The 856 a Mechanical Restoration

[Shynon 7,435]

9 hours ago, WHX24 said:

Cindy keeps nagging Dan about her 702 in candy apple! 

How many years has that been now ????

8 hours ago, Achto said:

Then again I could most likely have it painted & back in the shed before you noticed it was gone

[WHX?? 46,675]

5 hours ago, Shynon said:

How many years has that been now ????

[prondzy 3,867]

Well I have decided to wetsand and im happy with the color a little before and after 

I installed a brass flange bushing in the dash for the steering shaft, I am pleased with how tight the steering is now, next step will be ordering a new set of tie rods from WH parts and more.  Here is a couple pics of where I am at so far.

[CasualObserver 3,406]

Nice job Mike, really giving that new life without overdoing it.

[WHX?? 46,675]

20 minutes ago, CasualObserver said:

new life without overdoing it.

Not only that these projects go much faster when there is no painting process. Most of the battle is cleaning years of caked grease off. 

 

10 hours ago, prondzy said:

pleased with how tight the steering is now

I was always thinking a way to spring load the fan gear shaft up against the pinion shaft to keep the fan gear tight meshed tight with the pinion instead of shims on the back end. I also did some bushing work in that area to try and tighten things up more. Also added a zerk to the bottom fan gear pivot. 

 

Looks like that lift is working really nice for ya. 

Edited November 14, 2019 by WHX24

[Pullstart 59,529]

Jim is there a certain reason you’d rather not shim the fan gear?

[prondzy 3,867]

4 hours ago, WHX24 said:

Not only that these projects go much faster when there is no painting process. Most of the battle is cleaning years of caked grease off. 

 

I was always thinking a way to spring load the fan gear shaft up against the pinion shaft to keep the fan gear tight meshed tight with the pinion instead of shims on the back end. I also did some bushing work in that area to try and tighten things up more. Also added a zerk to the bottom fan gear pivot. 

 

Looks like that lift is working really nice for ya. 

Jim where did you get that nice drill vise?

[jebbear 377]

Nice looking project! Just found your post & wanted to pass along that I also have a personal interest as I'm also in the finishing stages of a resto on an 856. Not sure if you found my topic, but I documented a full thread on the highlights (and "lowlights") of my project here https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/topic/73715-my-856-project/ . From what I see, you are addressing all of the wear issues that I also encountered on my 856 . Not sure if I can be of much help since it looks like you already have a good handle on it, but please don't hesitate if I can be of any assistance. As I mentioned, I'm still in the finishing stages on the tractor, and have only finished a few things on the deck but I had to put it all on the back burner for a while due to family obligations. I hope to wrap it all up in the coming months if at all possible. Looking good!!

 

[prondzy 3,867]

So this week after work I just did some wet sanding on the belt guard and hood I also figured out my hood bushings. I left the hood mount alone as far as filling in the wear point

I sanded them down a little to accept a 3/8id 1/2od flange bushing and cut them down to fit the current mount I also had to open the hood mount holes up to 1/2in.

As you can see I also drilled out the pin hole so the bushing stays in place and he hood wears on the bushing instead

 So this is where I have gotten so far 

 

Hoping to clean up the engine or tear apart the trans this weekend or next week.

[prondzy 3,867]

Well I did get the engine cleaned up and replaced both crankshaft seal because they were leaking. No pics yet I need to get a new starter/generator belt first. I did get a few more pieces wet sanded, and even got out to see @wheelhorseman  and pick up some adjustable tierods 

New wheel bearings

And now shes back on her front feet again. hopefully I will get the trans done soon do i can put her back on all 4. 

 

My progress as of tonight:

Edited November 17, 2019 by prondzy

[rjg854 10,707]

Looking good 

[WHX?? 46,675]

On 11/14/2019 at 12:16 PM, prondzy said:

Jim where did you get that nice drill vise?

Dan says the same thing Mike.... hang on to your barstool.... took a lesson from Dan and dumpster picked it ..I kid you not! Some stoney threw it and a bunch of other nice stuff on the metal scrap pile at the shop! Dan's got dibs on it should I perish in a fiery tractor accident! 

[Pullstart 59,529]

One man’s junk... is often still junk!  Nice pick Jim!

[prondzy 3,867]

I havent been liking the amount of slop in the steering shaft to block assembly. Thanks @WHX24 for the idea.Here is why

The steering shaft was worn more that the block so i decided to turn down the shaft and press on a bronze bushing

Super tight now!

i also decided to do the same in the steering wheel end this way they cannot rust together again! 

Fun pic Max (4) decided he wanted to clean in the garage so he started maintenance on the mower deck

[Pullstart 59,529]

So cool!  Good idea of the steering wheel bushing too... what a way to one up Uncle Jim!

[tom2p 2,393]

even better job putting the kid to work on the mower deck 

 

sheesh I missed my opportunity with my kids 

[jebbear 377]

15 hours ago, prondzy said:

The steering shaft was worn more that the block so i decided to turn down the shaft and press on a bronze bushing

I like that idea , looks like you may be on to something here. When I re-bushed mine, I did the bearing in the block assembly, but had some difficulty installing for a good & tight fit. When I do mine again next time  (more likely the guy that comes along after me), I would adopt your idea.

[prondzy 3,867]

Put the motor in today

[ebinmaine 62,936]

Lookin good...

[BenHolcomb 332]

Very nice project. Oddly enough I'm restoring my 856 as we speak also. It's currently in a million pieces getting prepped for fresh paint and engine work. I may pick your brain to request specific pics when it comes time for reassembly. 

[ebinmaine 62,936]

8 hours ago, BenHolcomb said:

Very nice project. Oddly enough I'm restoring my 856 as we speak also. It's currently in a million pieces getting prepped for fresh paint and engine work. I may pick your brain to request specific pics when it comes time for reassembly. 

Please do start your own thread in the restoration section.

We love to see other's works in progress. 

 

Ask all the questions you can come up with.

 

And as always..  post lots of pics !!!!

 

 

[prondzy 3,867]

Today i decided to tear down the transmission figuring i would find 53 years of dirt and carnage. So after i persuaded the hitch pin out with my air hammer i split open the case and boy was i surprised!

This has to be the cleanest transmission I have ever taken apart. It still had the original gasket.

The capped bearing on the 11/44 gear was the only bad bearing i found so i  replaced it along with the two outer axle bearings and all the case seals as well as wash the case halves

Here is everything going back together

And all buttoned up ready to bolt back on tomorrow i will get some gear lube.

[WHX?? 46,675]

Real nice Mike ... I'll just post this here so some know what they can look like when opened. A three piece I opened  awhile  back and I expected to be trashed was quite nice. Opening trannies are like a box of chocolates. .....you never know what you are gonna get!

[oliver2-44 8,832]

14 hours ago, WHX24 said:

Opening trannies are like a box of chocolates. .....you never know what you are gonna get!

Great chocolate comparison.
Boy, I sure have opened some chocolate ones

[ebinmaine 62,936]

5 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

Great chocolate comparison.
Boy, I sure have opened some chocolate ones

Now that's just mean.

I'm hungry.

 

Wait. Now I'm more hungry.

 

Them gears really do look good enough to munch on.