Re: Re: Opinions Solicited
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Posted by Steamer on July 08, 1998 at 13:42:34:
In Reply to: Re: Opinions Solicited posted by big fred on July 08, 1998 at 07:50:45:
I agree with the sentiment. However, I've found that so many of these machines have been run for so long that they NEED a complete overhaul before they'll run anywhere near well again. At that point, one might as well clean up and paint everything, and replace or rebuild everything all at once. That's the point that a fix-up becomes a restoration. I don't get too carried away with having 'perfect' sheet metal either. I straighten it out fairly well, and paint it. If I were to make a machine into a show tractor, I'd re-do the sheet metal at the body shop to make it as nice as I could. I have a JD 430W sitting in line that need this kind of attention. It burns oil at 1/4 the rate of the fuel (dang, it still runs well, though). There are some noises in the gearbox that calls for a good look. While I'm in there, I'll replace the shaft couplers and clutch parts and all the seals. Once I get done with all that, I need to paint it to keep it from rusting. I might as well paint it the right colors (I like JD green and yellow, anyway). This is the only way this machine will be a good runner again. It does have ALL of the bits still in the right places, too. On the other hand, my dad's old 420 crawler simply needs a new valve cover gasket, the crud cleaned out of the carb, and a full coat of paint (much of it is long gone). the seals and lines to the blade cylinders all need replacing, too. Other than that, it's a really good running machine. I can't see tearing all apart to put paint in places where no one can see it! I guess this one won't be a restoration. I plan on taking the crawler to shows, since I rarely see any, and have never seen one equipped like this one was (it's still the way it was ordered from Deere in 1958). The 430W will be used with a blade, rake, crane, mower, etc. It will never see a show as long as I own it. Oh, go ahead and paint your machine blue! THEN take it to a show to inject a little reality into folks.... :-)
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