Should I save my 1450? At a crossroads :(

[Bob95065]

I bought a basket-case 1450 January 2012 (see http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=29504) I was excited to get it because CCs are very hard to find here in California. What really made it a sweet deal were the attachments, wheel weights and 3 pt.

The tractor was a mess. I went at it and got it functional with a mix of new and used parts (see http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=29556) I took it down to the frame and did the best I could with the budget I set. It aint pretty but it is functional. It does need a few small parts but I run it as-is and it runs great. I'll get to the stuff that it needs with time. The problems it has are more annoying than anything.

The 1450 was a rewarding project and I have a machine that I'll hand down to one of my boys. I know it inside and out and would do it again in a heartbeat. One day when I got on top of the house projects (we bought a basket-case house in 2013 - see a pattern?) I'll tear it back down and paint it. I can't wait.

Like Cadzag I was in Sears with my wife and boys once and we walked through the lawnmower area. She commented on the high price of a Craftsman riding mower and how much less I put into our 1450. I told her that you couldn't do what I was about to do with a 1450. I lifted the back end of the mower off the ground and flexed the frame. The salesman didn't like it but I made my point.

[jaynjeep]

Originally Posted by Sam Mac

$1600 and you can own this 1641. I built it last year for my daughter and SIL. It had a brand new Vanguard, all the seals in the rear where replaced. It has a decent 48" deck. and on and on. I bought them a new Kubota BX so I'll be getting this one back in a week or two.

Sam,

Is that the tractor known as Blackjack? or is that Blackjack's brother or cousin?

[Sam Mac]

Originally Posted by jaynjeep

Sam,

Is that the tractor known as Blackjack? or is that Blackjack's brother or cousin?

Jay

That's Black Jack #1. I built 2 of them. #1 has the new engine and all of the best parts considering it went to my Kid and she is 200 miles away I didn't feel like chasing every minor little issue.

Here are the threads on both.
Black Jack #1
http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=26054

Black Jack #2
http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=26834

To the OP sorry for hi jacking your thread. Bringing one back from the dead is a bit of work and it will never be worth what you put into it but you'll have something that will be running after 3 or 4 of the big box store cheapo's have been sent to the scrap yard.

[yeeter]

As for cost, I will guess restoring the 1450 will be less $$ than building 1200HP twin turbo auto engines.

Relative to other hobbies, I find this one very economical. Cheaper than fancy bicycles. Cheaper than golf. Photography, et al.... the list goes on.

[sbauerz28]

I'm sure the cost to rebuild your 1450 would be less that the cost of the convertor needed to hold 1200 hp.

Isn't 1200whp exceeding the limits of a stock LS aluminum block? I would feel better with a LQ4/LQ9 6.0 cast block.

[rwairforce]

If you like the 1450 for it's characteristics and the new stuff makes you shake your head because of the flimsy, cheap materials and overall low value for the money, then keep your 1450 and fix it to the level that will make you happy.

As others have said, you could spend $100 every weekend golfing and after 12 weeks you would have spent $1200 and have nothing except the joy and aggravation that the golfing provided. $1200 put into the 1450 seems to provide a lot better return, at least in my yellow fever infected mind.

I'm sure that you'll make the correct decision, your wife as already assisted you towards the only acceptable direction. lol!

[USMC_SGT]

Originally Posted by sbauerz28

I'm sure the cost to rebuild your 1450 would be less that the cost of the convertor needed to hold 1200 hp.

Isn't 1200whp exceeding the limits of a stock LS aluminum block? I would feel better with a LQ4/LQ9 6.0 cast block.

It is a 390ci LQ9 block, and believe it or not for now it is a 6 speed car. But yes the twin disk clutch is more than the 1450 would cost to restore. Good thing its not my $ on the car its a close friends, nothing is skimped on. I start the mini-tubs probably this weekend.

Jon

[Sam Mac]

I'd say your more than qualified to restore the 1450. Think when your done with it you'll be glad you did.

[TheSaturnV]

Lots of great advice.

• Take it one stage at a time, no need to order every single thing you think you need until you are actually into it. You will end up with stuff you didn't really need, and will overlook other parts you did need

• Don't be too worried about spare parts. Thousands of Cubs being refurbished out there, and when items go NLA we go used from ebay, repair, find modern substitutes and whatever else it takes

• Even if you do run the tab up to $1500, a quick drive to the Lowe's Depot for a look at the mowers will reassure you that it's the best money you'll spend.

• Start with the easy and less expensive fixes first. I'd do the steering first. A simple rebuild/repack of the gear box, tightening the linkages and new ball joints and your Cub will feel like a brand new machine. Once you fix two or 3 small things, continuing on to engine rebuilds will be an easy call.



Start up a new thread and share your journey.

[USMC_SGT]

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=39747

Well the 1450 may be for sale very soon, found this sweet 2182 and couldnt pass it up....

For now I may just fix the ignition switch on the 1450 and put her up for sale and see what happens. I appreciate all the advice you all had to give....but the dark side is so "easy" sometimes.