Blue wheel horse?

[blewryano 1]

Hi. Im very new to the community and very new to these incredibly awesome tractors. Hopefully my inexperience doesn't make me look dumb, but i have found this 654 Wheel Horse. I plan on going to look at it this weekend if its still available. My biggest question is, why is it blue? To me, it looks like a fun project but I dont want to get elbow deep into something that isn't, or perhaps never was. Thanks!

[Sparky-(Admin) 25,528]

 

  Originally it was red, someone has slapped that blue on it for unkown reasons. Easily made red again though. 

[AlexR 2,985]

Can keep it blue too if you are fond of it.

Only rule is no john deere green.

But Red really is the best color for a tractor. 

If you rattle can it, the common color a lot of us use is Rust-Oleum Regal Red, can also use IH red. 

[oliver2-44 11,515]

[kpinnc 18,383]

2 hours ago, AlexR said:

Only rule is no john deere green.

 

 

3 hours ago, blewryano said:

I plan on going to look at it this weekend if its still available.

 

Wrong color but it looks better than most I've found. It most definitely can be brought back to whatever level you want it to be. Like the blue? Service it up and run it. Wanna make it look better than the day it left the dealer? All up to you. Saving them and using them is what we all like to do. 

[ri702bill 12,225]

5 hours ago, kpinnc said:

 

 

 

Wrong color but it looks better than most I've found. It most definitely can be brought back to whatever level you want it to be. Like the blue? Service it up and run it. Wanna make it look better than the day it left the dealer? All up to you. Saving them and using them is what we all like to do. 

That too....

[SylvanLakeWH 31,520]

[Retired Wrencher 6,722]

 It is yours to do whatever you want as long as you don’t paint it green they say here that is a big no-no. Just my two shots. Good luck with the project. Ooo If you’re handy and you have access to a sandblaster to take the paint off. You can start new. Bring it back to original color. This is always been a big debate, but I use rust oleum regal red. I’ve heard that this is a very close match. Also international red may be the truest match.

[Achto 31,898]

 

If the price is right, I'd bring it home with me. Get it operational first, decide on the paint color later. 

[Easton Rich 1,249]

Or leave it and call it The Smurf

[953 nut 66,538]

     Blue, red or yellow, the important part is to enjoy it.      Here is a link to manuals on the 654.  https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/search/?q=654&quick=1&type=downloads_file&nodes=7       and the 1964 sales brochure       https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/search/?&q=1964 sales&type=downloads_file&nodes=29&search_and_or=and&sortby=relevancy

 

Enjoy the ride and feel free to ask any questions you may have.

[WHX?? 56,839]

Looks like The Big Unit @ebinmaine owned it ... 

[ebinmaine 79,113]

9 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Looks like The Big Unit @ebinmaine owned it ... 

 

 

Nothing like that happening here brother man.

That's too close to Ford blue and I refuse to paint anything the same color as another brand.

Even the red white and blue Patriot Horse I did a few years ago had a lean in towards teal.

[Handy Don 16,751]

I dunno. I don’t see any red showing through at scratches or wear spots. That was either a very meticulous previous owner paint job or it was a factory special.

 

Seeing the engine in white is a hint that it isn't original although it does look (from here) like it might at least be period correct for an original Lausen/Tecumseh 6hp. Note that the 604 was recoil start and the 654 was electric start. The frame has a battery holder just behind the engine so likely 654 but this is a recoil-only engine. The only functional differences between the two were the starter plus the associated battery, switch, and wiring. 

 

Like others said above. If you’ve a mind to do it, jump in. Come back anytime with questions and share what you learn!

Edited yesterday at 04:48 PM by Handy Don

[Treepep 1,135]

Just the red in the 654

[Handy Don 16,751]

6 minutes ago, Treepep said:

Just the red in the 654

Standard decal!

 

[Retired Wrencher 6,722]

21 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

 

Nothing like that happening here brother man.

That's too close to Ford blue and I refuse to paint anything the same color as another brand.

Even the red white and blue Patriot Horse I did a few years ago had a lean in towards teal.

That came out well Erick. I still have the picks of both of them you and Trina brought down a few springs a go.

[ebinmaine 79,113]

9 minutes ago, Retired Wrencher said:

That came out well Erick. I still have the picks of both of them you and Trina brought down a few springs a go.

 

 

That's my 1975 C160 Automatic painted a slightly brighter red than stock color. And of course Trina's Military Tribute Tractor. 

 

We are only going to one show this year. Jim's in september. I'm hoping to bring six tractors there.

[Retired Wrencher 6,722]

1 minute ago, ebinmaine said:

 

 

That's my 1975 C160 Automatic painted a slightly brighter red than stock color. And of course Trina's Military Tribute Tractor. 

 

We are only going to one show this year. Jim's in september. I'm hoping to bring six tractors there.

I hope you have a good time buddy. 

[Easton Rich 1,249]

@ebinmaine What color is that?

[ebinmaine 79,113]

5 minutes ago, Easton Rich said:

@ebinmaine What color is that?

 

 

That's Rust-O-leum 2X Apple Red Gloss.

[rmaynard 17,215]

22 hours ago, Handy Don said:

Standard decal!

 

Wheel Horse original decals were white letter/numbers on clear. That's the original red color showing through. 

According to all the history I have read, Wheel Horse never used any color other than red. I have seen blue, green, yellow, and orange. However, when my dealer was still in business, he told me that a dealer would have a tractor painted any color that a customer wanted as long as it was for a municipality and in quantities of more than one. All painting was done locally.

 

Very nice looking tractor. I hope you get it.