Chris 642 #1 Posted February 20, 2014 Had this kicking arround for years. Plan is to get the old girl up & running & put the deck back on & use it for mowing this year I doubt its run for 30 years but will be a beast of a mower when running again Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vegikev 126 #2 Posted February 20, 2014 looks like someones going to busy. will look nice when its done. are you going to do post following your project Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hangman 25 #3 Posted February 20, 2014 be good to see this bolens put back to work good luck with it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neil 524 #4 Posted February 20, 2014 Looks nice N straight , will be a beauty when completed , looking forward to watching this one progress. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 1,900 #5 Posted February 20, 2014 Nice find, look forward to seeing this progress Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris 642 #6 Posted February 20, 2014 Yes will do a project when I start it. Been saying I will get it going for the past 5 years!! All I have done is get the tyres fixed so I can move it Plan will be to get it running & keep it in working clothes. The pic makes it look better than it is. If I had 2 years I could make it like my HT20 3 neil, nylyon and meadowfield reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vegikev 126 #7 Posted February 20, 2014 great picture there chris, look forward to folllowing the new project Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #8 Posted February 20, 2014 Looks like a great project Chris!! There's just something about those Bolens that look tuff, and I'm going to have to own one some day. By the way, that HT20 is amazing! I look forward to seeing your progress. Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WestwoodGazelle 103 #9 Posted February 21, 2014 Looks like a great project! I am always amazed just how robust these tractors were, really built to last! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nigel 1,877 #10 Posted February 21, 2014 nice to see you on here chris, just like old times Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neil 524 #11 Posted February 21, 2014 The HT20 looks awesome , would be a shame to get it dirty Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris 642 #12 Posted February 21, 2014 (edited) Trust me it has got dirty & the paint work is damaged which I may get re painted The pic was when I had just finished the restoration Just look what it was like when I got it!! Very sad & needed some love Hi Nigel!!! Edited February 21, 2014 by Chris Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nylyon 171 #13 Posted February 21, 2014 Chris, that HT20 is a really beautiful machine, hope you don't mind I set it as your picture! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris 642 #14 Posted February 22, 2014 Thanks!! I tried to sort a pic but all of mine are too large file, dont have to worry now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris 642 #15 Posted March 23, 2014 Right, started to pull the 1886 apart today. My plan is to just free it all up & get everything working. Then just oil up the paint work. Its going to be a working tractor, not a show piece The engine is going to come out for an overhaul, it turns but the front cowl is rotted through & had a large mouse nest inside! Lucky I have 2 other dead engines which I can rob some bits off Amazingly most of the nuts & bolts came undone to get some of the larger parts of the tractor apart 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neil 524 #16 Posted March 23, 2014 good luck in getting her going again Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #17 Posted March 23, 2014 Glad to see your getting a start on it. I'll enjoy watching this thread to see if you can really just put it back in working order without doing any painting or things to make her look better. I have a very hard time not painting them. I've started many projects with my intentions only being to get them working again, and before I know it, they're all tore apart, and getting a coat of paint. You do amazing work Chris, so I'm sure it will turn out great! Good Luck! Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ian 2,417 #18 Posted March 24, 2014 I like your plan Chris, oiling the paint rather than replacing it is the way to go Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nigel 1,877 #19 Posted March 24, 2014 paint it chris you know you want to 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #20 Posted March 25, 2014 Don't listen to Ian Chris! We know you like the shinny stuff. Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wallfish 698 #21 Posted March 25, 2014 Amazingly most of the nuts & bolts came undone to get some of the larger parts of the tractor apart There's something about that old school hardware. If that was some newer POS only a couple of years old, you probably would have snapped half of them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris 642 #22 Posted March 25, 2014 Spent an hour on it again tonight & got the engine out. Boy thats a heavy lump!!! The grub screws on the drive shaft came out but that was that, so out with the gas!! Warm up the UJ on the engine end & with a few belts with the hammer it came off. 1st time since 1974 when some guy in the US put it on The engine turns so far then stops So hoping its just a stuck vavle etc. We will see 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris 642 #23 Posted April 1, 2014 Just to say that the engine can be saved with some love. The exaust vavles were stuck hence the engine would not turn over & the bores were full of rusty dirt. I have removed the pistons & found dirt between the rings & a stuck ring. That would not have run for long if I left it!! With a light hone, the bores will be ok. Got the old spark plugs out of the heads using the gas! never had to warm plugs to get them out before Just going through cleaning & checking items now 1 nigel reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris 642 #24 Posted April 13, 2014 Engine slowly going back together now. With the rings freed & light hone its all ok so far. Had to replace an exhaust valve as one was bent. With a good grind in & set up they are working ok also Christ its got some compression now!! The chassis had been steam cleaned & the linkages freed off & oiled up More to follow later Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris 642 #25 Posted April 20, 2014 Got the very heavy engine back in today. My poor back!!! With the parts I have robbed off my spare engines, I hope this should be a good unit. At least with a good cowl on the front, it will now keep cool as thold one had rotted out with the mouse nest! 1 nigel reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
