logo just appeared by my member ID!

Hi all! Finally got around to starting this makeover on my 856. A little background on this tractor (1966 model - don't want to tell my age but you guys do the math), when I was a youngster at about 12 years of age, my neighbor bought this tractor brand new to maintain about 8 acres of property. I was intrigued and amazed at this machine as any 12 year old kid would be. So everytime I would see him out mowing, I would run over to his yard and he would let me mow for him (I know, he was probably a lot wiser than I was), just so I could ride around the yard on this sleek machine. I guess it was a win - win for both of us. Anyway, long story short and fast forward several decades, I ended up purchasing his entire estate after his passing, and guess what came with it. Anyway, after a gazillion hours between the original owner and myself, mowing and hauling and plowing snow, along with my dad maintaining a garden with it for years, I decided it was time to try and give her a new lease on life. She still ran OK, but I could tell she was getting a little tired and cantankerous in her old age and like any fine lady wanted to look young and pristine again. She has always been a true and reliable "work horse", which is what I still have in mind to this day. So that brings me to today, and here I am. I have pretty much completed the engine rebuild (which some of you guys have already provided some assistance in another thread) and have started into the tractor and chassis. This is actually the second go around with this machine, as I kind of did a rebuild back in 1986, just replacing some of the worn out stuff and giving her a quick shot of new paint. To reiterate, I couldn't even begin to estimate how many hours are on this beauty which I have no doubt is staggering, but I refuse to let her go. Anyway, that all being said, I am certain to have a bunch of questions for this undertaking which I am sure you guys have seen many times over and thank you all in advance for any assistance that you can provide. I guess I am limited as to how many pictures that I can post, but I will try to put a few up along the way. This is how she looked before I started.

Have a great day @daveoman1966

Great looking van!!

You have yourself a dandy new van!

Hope he remembers the choker too.

I'm guilty as charged - I've beat that poor 1277 to a pulp since the first day I drug it's tired carcass home, she's always been a worker and sure shows it badly. Frame has been repaired 2 times, this time the whole rear section has to be changed out - and it will get beefed enough not to happen again, ever. I do like the full-frame design on the D's - that was the way they all should have been built but it is amazing what they will do before giving up. Mine has pulled so much weight it's actually broken brand new belts - that bad rap that the Sundstrands got was never deserved, mine was as solid as they get and still is despite a lot of hard abuse - it shows no signs of slowing down either and I'm not afraid to put it right back to heavy work once I repair the frame. I wish they would have better addressed both the pump coupling and rear axles in those D's - they would have been an ultimate machine that could embarrass even the best of today's offerings. Honestly, I don't think there's any reason not to work an old Horse - it's all easily repaired and documented all over the place so anyone can tackle it given some effort. I love a well-restored tractor as much as anyone - but if they take up residence here they are gonna get worked - and mostly likely worked pretty hard... Sarge

Happy Birthday Dave, we are all glad you were born.

these pics are worth more than several thousand words

1/24/2018. 4:30AM to 5:30AM scraped driveway, and snow blow banks. 32 degrees. 1/2 gallon gas.

That's just the sort of thing I have been thinking about Sarge, I need to do some research and work out sizes as space is limited to say the least. Thanks Pullstart, yeah the exhaust does have that "2 stroke" kinda look to it. A good start had been made on the left side with the suspension mount strengthening.. When I put the TB in I had to cut a bit of tube out, so back in it went.. A close up. The captive nut is for the TB side mount. Only a couple of small plates to go in at the bottom and a lot of welds to grind down.. To try and keep things in order here's the latest video.. Enjoy To finish off the strengthening on the left side I needed a couple of small plates to go at the bottom. Due to the small size of the holding them in place just wasn't going to work without setting fire to my fingers, so I welded a couple of small off-cuts to the plates to act as temporary handles. Plates tacked in place.. Once the plates had been fully welded on the time had come to tackle a job that thus so far had caused me lot's of head scratching.... Removing the rear diff/final drive thingy.. The right side already had a removable plate.. The left side didn't, but if I could make it removable them I might stand a chance of getting the rear end out.. HHmmm... Some nice welds to cut through! But before I started cutting metal a template was needed! Ok, I needed the bit's marked F and R but the off-cut in the middle is a funky shape This was part of the Quadzilla front end.. some cutting needed but it's just the right thickness for what I need. Here's the plate cut out of the frame and the extra couple of bit's of steel which will make the plate removable.. With all the parts bolted back on some tack welds were added. Back on the bench the now removable plate was clamped around some box and a bit of angle to hold it all square while I zapped the joins up.. Don't think it will be moving now Now to try and get the rear end out.... Eeerrrr! Ummmm! Until eventually I was left with this open space... Which was only possible once I had cut this bit of tube out the frame... Another bit to make removable! The rear end on the bench.. Rob picked up a wire brush and started to attack it to see what it would come up like Not bad but I fear some mechanical cleaning help is needed..... Now where did I put those wire brush cup thingys that go in the drill???

Smitty’s lawn and garden supply. Bethalto, IL

ah another great use for flir, recently bought a CAT S60 smartphone which has flir on it too. great for seeing which beer in the fridge is the coldest

Chances are you have carburetor issues. I would try running some Sea Foam through it. If that doesn't help, replace the carb. $12-15 on Ebay. Cheaper than rebuilding and "plug and play".

Finally had a chance to mount the 42" blade l refurbished on the 753. 753 is still a work in progress, but it will be a great addition to the work crew.

Wish it looked like that now Chris. Got the pulley replaced and needs a good detailing before the lake opens this spring. Also need to see if I can get the rear lift pin out to install one of Lowell's hitches. Hoping to find a good lawn sweep for it. Just put your account in the rs supporter group and next time you log in you will see the prices are 15% lower for any future orders. Also if you have any issues at all with the decals let me know asap so I can take care of any issues. If you make it to the BIG Show we are in the 4-H barn.

Now You too are a miserable, crabby, don't help with anything, rude member of this rotten bunch of people forum. I bet just in the short time you were here , you couldn't believe how bad it was and that's why you joined. That's what happened to me!!! Now you'll see just what I saw when I joined... Welcome aboard, and Congratulations on the "RED" listing. Don't tell anybody I said this , but its one of the best forums I've ever been involved not to mention how cool the tractors are. Very much look forward to your restoration and any information it provides to help when I do mine. The biggest problem I see on the horizon is matching talent with these guys. Chris, PS. Vinylguy's tractor looks really rough doesn't it.... ...(I don't have that good a paint job on my car for god sakes)

Thanks so much for your offer. I guess I should have started this project last month because believe it or not, back in December I already purchased from you a complete set of decals including Kohler items for the tractor. I know I probably put the cart before the "Horse" by buying these first, but I made the purchase up front as an added incentive to proceed and convince myself that I can make her look new again! I will consider the support member anyway, thanks again.

Got the trans all cleaned up. Knocked out the bearings and bushings, axle bushings had little wear. Mushroom gear and diff gear a little worn. Smoothed them out a little with a file as they are going back in.

here is mine i restored. i just have 10w-30 in it and it and it runs great,just plain 30 would be great aswell. i think i used just plain 90 weight gear oil or some sort of gear box oil for the transmission. the Manuel for it should tell you about anything you need to know or if that doesn't help then i might be able to help. i love my a-100 i drive it everywhere and pull my wagon with it.