JPWH 6,351 #1 Posted April 20, 2015 I have been wanting an 854 and seen this ad on cl and it was close so... I took a little road trip to look at it and four hours later I was home with this in my pickup. Now I have to decide whether to leave as is, part out or restore. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coadster32 793 #2 Posted April 20, 2015 4hour drive to part it out...not gonna make much if any thing on it. Better to save it...besides, you wanted a 854 anyhow. I saved mine, and am very happy with it. Good luck either way. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,196 #3 Posted April 20, 2015 Nice score... save that Horse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muz123 1,192 #4 Posted April 20, 2015 Nice score, Save it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,925 #5 Posted April 20, 2015 A very desirable model. I'm with the save it guys. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motor12 367 #6 Posted April 20, 2015 Save it, it's one of the more desirable models. Plus its the last of the round hoods.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,744 #7 Posted April 20, 2015 And you got a sweeper too! Save 'em! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,277 #8 Posted April 20, 2015 I vote to save it...it is not in too bad of shape. I love the seat. LOL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1978c81 385 #9 Posted April 20, 2015 SAVE IT.This my 854. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 59,923 #10 Posted April 20, 2015 Considering the fact that it is very complete and not too bad looking I would get it running and see about getting a good seat and drive it as is. Survivors are very popular now and you could always do a restoration in the future. That lawn sweeper is a keeper, needs some TLC, but they are hard to find. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelHorse79 271 #11 Posted April 20, 2015 Please save it. I saved the 854 in my avatar, and it was a labor of love. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Firpo701 407 #12 Posted April 21, 2015 Save, save, save!!! Lol. Gotta love those round hoods! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JPWH 6,351 #13 Posted April 21, 2015 I had a little time to look it over good this afternoon. I couldn't look too much yesterday because it was raining something awful and there was tornado warnings where I was. I figured I couldn't go wrong for a hundred bucks so I paid the man and watched him and his buddy load it and I proceeded to get ahead of the storm.Now that I look at it the transmission is locked or rusted up the spark plug is missing and the motor wont turn. The motor tins are rotten and the hood needs some repair. The mower deck won't turn and the wheels on the leaf sweeper won't roll. All considering I am real fortunate to find an 854 of any condition in Ga. I think maybe with a little pb blaster, blood sweat and tears, a little guidance from some of you experts, anything is possible. I don't have some of the tools that would make it easy but I have enough to make it interesting. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JPWH 6,351 #14 Posted April 21, 2015 I vote to save it...it is not in too bad of shape. I love the seat. LOL Me too! I'm thinking red seat with black backrest and paint the frame almond. lol 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JPWH 6,351 #15 Posted April 21, 2015 OK all joking aside thanks everybody for your encouragement. I am going to restore this little guy. It will take a while because I will do it as a fill in while restoring my raider 12. I have a motor being rebuilt for it now The fill in will be waiting for my son to finish the motor. He has a small engine shop and i am not exactly first priority. Lol.I will give him a month then remind him of my upcoming birthday. The upside is he also saves me alot on parts. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JPWH 6,351 #16 Posted April 21, 2015 4hour drive to part it out...not gonna make much if any thing on it. Better to save it...besides, you wanted a 854 anyhow. I saved mine, and am very happy with it. Good luck either way. Thanks. I was wanting to restore but was not sure if i was reaching for the stars. You and others here have convinced me to proceed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JPWH 6,351 #17 Posted April 21, 2015 Considering the fact that it is very complete and not too bad looking I would get it running and see about getting a good seat and drive it as is. Survivors are very popular now and you could always do a restoration in the future. That lawn sweeper is a keeper, needs some TLC, but they are hard to find. Whats wrong with the seat? Lol its too far gone ti use as is. I probably could but would fear damaging it more. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JPWH 6,351 #18 Posted April 21, 2015 Please save it. I saved the 854 in my avatar, and it was a labor of love. I'm going to save it but I think it will be a labor of blood sweat and tears. And maybe a few new tools. ?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
papaglide 542 #19 Posted April 22, 2015 Great to hear that you are going to save her! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motor12 367 #20 Posted April 22, 2015 I am also glad you are going to save her. things like a frozen trans or stuck motor are easy to reactivity. I just rebuilt the trans on my RJ58 and it is something you can do with basic tools and the manual that can be downloaded from this site. The 854 trans isn't much different. As you can see my avatar photo is an 854. She was in tough shape when I started and lots of fun to restore. For every one we save I'm sure there are 25 more that just rust away. good luck, and post photos of your project. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JPWH 6,351 #21 Posted May 5, 2015 (edited) Any suggestions how to repair this or is it too far gone? Edited May 5, 2015 by Hank01 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JPWH 6,351 #22 Posted May 5, 2015 (edited) Any suggestions how to repair this or is it too far gone? I can cut and weld the flat area but not sure about the raised portion of the circle. Edited May 5, 2015 by Hank01 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmsgaffer 2,053 #23 Posted May 5, 2015 I don't think the generator belt guards are too hard to find for the 854 (unlike the 701), so I don't think they are very expensive. I do know that I would have no way of doing that without finding a real experienced metal fabricator, so I would just look for a replacement. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,277 #24 Posted May 5, 2015 Glad to see you are diving in. I have a suggestion on the trans that you could do and it will not take too much time. Drain the trans. Fill with diesel fuel (take off the seat and fill through the holes in the top of the trans). Fill it up to the top (between 1/2 and 1 gallon) and let it sit until you are ready to open it up. Make sure you put like one of those turkey, tin foil pans under the trans..a large one. The seals are probably dried and the diesel may leak out. That's OK...just dump what drips out back in. This will help to loosen things up if everything is rusted...and it will stop the rusting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slovinski 42 #25 Posted May 7, 2015 The 854's are just plain cool. Thanks for saving it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites