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WD45 restoration to a working tractor

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Vic Lovejoy

07-23-2002 22:46:20




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As I've done more work on the WD45 with help from folks here on the AC discussion group, I'm becoming more and more serious about restoring it as a working tractor. It's a '54 WD45 with a narrow front end and a 3-point conversion. For mowing the pasture, pulling a manure spreader, and hopefully in the future, running a post hole digger and tiller, it's just right for us.

The nose piece (whatever it's called) and the grille have some damage I'd like to repair. There are some dents in the metal and holes in the wire mesh of the grille. I'm pretty good at metalworking (one of my only mechanical skills up to now) but I can't figure out how to get the grille and sheet metal assembly off the tractor. The hood is off. I don't really want to remove the radiator if I can avoid it, but I do need to replace the wire mesh grille on both sides, and reshape the sheet metal. The repair manual I purchased for the tractor says "the method or radiator removal is self evident upon examining the radiator"...uh, not to me! Is there a way to get the sheet metal and grille off without removing the radiator?

Also, there is a leak at the lower radiator hose right where it connects to the water pump. Is there a way to replace that hose without removing the water pump? Again the repair manual says the best method to renew the hose is to remove the pump. It doesn't look like a big deal to remove the pump, but once again I'm hoping not to disturb anything I don't have to disturb.

My local Agco dealer has got Persian Orange spray paint in cans. Is that a suitable way to paint a tractor that will just be used around our small farm (not in parades) and still have it look pretty good? There's no budget for sending parts off to be done - it'll be me and the grinding wheel and a wire wheel for the drill to get the surfaces ready to paint.

Well that's enough questions for now - heaven knows that the more I work on it the more questions I come up with. I'm excited about working on the tractor but still seem to run into dead ends, like trying to get the sheet metal and grille off the front of the tractor.

Any advice or insights on restoring a working tractor would be very helpful.

vic

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LH

07-24-2002 09:27:10




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 Re: WD45 restoration to a working tractor in reply to Vic Lovejoy, 07-23-2002 22:46:20  
third party image

Here is a pic of the WD 45 I just bought last week. When I originally saw the tracto it was in the rough, and the previous owner decided to paint it before delivering it to me. The paint job was done with a combination of spray cans, and brushed on Persian orange. It's not show quality but for our use around the place I think it looks pretty darned good.

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Jim in Michigan

07-24-2002 05:34:52




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 Re: WD45 restoration to a working tractor in reply to Vic Lovejoy, 07-23-2002 22:46:20  
JMS/MN is right on about removing the sheet metal, but I do not agree with him about the paint, I have done two tractors with spray cans and 2 with brushed on paint, I use them for myself and they all look great. BUt it will actually cost you more by using spray cans then if you bought a gallon of paint and rented a sprayer, at least thats how it is here. I am also working on a WD45 so if I can help e mail me,,,,,Jim

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JMS/MN

07-24-2002 00:24:23




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 Re: WD45 restoration to a working tractor in reply to Vic Lovejoy, 07-23-2002 22:46:20  
You should be able to remove the grille by removing the two 1/2" radiator bolts inside the channel frame- need a 3/4 inch socket, and a swivel socket adapter is handy. Reach inside the channel frame from underneath to locate the two bolts. Also need to remove the front bolt on the generator/alternator? Maybe a bolt on the right side of the radiator that holds the curved sheet metal? This normally comes off with radiator removal, but you could remove these parts, and then rebolt the radiator with the two 1/2 inch bolts in the channel frame. The hose can be replaced without removing the water pump. There is no reason to remove the pump, just to replace the hose. Loosen the hose clamps, break the seal of the hose to the radiator and the pump with a screwdriver, and twist it away from both parts. As far as painting- spray cans do not do a good job, but if you just want to stop rust, they might be ok.

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