1961 Suburban 551 Rescue

[Dave D. 51]

I thought that I would start a thread of this little tractor.

Got a trailer hitch so I can pull it out of the container. Got some C-clips to secure the front wheels.

Searching for a shift lever and now I'm working on the steering wheel.

 

As it gets cooler, I'll get more done on this project. Gonna be a long term project.

Thinking I'll flush the trans with diesel fuel and put Penetrol on the tractor for the patina.

Looking at engine options. Liking the idea of a diesel or Predator just to get it going.

More progress to come. Thanks for all the information and advice. The PC-7 will need more coats.

 

Dave

 

Dave

[702854boy 1,091]

What happened to the steering wheel that it looks all melty?

[Dave D. 51]

That's the PC-7 I put on where the bakelite was missing. Hoping to sand it back smooth.

 

Dave

[Dave D. 51]

Worked on the steering wheel today.

 

 

Steering wheel is just about done.

 

Dave

[Dave D. 51]

 The hard part is getting the missing part round. Take a lot of hand sanding.

Just a little more PC7 in 2 places.

 

Dave

[sqrlgtr 3,693]

2 hours ago, Dave D. said:

 The hard part is getting the missing part round. Take a lot of hand sanding.

Just a little more PC7 in 2 places.

 

Dave

@Dave D. Just wondering how much time do you have to give the PC-7 epoxy before you can start shaping it? I would like to have a few of the wheels Ive thrown away over the years, could've probably  saved them but had no idea about trying anything like this, heck there may not have been anything like PC-7 back then though . BTW looking good and will be following along with interest. A 551 burb is what got me started in this endeavor some 35/40 yrs ago and I still have it.

[Dave D. 51]

22 minutes ago, sqrlgtr said:

@Dave D. Just wondering how much time do you have to give the PC-7 epoxy before you can start shaping it? I would like to have a few of the wheels Ive thrown away over the years, could've probably  saved them but had no idea about trying anything like this, heck there may not have been anything like PC-7 back then though . BTW looking good and will be following along with interest. A 551 burb is wha grt got me started in this endeavor some 35/40 yrs ago and I still have it.

That's a good question. I left the PC-7 to dry overnight. I feel like doing bodywork with Bondo, if you caught it earlier, it would sand faster. I used 80 grit on a DA sander to somewhat shape it first. Then I used 180 grit not staying in one place too long. The hard part was the area where there was no bakelite at all. It was built up so thick that it took a lot of hand sanding.

Now, about 2 small places on the bottom and one low spot I still need to put some more PC-7 on. This will be hand sanded since it won't be so thick. Then, adhesion promoter and flexible primer and I'll spray on the Rust Oleum truck bed liner.

 

 

Dave