Huber light four update

Maybe some of you saw the light four when I posted about it last year, but I figured it was about time for an update.
We finally got the old girl home early last fall and worked on dismantling it through the fall and all winter. Through the past weeks we started repairing the wheels and FINALLY have them at a decent condition. We paid to have the 3/8"x10" steel rolled out to the same diameter as the original wheels and cut the old wheel so we could weld the two together. The spokes are 3/4" round-stock.
I'm nowhere near good at welding, but this was a perfect opportunity to practice, and I think they'll hold up fairly well (so no judgment lol)
The next step is to resurface and restore the cosmetics.
My grandfather says that body putty will not stay in the holes/pits and larger holes that are all over the wheel, and will begin chipping/flaking in a few years. Thinks the metal will expand in the heat, breaking the contact between the putty and metal.
Does newer body putty have different characteristics compared to the putty from 20-40 years ago?

anyways, just figured this all is a good conversation starter. Enjoy!
And stay healthy!
Elijah

Beautiful beginning. DEVCON, OR J.B. Weld will do a marvelous job. Both are epoxy based materials and have a solid
relationship with iron/steel. Jim

I agree with the Devcon or JB Weld. Just remember that it doesn't adhere to rust and that the tiniest particle of rust left down in a pit will grow and pop the filler out.

If I understand the topic correctly, depending in the size of the hole or imperfections....... I sometimes slightly over weld the area then use a die grinder
with abrasive wheel to smooth out the area. That'll last till the cows come home.

wow what a job. those wheels will look great. weld or braze the holes. thanks for the update. Updates with pictures are great
motivators for us with projects waiting in the shop. Thanks gobble

You sir, are a true craftsman !

Just a short update. Finally got the wheels and bull gears assembled and painted. Amazing how heavy a steel wheel can be.
Have a great evening,
Elijah

(quoted from post at 18:38:32 06/13/20) Just a short update. Finally got the wheels and bull gears assembled and painted. Amazing how heavy a steel wheel can be.
Have a great evening,
Elijah

Click to expand...

That looks great! What did you end up doing to keep rust from bubbling out of the rust pits?

I filled some of the really large holes with weld, but grandfather got tired of having them sit in the basement, so we just ground surface rust off really well, wire brushed, wiped off with mineral spirits, and primer/painted them.
And to be honest, it would have taken months to get them perfect. We probably put at least 20 full hours into each wheel.

Another update. Cleaned up the transmission and got it primered/painted. Also set the differential/pinion gear shaft and rear axle on the frame so we could drill holes to mount them. That differential is so neat in the way that its built inside of the gears for the transmission.

Do you fellows enjoy these updates?

Elijah

By all means keep the updates coming. I enjoy watching your progress.

Finally got the frame all cleaned up, primer, and painted. Was debating whether or not to get it sandblasted but I think a grinder and a wire brush wheel on a drill do just as good a job. And it saved about 500 bucks lol.
Also cleaned up and painted the rear axle but forgot to get a picture. Once we get the front wheels back from the machine shop, we'll be ready for a rolling chassis + transmission.
Next step is to rebuild the engine. I'm eager to give it a shot just for the experience, but both grandfathers are hesitant and they're rubbing off on me. Whats a rough appraisal for having a 102 year old engine rebuilt that there are no detailed manuals for? (there is a manual with some detail, but its barely enough to complete a rebuild.) I've tossed around the idea of having it rebuilt, but the cost scares me too. For now, its going to stay under cover. Might try to loosen up valves and clean out threads of holes.

Have a good day fellas.

Don't forget that when your tractor was built that the modern methods of design and machining were not yet available so tolerances were very forgiving.

All very interesting! Keep up the fine work.. Engine rebuild? I wager that you can not find a shop that will take the job.