Phoenix - 1975 Sears Suburban ST/16

Seems inflation is rampant. I bought some pipe fittings for another project and spent 50 bucks on 10 bucks worth of stuff. An item I ordered on Amazon last week is now $25 more than it was when I bought it. Paint? Insane.

Sometimes the napas have spray paint, but I don’t know what brand. May not be the same as “hardware store” spray paint. Edit: autozone does but they are pricey, bout $9-10 dollars a can. But probably would be in stock I think.

Looking good as always! When you get going on something you REALLY get going on it and make alot of progress quickly!

Brianator wrote:

Looking good as always! When you get going on something you REALLY get going on it and make alot of progress quickly!

I do seem to do things like that.  I take advantage of good back days, which I am happy are more numerous than bad these days!  Much of the tractor that is left has been primered.  I still lack the rear light plate, mule and front axle.  I still need to break it down and clean it.  I also need to start planning redoing my drag links and steering link.  I hope to replace with heims and get rid of the ball joints.

Photo dump of all my primed pieces...  I still lack the foot boards, pulley cover and the mule.  If needed I do have black for the mower mounts.  My beige to finish the primed pieces will arrive tomorrow, but my paint window this week has closed up.  Been in the 70's most of this week, but tomorrow will only be in the low 40's.  Bit cold even for the garage to paint.   Looks like about Weds it will be back close to 70 again. 

I’m envious of the warm temperatures. It has been cold here and I’m lazy. The combination means no progress. Near zero last night and very cold for a while. Brrr...

Snow and cold here but I'm still painting, I use a small propane salamander to heat the workshed. When it comes to parts I can't get inside I take the heater out to warm the metal and dry the paint, it helps I use quick drying paint too I suppose! Lol

I was able to get the garage up to 61, kept the paint cans in the house when not in use.  I did get the rear fenders and a few other parts painted today.

It's going to be close to having enough paint.  I also realized I may have to re drop the trans due to a carriage bolt I forgot to put in that connects the right fender.  Ugh...  Better now than later.  I'll see If I can get it in without removing the trans.  Maybe I can pop the trans pulley off to put it in.

The forgotten bolt.  This is from my rebuild images.  Ugh.... skipped a step.  It's a carriage bolt for belt clearance.



Fresh parts...




Now I can possibly get it back to roller state.

Parts on order still...

• Fuel pump since I will be using the tractor tank
  
• a fuel filter.
  

Glad I got the garage warm enough.  Duplicolor applies pretty well!!

Well, I have half a tractor now.  LOL!

Just trying to conjure up the energy to start putting the front on.  I'm off the rest of the year so I have plenty of time.  Maybe later today.  I get a power rush around 7-8.  I might do it then.

Yep, got a power rush about 6:30...  Got a bit busy on the ol' tractor.  It's a roller again.  I went ahead and put the old steering links on for now so I can roll it around.  They got about a good year left in them, but I do what to change them really soon.  Sad news, the jack on my engine hoist is getting weak.  Have to look into that.

I had another bit of energy burst and put the mower hangers back on.

What I still need to paint beige:

• Footboards
  
• side panels
  
• battery tray.
  
• IF still enough, the engine shroud.  
  

I should have just enough to finish?

Other parts to paint still to be worked.
Almond color:

• Dash
  
• hood
  

Semi-gloss Black

• Grill expanded metal upper nosecone.  Lower is complete.
  

I'll install the engine last.  I need to remove the fuel tank from the engine.  It will no longer be needed for this tractor.  Maybe for a future project.  Finish re-wiring.  Install the fuel pump since it will no longer be gravity fed.

I would also like to change the rear lamp bulb with an LED replacement.  I also need to check the ammeter to be sure it is OK.  Get a new one if needed, and a new battery.

Those rears are pretty nice looking...

that beige is different i like it! never seen a beige tractor its pretty nice lookin. still gotta figure out what color my GT will be when i get ready to paint it up

The color was a bit browner than I originally wanted but I ended up liking it myself.  I will not have enough beige.  I need one more can.  I do have plenty of the almond for the lighter parts.  Lowes was full of paint.

I need to start working on the foot boards soon.

That's almost like a desert tan. Lighter slightly I guess but I like it.

I'm liking the color! Don't take her out to the sand dunes though! Lol

The color is DupliColor Cummins Beige.

I like that color a LOT. We tease about painting things ‘dirt colored’ and that is the color of the dirt here.

Now for a little wiring, get the dash painted, then on.   I think the engine may be after that.?

Belly side of the tractor work is done until I get the mower deck reconditioned.  Belt is installed on the transaxle and the guide is in place. It's coming along.  My last can of beige should be here next Tuesday, but with Christmas and all there would be little time to work anyway.  I have a few wires to recreate.  I will need the engine in place to finish up the wiring.  I'll need to move the drain tube to the low side (under the starter) as opposed to the front side (under the head) where it is now. Diode path confirmed for the charging circuit.  I need to test that out as well once running.  Fuel line is in place.  May need a 1/4 to 3/16 adapter for the fuel line.

My 1/4 to 3/16 adapter was taking the 3/16 fuel line and heating it up with a bit of propane, slid on there real nice, you might not even need a clamp.

TechnoChicken wrote:

My 1/4 to 3/16 adapter was taking the 3/16 fuel line and heating it up with a bit of propane, slid on there real nice, you might not even need a clamp.

Good to know.  

Some progress today.  I went ahead and dropped in the engine and put the lower grill back in, and in the factory location.

Are those tires newer?

Nah.. I've had those fronts now for almost 7 years and they have been on the tractor since my original restomod.  They are trailer tires so they don't seem to wear at all.

From Feb 2015 wrote:

Rear tires I have had a little over a year.  They used to be on my Li'l Red tractor.

Early 2021 wrote:

I did some more progress today.  I just lack the pulse line for my fuel pump.  I had the wrong barbed adapter.  I'll get that in a few days.  I did get the wiring done. I just need to get the dash painted and new dash sticker to complete that part of the tractor.  I have the shroud off in prep to clean and primer.