BPjunk 184 #1 Posted May 2, 2008 Well with the '500' SPECIAL raffle prize tractor almost done ( still little things to do) I now need to work on my '500' SPECIAL to get it restored for the Wheel Horse Show. Now I started taking the tractor apart yesterday on April 30th and figuring counting today I have 48 days to complete the restoration. This seems like a lot of time to complete the job BUT ..... when you have every day problems to deal with, plus getting other things ready for the show, then there is 5 shows I will be attending before the Wheel Horse Show (one is out of state), rainy days that I can't work out side, getting the parts painted and the fact that I still need to find a set of rear tires for my '500' SPECIAL ..... most likely I have only 8 days to get the tractor restored. I'm just wondering ..... Do ya'll think I can restore this '500' SPECIAL in time for the 10th Annual Wheel Horse Show????? Bill in Richmond, Va. Attached Image Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,033 #2 Posted May 2, 2008 Looks to be in good shape and all there, those are the hard parts to over come . now if you don't go too bed for the next week you should be good How far are you tearing it down? Post pic's as you go Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BPjunk 184 #3 Posted May 2, 2008 Kelly, At this point all the sheet metal and engine are removed from the frame, the frame has been left as a rolling chassie so I can take it down to work for a steam cleaning. All parts will be sand blasted. Both the hood and fender pan got a lesson in dent removel last night. There will be some cheatin' going on with this restoration as I went through boxes of NOS parts to replace some items so I don't have clean/polish/paint/touch up quite as much. Bill in Richmond, Va. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 23,170 #4 Posted May 3, 2008 Just git yerself all hopped up on Mountain Dew and just never go to bed . That'll get it done. Mike........... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BPjunk 184 #5 Posted May 3, 2008 Just git yerself all hopped up on Mountain Dew and just never go to bed . That'll get it done. Mike........... AND jus' how do you think the raffle prize '500' SPECIAL got finished???? Bill in Richmond, Va. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BPjunk 184 #6 Posted May 3, 2008 Todays Restoration Report The rolling chassie was taken to work today for a bath with the steam cleaner .... now I need a bath! Next came the sand blasting .... all was going good until ... yeah lifes little problems cropped up. I was getting quite a bit of moisture coming out of the sand blast gun ...... yeah yeah I live in the south and humidity is a fact of life down here BUT the sand blast gun should not squirt water out like a water pistol! A trip to Lowes for a new dryer and oil to give the compressor a oil change. And now that the compressor has been serviced I'm too tired to do any more sand blasting. We will see what tomorrow brings. Bill in Richmond, Va Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BPjunk 184 #7 Posted May 12, 2008 '500' SPECIAL Restoration Progress Report OK a part 1 and 2 Part 1 The list of things I did get done. Sand blast parts (a) hood ( panel for shifter Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KyBlue 655 #8 Posted May 13, 2008 Moving right along aint ya?/? Ive got a soda blaster on order, cant wait till it comes in... of course I'll have to setup a way to capture the baking soda material, as its a bit more expensive than sand, but supposed to be alot better on sheet metal items and such. Keep us posted!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rocking 416 1 #9 Posted May 13, 2008 you sound like me bill rushing to get tractor done before the show dont ya just love the va rain an cold days we been having? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rocking 416 1 #11 Posted May 13, 2008 well u guys think i can have it ready for the show ?? i think i can get the mechinal part done i need a seat, im not sure about the cosmetics Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 23,170 #12 Posted May 13, 2008 Yes you can have it ready. And dont worry about cosmetics as there are plenty of trusty/rusty Wheel Horses at the show. Mike.......... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rocking 416 1 #13 Posted May 13, 2008 yea va is haven messed up weather tho its like 50's now with rain an windy i need a nice weekend Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CHARGER9AUTO 3 #14 Posted May 13, 2008 Yes you can have it ready. And dont worry about cosmetics as there are plenty of trusty/rusty Wheel Horses at the show. Mike.......... Hey Mike, I will have my '79 C-121 AUTOMATIC - '73 8 HP 4-Speed at the show . Ben............... > is ready for next month SHOW TIME ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BPjunk 184 #15 Posted May 14, 2008 Well more engine work today. 5/13/08 Got the H-60's block cleaned up and washed out the crankcase with diesel fuel. Every thing seem to be going OK ....... until I tried to remove the broken bolt at the exhaust port. Even after soaking in PB Blaster the steel bolt was seized tight in the aluminum block. Time to get the drill bits out, after getting a centered hole up to 3/16th in diameter a easy out was used ........ AND failed as the easy out ... yup broke off in the hole. Tomorrow I will purchase some better drill bits to get the rest of the old bolt out. Other items that got taken care of are masking off the decals and VIN plate with tape so they don't get painted. Bill in Richmond, Va. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kj4kicks 154 #16 Posted May 14, 2008 If the easy-out is broken off in the hole, you're about to have a REALLY bad day! Best bet would be to try to tig weld something to the top of it to get it out. In doing so, you may get the bolt out with it. A little ray of sunshine on a cloudy day..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BPjunk 184 #17 Posted May 16, 2008 Work Done 5/15/08 Well it was a break even catch up day ..... well ok I'm still 2 days behind as finaly after 3 days I did get the broken bolt out of the block at the exhaust port. It took a 1/4 inch die grinder bit to grind down past the end of the broken easy out and then drill out the rest of the bolt. And the die grinder slipped a few times so a 5/16th Heilicoil had to be installed .... not a productive day but we are back in the race again.! I did order a correct type muffler with the "sheild" Wheel Horse used for the models using the H-60 engine. This sheild pointed the exhaust out to the side instead of in front of the tractor. The front pointed muffler would actuly have enough force from the speed of the tractor that air will go back into the muffler and cause the engine to vapor lock. A sheild was added to divert the exhaust and block the air. Bill in Richmond, Va. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BPjunk 184 #18 Posted May 23, 2008 OKkkkkkkk 5/22/08 I did have some things scheaduled that put off work on the '500' SPECIAL. Well on the 16th the trailer was loaded up for Pennsylvania to deliver the raffle prize '500' SPECIAL and some fun time at the Little Guys Show. BUT even while I was at the Little Guys Show work got done on my '500' SPECIAL as ELDON delivered me a set of rear tires from DUSTIN for the tractor. ALL RIGHT BILL ... just how does this qualify as work getting done???? Well ya' see I needed a good set of tires for the '500' SPECIAL and now I have some good tires so this is one less thing I gotta do. (Thanks Guys) Well some more sand blasting of parts did get done but as things go some thing went wrong again. It seems one of the tractors part was broken and this was not found out until after is was sand blasted .... arggghh wasted time! Go out to the mini barn and get another and sand blast it. AND I did not do too well trying to straighten out the fins on the cylinder head as one broke OUCH! With a three day weekend is coming up so a lot of work will get done. Bill in Richmond, Va. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kj4kicks 154 #19 Posted May 23, 2008 Hi Bill, Glad I could help, even if I was only the messenger. Can't wait to see the next 500 done ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TT-(Moderator) 1,162 #20 Posted May 23, 2008 With a three day weekend is coming up so a lot of work will get done. I can't think of a better way to spend a holiday weekend. Good Luck, Bill! :whistle: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BPjunk 184 #21 Posted May 28, 2008 5/27/08 Still ain't done sand *^^$&* BLASTIN' .... but I'm getting closer. Found the front axle pin broken on monday and found a NOS part on the shelf, today I found the right tie rod bar the ball came out of the socket and it had been repaired before PLUS the spindle looks like a dog had used it for a chew toy! (TT yer bull dog know any thing 'bout this????) On a good note today I lined up a guy who wil paint the '500' SPECIAL and I hope the muffler with deflector shows up on my door step this week. OK OK so I have not put many pictures in this post ..... so here's a picture of the H-60 with the broken stud in the exhaust port. Wild Bill in Richmond, Va. Attached Image Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TT-(Moderator) 1,162 #22 Posted May 28, 2008 the spindle looks like a dog had used it for a chew toy! (TT yer bull dog know any thing 'bout this????) Pretty good possibility, Bill -- especially if it has traces of peanut butter on it, then it was probably Mack. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
