Dave D. 65 #1 Posted September 5 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 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
702854boy 1,103 #2 Posted September 5 What happened to the steering wheel that it looks all melty? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave D. 65 #3 Posted Sunday at 07:20 PM That's the PC-7 I put on where the bakelite was missing. Hoping to sand it back smooth. Dave 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave D. 65 #4 Posted Monday at 06:44 PM Worked on the steering wheel today. Steering wheel is just about done. Dave 5 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave D. 65 #5 Posted Monday at 07:09 PM The hard part is getting the missing part round. Take a lot of hand sanding. Just a little more PC7 in 2 places. Dave 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sqrlgtr 3,713 #6 Posted Monday at 09:44 PM 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. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave D. 65 #7 Posted Monday at 10:14 PM 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 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave D. 65 #8 Posted Thursday at 06:21 PM Progress. Steering Wheel is taking shape. Sanding it round. Now, I just have to sand in the finger grips. Dave 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave D. 65 #9 Posted 2 hours ago Soon, maybe it will be cool enough to flush the trans on the 551. Waiting to re-install the steering box on the Ariens and then back on the 551. Steering bevel gear and shifter collar on order. Gonna look at coating the rusty patina with Flood Penetrol. Dave 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ineedanother 2,806 #10 Posted 2 hours ago 3 minutes ago, Dave D. said: Soon, maybe it will be cool enough to flush the trans on the 551. Waiting to re-install the steering box on the Ariens and then back on the 551. Steering bevel gear and shifter collar on order. Gonna look at coating the rusty patina with Flood Penetrol. Dave Looks great. A couple things...be careful with the penetrol on the decals. Usually fine but I've found that some will lift around the edges. That's very few that I've had and I use it quite a bit. It's a really good treatment for patina so just test it before you give it a full bath. As far as the flush is concerned, you might want to go ahead and see where you can source oil seals. It's not uncommon for old, dry seals to leak after a flush. They're available. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave D. 65 #11 Posted 1 hour ago Thanks, I'll go easy near the decals. I think the trans turns. Seals are a good idea. Dave 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
