1946 B.F. Avery Model A Tractor Restoration

[IronCanine]

She's finally a runner....and don't worry I'm not going to leave those ugly clamps on the top radiator hose. I've got some wire ones that just need a bit of paint:

http://vimeo.com/290059752

[mongocanfly]

MAN....that thing sounds so SWEET...!!!!....congrats on having a runner...

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

MAN....that thing sounds so SWEET...!!!!....congrats on having a runner...

Thanks. It took a few days to sort it through, but I'm tickled about it.

[Ol Blue K20]

It sounds great.

[plainred65]

What a sweet sound!

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

It sounds great.

Originally Posted by plainred65

What a sweet sound!

Thanks guys.

...well I thought she'd be moving under her own power today...but the machine shop can't seem to get my drive shaft yokes drilled correctly. The closest replacement U-joint that I could find had cups that were about 3 or 4 thousandths too big (hence the machining). I went by to pick them up today...3 were too tight and 1 was too lose. Luckily I had spares. Hopefully by week's end she pulls her own weight.

Since no new pics and just in case all that's missing from your life is a 90% complete tractor not moving but running video, here you go:

http://vimeo.com/290399238

[IronCanine]

We have done our best to preserve and restore anything and everything original to the tractor. The dash assembly was no different. We were very lucky just to have a complete dash assembly. These are usually rusted out or gone. The key was long since gone, but board member LockDoc was able to restore and re-key the ignition switch. The gauges were sent off for restoration and the light and starter switch were simply cleaned up.

[mongocanfly]

Dang, that dash looks great...

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Dang, that dash looks great...

Thanks!

[IronCanine]

The grille emblem was in a sorry state. I sent it to El Paso Electroplating and got it re-chromed. Then Eric hit it with several coats of paint and polished it back.

[IronCanine]

The driveshaft ended up being a very sticky wicket. I procured what I thought were appropriately sized U-joints. Turns out the cups were .004 too big. Which turns out to be a problem. When I tried to press them in, I squeezed a yoke. I was able, with difficulty, to procure a replacement. I thought I could open up that small amount with a brake hone, but I was wrong. So I decided to just take them to a machine shop, but they seemed to have more trouble than I did. Long story short, a second replacement yoke had to be procured and the machine shop sent me home with a big bill, one yoke done, and reamer to get the rest done myself -which I did.

[IronCanine]

Decals were a challenge too. The hood decal that is reproduced for sale is -surprise,surprise- incorrect. Luckily we had the originals to copy. The same folks that made the decals for my Blazer helped get these correct. The factory originals were, I assume a water transfer. I preferred individual cut letters, but that was not practical for the small lettering. So we segregated those elements. I was very happy with the Vortox decal and was lucky to find it. I got a Fram decal from the same guy-but it was of poor quality. I found a very nice reproduction of the Fram decal from a nice gentleman in Maryland who had reproduced it for a military truck that he had restored. The battery decal was the easiest. I just called Mustangs Unlimited right down the road

[IronCanine]

Even though our original engine tag was in really great shape, it wasn't perfect- and had to be removed anyway when the block got machined-so we got a new tag.

[IronCanine]

So we finished up today and brought her home. The last two lines on our to-do list were to put on the hood decals and finish the light assembly. I had ordered some new light lens gaskets, but they weren't just right. So we cut gaskets. Eric did a great job polishing out the stainless rings. Hard to believe these are original glass and bulbs.

[Advanced Design]

Very nice decal and tag work! Impressive!

[IronCanine]

Here are a few after pics...

[IronCanine]

...

[IronCanine]

I am very happy with how this project has turned out, and I'll post some more outside pics or from shows in the future. But I want to thank everyone who worked on or helped with this project:

LockDoc
Shuman Towing
Athens Commercial Tire
Brad's Auto Machine
OliverCrawlers.com (Chris)
Steiner Tractor
AKO Signs
Advanced Electrical Rebuilders
Brillman
Bill Williams
Sims Radiator Service
First Quality Machine Shop
AutoZone
OReillys
Napa
Paper Pulleys
El Paso Electroplating
Doyle Hill
My Lovely Wife

... of course Eric (OldYellow), for painting this tractor so well it wouldn't crank.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Very nice decal and tag work! Impressive!

Thanks!

[mongocanfly]

Congrats on a restoration done well...it is sweet...
Curious though...in the old ad pic..is that a hydralic control/cylinder hanging on the side ?

[plainred65]

Fantastic attention to detail from beginning to end, well done!

[richard2717]

Beautiful work!!

[Ol Blue K20]

Very very nice

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Congrats on a restoration done well...it is sweet...
Curious though...in the old ad pic..is that a hydralic control/cylinder hanging on the side ?

Yes it is. It is a reservoir and "actuator" for the integral lift system. If you'll take a gander back at post #5, you'll see the one that came on this tractor. I elected not to restore the lift, because #1-I didn't want one more thing that could leak #2-I'd have to come up with more parts, this one had been modified- and finally #3-I think it is a bit of an eye sore and breaks up some pretty nice lines for a tractor.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by plainred65

Fantastic attention to detail from beginning to end, well done!

Originally Posted by richard2717

Beautiful work!!

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

Very very nice

Thanks for the kind words and the follow guys. I am very much looking forward to getting it out to the upcoming fall festivals and shows. I know my girl is excited about getting it in a parade.