engineguy63 238 #1 Posted January 22, 2016 Well , I have been watching for the last few years......just waiting for a RJ too come along, in my area....cheap enough. Well, its actually a 1960 Suburban 400......( so I believe)....so close enough. Its gonna need some work, But basically the engine needs a couple small items, but has spark and a decent looking bore so I think that will be easy. Luckily I have friends that like to work on tractors !!.The tractor itself is not too bad...wrong front wheels, wrong seat, no fuel tank, but overall pretty decent sheet metal, and most big stuff is there....I think! My big issue at this time is the tranny, seams stuck tight! Was told it was free a couple weeks ago, so took a chance on it. I am thinking that maybe the shafts are just stuck in the bushings and hopefully there is no other damage (broken gears or broken shafts etc.) Can any folks chime in as too likely problems.......... are these tranny's known for "locking up"................... .maybe its an easy fix???? Hoping!! THANKS IN ADVANCE!!! 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
woodchuckfarmer 333 #2 Posted January 23, 2016 (edited) Looks great to me. Now you need the tool box and fenders.--Wayne Edited January 23, 2016 by woodchuckfarmer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 60,073 #3 Posted January 23, 2016 Lots of times the transmissions have had bad boots on the shift lever and get a lot of water in them. If it has been setting in an unheated area that would explain the transmission being FROZEN, very literally. Let it thaw out, drain it and flush it out with some diesel, be sure to jack up the front end while draining it. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedRanger 1,469 #4 Posted January 23, 2016 Agree on 953 comments. Based on the looks of the pitted shifter and no boot, I'd bet the trans has water in it and is frozen. That would explain why it moved a couple weeks ago, but not now. Get it inside where it will thaw and see if it then moves. At least flush the trans then. Agree it's a 400. Not sure the seat is wrong, just bolted on wrong and the seat spring is backwards. Belt guards can be had cheap as reproductions. Hood looks nice and straight. Original tires look good. I'd go through the mechanicals and get it running. Then tear it down if you want to restore. Nice project. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,938 #5 Posted January 23, 2016 (edited) That's certainly a nice straight one. You got a great deal. I was pondering the locked transmission and I guess my 45 years in Indiana were forgotten by the 16 years down here. As 953 said, literally frozen up. I agree with Red Ranger on the seat. The spring is backwards and the bolt should be in the center hole. The seat is the correct style and could be original. Don't fret over the holes or no holes. The manual shows the 2510 seat with holes but many say the early ones were solid. Maybe, maybe not but it really doesn't matter. A lot of things like that get said enough that they become 'fact'. In 56 years who's to say what's been replaced. I was 5 years old when my Dad bought a brand new Suburban 400. Here's my thread an the long drawn out restore of one that was actually down here. I should have the final coat of paint on the hood by next weekend and I'll resurrect the post. Here's an idea for your steering wheel. Yours looks like a great one to fix up. Your transmission looks to need seals. They can be done without opening it up. If it frees up with a thaw I would do as mentioned, flush it good and put fresh lube in it and see what you have. They can lock up but looking at your shifter I don't thing the shifter forks/rails are out of wack. Let us know what happens there. Edited January 23, 2016 by Racinbob 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
engineguy63 238 #6 Posted January 23, 2016 WOW, Great site. LOTS of help and advise so quickly!!! Well The tranny is off and going to get dropped off at my friends shop..(heated garage) for a couple days to see what happens. I am hoping the inside of the tranny does not look like the bottom of the gearshift. (heavy pitting) If it free's up, I will have it sloshed out with Kero, to clean it up. Would really like to save it! I have this piece that was attached to the front end....Not sure if it is homemade or some sort of W H weight holder or part of a push plow??? anyway please let me know if you recognize it THANKS!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
woodchuckfarmer 333 #7 Posted January 23, 2016 Snow plow mount Im thinking.--Wayne 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 60,073 #8 Posted January 23, 2016 44 minutes ago, engineguy63 said: part of a push plow??? anyway please let me know if you recognize it THANKS!!! A snow plow, front mounted mower or other front device would be mounted there so they can pivot up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
woodchuckfarmer 333 #9 Posted January 23, 2016 I got the whole thing last summer. It needs a lot of help, but the price was right.--Wayne Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 18,127 #10 Posted January 23, 2016 Nice score on that tractor! Saw that listing and was surprised how long it lasted. Yup, that's a snow/dozer blade bracket. I'm about an hour east and have a blade to fit that if you're interested. You'd be surprised how well these little tractors push snow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
engineguy63 238 #11 Posted January 23, 2016 HEY!! May very well want to take you up on that plow .......let me see if the tranny frees up, if it does, we can do something I am sure. Do you go to the Bernardston show or Orange show or maybe the ZAGRAY show ?? THANKS!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 18,127 #12 Posted January 24, 2016 Always go to Zagray as many times as possible. Always miss the Orange show because it's the same weekend as the big Wheel Horse show in PA and I've been to Bernardston a couple of times and plan to return. Now that you are here on R.S. you'll see threads come up around the time of those shows and others with who is going and what they're bringing. You might want to check out this current thread concerning the trans if you haven't already. @stevasaurus does an excellent job explaining everything about them 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
