JD 730 restoring in small steps at a time

[TheBartman47]

Video of first start after reassembling the governor and connecting the newly installed tachometer gauge (new gauge from Evergreen Restoration Inc.)

 

[used red MN]

A pro once refinished some tractor hood panels for me no charge as a favor. He sanded all the old paint off first, and used good quality paint, not the cheap stuff that you get at a tractor dealer. They looked very good when he was done, but there were a few pits. Within two years the paint was bubbled up at those pits, and then the rust came through.

Late to the party, I haven’t repainted a tractor so this is grain of salt stuff, I am surprised no one recommended rust converter. I have worked on some rust on the bodies of my daily drivers and used it seems to do at least something, I don’t know if it is a miracle cure or not. Painting over bare metal without a primer seems risky to me but I am no pro by any means. Hopefully the “green underwear” paint pulls through for you and you’re happy with it 10 years down the road if you intend to keep it that long. No question that it definitely looks better than it did!

 

[showcrop]

Late to the party, I haven’t repainted a tractor so this is grain of salt stuff, I am surprised no one recommended rust converter. I have worked on some rust on the bodies of my daily drivers and used it seems to do at least something, I don’t know if it is a miracle cure or not. Painting over bare metal without a primer seems risky to me but I am no pro by any means. Hopefully the “green underwear” paint pulls through for you and you’re happy with it 10 years down the road if you intend to keep it that long. No question that it definitely looks better than it did!

Another rust return story: A good friend was "restoring" an MG midget. He brushed on the top name brand expensive rust converter to the whole car, everywhere. It is opaque black. Two years later he had tiny rust bubbles ALL over it. With the cheap, clear, phosphoric acid that I use I almost immediately see the residual rust turn black, where bare good steel stays as it was. I also leave viable paint. Any place that showed black I go back a few minuers later and brush again more aggressively. this insures good penetration. I have used this on many projects for probably over twenty years, with excellent long term results.

 

[TheBartman47]

Got some more painting done... cleaned up the insides of what I guess you could call a carburetor, not sure if that's the right thing to call it on an LP fueler. Lots of gunk inside, first time it's ever been apart since put together at the factory 70+ years ago. Put a new propane converter on since the old one was leaking antifreeze into the intake. The new one has a primer button while the old one didn't. I wired up a button on the dash to activate it, or it can be pressed by hand.

 

[matthies]

Kind of surprised that you can get a new century converter, good to know.

 

[TheBartman47]

I got it all back together now, first time start after installing the new converter and putting the air cleaner back together. So far, no leaks from the oil bath bowl.

 

[38 Sears Roebuck]

Wow! Sounds good I haven't heard one of those running one propane before. Just a safety suggestion always be in the seat when you start any tractor.

 

[maqbill]

It all takes time and patience.

Money does help!

 

[TheBartman47]

Wow! Sounds good I haven't heard one of those running one propane before. Just a safety suggestion always be in the seat when you start any tractor.

Many old tractors you had to start them standing on the ground, turning the flywheel by hand. I always park it in neutral with the hand-clutch engaged and the brakes locked.