Not International Red, but close

[jimbob200521]

I present to you, the first GT I ever drove. This has been in the family since my father bought it new in 1969. It taught my brother to drive, as well as myself (first time I drove it alone, I ran it smack dab into a tree! ). It was, for a long time, the only tractor my parents had when that young, daring couple bought their farm many, many years ago. It's plowed them out blizzards, mowed acre's upon acre's of grass, towed cars, hauled a lot of heavy loads, and I'm sure a lot more. However, after my dad got bigger and more capable machines, this fell to the wayside when it quit running. Long story short, it quit running on my dad about 20 years ago, and has been sitting in the corner of a barn ever since. Lately, he's been asking me if I can get it going for him since he has neither the time, space in the shop, nor the patience. Needless to say, I said yes, and yesterday I finally got around to picking it up. It just so happens, I also just bought the trailer it's being hauled on yesterday, too, and I needed an excuse to use it!

Anywho, I made a little progress on it last night. Got the carb off and opened up. Luckily, it was totally out of gas so the tank won't need cleaned, but the carb will definitely need rebuilt, there was a little gas in the bottom of the bowl that is now beyond gel. Also got some tin off (no mouse nests!!! ) and the head removed. It wasn't as bad as I though it'd be. I started cleaning the head and top end of the engine up (which, btw, spins freely) and called it quits from there. I need to order/get a couple parts (carb rebuild kit, head gasket, new head bolts, new fuel line, some wire to replace all the major electrical connections, etc) and hopefully get some more stuff removed from it. I still need to change the oil, get a new plug, change the tranny fluid/filter, and a lot more, but I'm hopeful it'll live to work another day!

Hope you guys enjoyed this, and if anyone is interested, let me know; if so, I'll be sure to update this thread with more pics and info as I go along. Have a good day, guys!

[jimbob200521]

Brother in the pic was in town for the send off

[darkminion_17]

Originally Posted by jimbob200521

Brother in the pic was in town for the send off

Nice hood ornament...yours seems to older than the one I had as it has the woodgrain decals.
I had a charger 10 wheel horse,the hydro lift was pretty cool.No creep on the tranny either.
Do I see a full restore in the future?

[cubcadet]

Very nice guys.

[Alvy]

Yes, both very nice. Love the old barns too. What's the story with the additional side lights?

[jimbob200521]

Originally Posted by darkminion_17

Nice hood ornament...yours seems to older than the one I had as it has the woodgrain decals.
I had a charger 10 wheel horse,the hydro lift was pretty cool.No creep on the tranny either.
Do I see a full restore in the future?

Nice pics of the Wheel Horse I always found it interesting how they run the pulleys for there deck. As for a full restore, all that's on the docket right now is get it running. My father has new decals and a couple other things for it, he's going to do a quick restoration when he gets it back, just clean the basics up. I wish he would go all the way, though, it'd be neat to bring the old girl all the way back. Who knows, maybe one day I'll end up with it and get the chance to restore.

Originally Posted by cubcadet

Very nice guys.

Thanks!!

Originally Posted by Alvy

Yes, both very nice. Love the old barns too. What's the story with the additional side lights?

Not too much, or very interesting, of a story. Since he used that tractor for everything, everything often kept him out after dark. When it snowed, or he was mowing, or whatever the case may be, I guess he felt the stock lights weren't enough so he added those. He also added a rear light to it, as well.

[ACecil]

Nice WH, Ryan! Please keep us updated.

[Cubcrazy]

Nice WH Ryan!