701 Hood and Belt Guard Repairs

[Suburban 550 28]

As many of you know when I bought my 701 the hood was cut and hinged and the belt guard was chopped, with the front mounting tab and belt guide missing. I tried to keep the repairs to a minimum and still have that patina look, but it is a question of where to stop. This weekend I had a little time on my hands and ended doing a little more than I intended. Hope you enjoy.

Pics of what I started with (hinged hood)

Hood mig welded back together and slots in rear of hood repaired

Went a little overboard and decided to remove all the dents and totally strip all the paint. Pictures are of the hood stripped with the decals still in tact and all the repair areas feathered in with body filler. The decals were later removed

After a final sanding 2 light coats of Dupont Etch primer was applied to the bare metal for a good adhesion

Next 3 coats of high build primer was applied to take care of any small imperfections

On to the belt guard and what it looked like before I started

Front mounting tab, belt guide and missing chunk out of bottom of guard all welded back on and stripped down to bare metal

All dents are removed and repair areas are feathered in with body filler

After finishing sanding etch primer is applied to bare metal on both sides

And finally the high build primer applied

Last thing was the replacement gas tank. The holes where the hood bolts on were messed up in the old tank and fortunately I had another good tank. Got that prepped also.

Now the next question is where I go from here. I got a little more involved than I wanted to but the hood, belt guard and gas tank just needed to be done to make it look presentable. I have the complete set of decals for it but didn't plan on doing a complete paint job on it. Any suggestions ???

[dclarke 4,011]

Man, you sure do nice work Ray. I think I'd have to do the whole tractor but that's just me, I'm sure whatever you do it's going to look GOOD. The belt guard on my 701 doesn't have the tab sticking out the front at the bottom, do you know if it's supposed to? Nice work! :thumbs:

[sorekiwi 761]

Very nice work Ray!

But now you've opened that can of worms - I have no idea how you are going to get it closed!!

My prediction is that the rest of the tractor will be in pieces by the end of the week...

[Suburban 550 28]

Mike, my thoughts exactly about the can of worms. An all original, good runnin' 701 like that doesn't show up often and that is the way I wanted to keep it pretty much as it was. But you know in life there are somethings that just eat at you and you just have to do something about it. You and Denny are probably right about redoing the whole tractor over which seems like the right thing to do at this time unless someone invents that rustic looking patina finish before I start rippin' the rest of it apart. Denny, as far as the belt guide tab at the end of the belt guard, I asked the same question on this forum with no reply from anyone. Duke sent me a picture of an original belt guard off his 701 which had the tab on it. I've also seen the belt guides bolted on the motor which mine had neither. Which one is correct, I still don't know the answer. All I know mine wouldn't shift without it, so that is the way I went.

[dclarke 4,011]

Ray, on the belt guard tab, I may add that to mine. I'm sure it has to help.

[sorekiwi 761]

unless someone invents that rustic looking patina finish before I start rippin' the rest of it apart.

Not sure how you could apply this to bodywork, but here is an interesting article, written by a guy who restores antique engines. It is technique on how he makes the new parts look old.

http://www.rustyiron.com/Articles/antiquefinish.html

And another by the same guy where he uses electrolysis backwards - putting shiny new parts in the tank to make them rusty!!

http://www.rustyiron.com/Articles/reverseelectroly.html

Personally, over the last year or so, I have really started to go off the shiny red tractor look. I've become a huge fan of the unrestored tractor!

[Suburban 550 28]

unless someone invents that rustic looking patina finish before I start rippin' the rest of it apart.

Not sure how you could apply this to bodywork, but here is an interesting article, written by a guy who restores antique engines. It is technique on how he makes the new parts look old.

http://www.rustyiron...iquefinish.html

And another by the same guy where he uses electrolysis backwards - putting shiny new parts in the tank to make them rusty!!

http://www.rustyiron...eelectroly.html

Personally, over the last year or so, I have really started to go off the shiny red tractor look. I've become a huge fan of the unrestored tractor!

Very interesting, Mike. I'll have to try that, but not on the hood, belt guard or the gas tank yet, but something old I have layin' around. Thanks

[buckrancher 2,673]

total strip and repaint Ray

you know you want too

Brian

[Suburban 550 28]

total strip and repaint Ray

you know you want too

Brian

Brian, if I did something else for a livin' it would be alot easier to do. You can ask me to help you build a house, but don't ask me to do body work after hours. No wonder why you see a plumbers pipes leakin' in their own houses and a carpenters siding fallin' off, it just becomes overwhelming and I have to force myself to do it. As crazy as it may sound, it's the truth.

[AMC RULES 36,941]

Looks great so far! At this stage though, I'd vote for the total resto as well.

[Kelly 1,028]

I here you on the doing body work after doing it all day at work, I feel the same way, BUT, that would be a nice tractor to restore, or I'll trade you a belt guard and hood in nice orig. shape with bumps and scratches for those ready to paint ones :hide:

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,034]

Ray,

You do wonderful body/paint work. When I saw you looking at that tractor I knew it would end up going down this road.....

[can whlvr 991]

since you asked for opinions i think you are in so far that you may as well do the whole machine,it will be worth it when she looks better than new,nice work too,go for it

[Suburban 550 28]

I here you on the doing body work after doing it all day at work, I feel the same way, BUT, that would be a nice tractor to restore, or I'll trade you a belt guard and hood in nice orig. shape with bumps and scratches for those ready to paint ones

Glad it's not only me that feels that way about body work, Kelly. Seems like you have a 701 restoration project in your future plans. Thanks Don, Steve and Craig for your advice and compliments. A total restoration at this point seems like the way to go. The shop I work at now uses Sikkens paint which I have never used before. I talked with our painter yesterday and he made me an offer I just couldn't refuse. He told me to get everything prepped and bring it to the shop and he would paint it with a Sikkens single stage polyurethane paint similar to Dupont Imron which is supposed to hold up really well. All our wreckers and rollbacks are painted with it and still look good after many years in the weather. For now I will take the hood, belt guard, and gas tank and wet sand them with 600 grit , recoat with Sikkens Color Build primer wet sand again with 600 grit and since we have our own mixing system, try to find an International Harvester red or a color close to it and paint all three pieces. After that it's up to me to find the time to tear it down and get everything ready. This will be the first restoration I haven't painted myself, but things could change.

[dclarke 4,011]

Glad to hear it Ray, work your magic buddy! :thumbs:

[Jake Kuhn 1,547]

It looks great! :bow-blue:

[MikesRJ 552]

Keep going Sluggo. I wish I had the time. Great work. :angry-banghead:

[kpinnc 10,686]

Ray, I have a 701 hood and a RJ hood that needs your attention....

That really is some great work!

[Suburban 550 28]

Mike, I wish I had the time, also. Between running my wife to doctors, hearings and therapy, my hours have been limited. Kevin, soon as I retire, send me your hoods. Good to see you posting again. Tractor is all back together with all the repaired pieces still in primer and for now I will put temporary decals back on and paint the lettering on the hood and that will be it for now. I hate to rip it all apart and not have it ready for the big show in June. I will be posting some updated pictures in the near future.

[AMC RULES 36,941]

Looks awesome so far, can't wait for another pict update/progress report. :banana-wrench: