70D Project: Special moment....

We have ignition and the clock is operating ! April 19, 2002, 9:50 pm., 116 days since the last time old #7033924 fired in anger.

The tach needs re-glassed, and maybe cleaned, but if you look real close you'll see the engine running at about 975 rpm.

I could not resist the urge any longer, so I put an extra jack stand and floor jack under her belly, fueled her up, bled her out, let her crank on compression for awhile, and advanced the throttle just off the stop, and she took off without fanfare. Not even a miss or a cough.

Ran like it had always been together. No slobber, no smoke, no mises or snorts. No water leaks, no power steering leaks, just one small fuel leak coming out of the filter assembly that I need to seal up tomorrow. I ran it cautiously at first, moved the speeds up and down, got it close to warming up to operating temp, and always kept one eye on the oil pressure (stayed between "M" and "H"; closer to "H"). Perhaps tomorrow I'll be able to get it to warm up so I can re-torque the head. But that's no hurry, becuase I just want to get it mobile on all four wheels so I can pull it out in the fresh air and let it run for a few hours.

I'm pretty tired now, and there's still a lot to do (like wiring, tank sending unit, generator rework, finish sheet metal, right rear wheel assembly, lights, finish clean and prep, final paint, decals) so it's too early to say she's done.

It's been a long time coming, but I wanted all of my friends on this board to know how much I really appreciated all the support and encouragement. If I tried to list all the names of those who cheered me on or sent information, I'd be certain to leave someone out, and besides you all know who you are. I received personal e-mail advice, diagrams, dimensions, suppler recommendations, templates, parts, and notes that said someone was inspired to start on their tractor because they saw someone else work their way through a project like this.

I met a ton of very nice folks here and at Rummy's.

I'll try and continue my photo journal as the refurb continues to completion, and hope to work it into an article for one of the magazines if they're interested, but for now, thanks again to everyone.

Frank-in-Tallahassee
One runnin' 70D // 855

Congratulations!!! I fully expect to see you at the Florida Flywheeler's Fall Fuelup in November. Heck, you should be able to drive your 70D down to Fort Meade for that event - shouldn't take you more than 3 or 4 days.

Seriously, I hope to see you at a show somewhere in Florida.

Stan

I don't have a trailer, so she's going to have to stay pretty close to home. Please do keep me informed of the shows in greater Florida/Georgia because I've only been down here since '94, and haven't paid attention to where the good events might be.

Thanks.

Frank-in-Tallahassee
70D // 855

Been there, done that on the trailer thing!! Still there, come to think of it.

If you'll drop me an e-mail I'll send you info on the various (few, unfortunately) shows. I'm on the road until May 1, so send me a message after that.

Thanks,

Stan