Just brought a Bolens 800 home

Traktur Buff · Nov 9, 2009

Hello everyone!
I was given a Bolens 800. It has sat in the back of a garage for 15-20 years. This is the first tractor in my collection that will require more than a spark plug and some starter fluid so I am looking to you all for direction. The half of a tank of gas was brown and smelt like varnish. I imagine some of the wiring if not all will need to be replaced. The insulation on the wire for the one headlight is (or should I say was) woven cloth.

js5020d · Nov 9, 2009

Nice machine, looks in decent shape for its age.

Deerlope · Nov 9, 2009

I like that head light. Sounds like the whole fuel system needs a good cleaning.I would change all the fluids after I rebuilt it.

Bolens 1000 · Nov 9, 2009

Thats a great Looking 800. The original colors of the tractor look great. If your going to restore or paint this I would first match these colors. Your 800 is a 1963, my 800 is a 64' thats why you see the color change in the brown on yours. The color is almost a gold color. You should also have a Wisconsin S-7D in yours.

bstrucker · Nov 9, 2009

I'm not sure what you have in mind for your 800,if it were mine,I'd get it running,fix what needs fixing and leave the rest alone,it looks to be in really nice condition.You'll probably have to take the fuel tank off to clean it out good,change the oil in the engine,check the rear to make sure there isn't water in it,you'll probably need to change the oil in the rear eventually but it would be better to run it a little first and warm it up some,that 90wt doesn't drain good cold.As far as the wiring,if it's original and the coating isn't cracked and brittle,I'd leave that alone also,I haven't seen any of those older Bolens that the wiring was really bad on,Bolens did have a habit of painting over wiring and sometimes it looks a lot worse than it is.

Traktur Buff · Nov 9, 2009

I have limited time and I am not a mechanic or small gas engine expert so my initial intention is to just get it running again. I removed the gas tank and washed it out. One can of Gunk Heavy Duty Degreaser and a pressure washer to the whole thing and 1/2 of a can of Gumout Carb Cleaner. I drained the oil which did not seem too dirty and added a quart of SAE 30. I have sooooo many questions but I don't want to type all morning. Here comes a few of the questions...
1. After adding 32 oz. of SAE I checked the dip stick and it appears to be overfilled, I found a spec sheet that stated a S-7D requires 2 pints. Should I drain some oil off to get to the full level?
2. The clutch/brake pedal has no tension, it just lays forward. Any ideas or diagrams that can enlighten me? Anyone with a picture of theirs?
3. Where do I get a new brake pad, it appears to be paper thin?

Bill56 · Nov 9, 2009

Go to www.sonnysbolens.com

Downloadable Owners/Service manuals there for free!!!

bstrucker · Nov 9, 2009

If your oil is just a little overful,it shouldn't be a problem,if it calls for 32oz and that's what you put in,I wouldn't worry about it.

As far as the clutch goes,the pedals usually lay forward some,if it has a couple inches of pedal left,it should shift ok.When I got my 900 the rod that attaches to the pedal was worn pretty bad and didn't give me much pedal to work with.I made a new on and used it for a while,until I picked up another with a good rod.Check yours,that seems to be a wear point that could cause your pedal to lay forward,it may just need adjusting.

LPBOLENS · Nov 9, 2009

That little tractor is in great condition considering the time it sat. I agree with those that recommend getting it working and then leaving it alone.They are only original once.

As for the oil overfill, I would drain oil until it reaches the mark on the dipstick. No good can come from overfilling them.

Steevo · Nov 9, 2009

That is one of the cleanest original 800's I have ever seen.
Great find!

m.jodrey · Nov 9, 2009

Great find.:thThumbsU :thThumbsU

tractorkid94 · Nov 9, 2009

That's a great looking 800! I just got one and these things are real fun to play with. Good luck with getting it running!

Bolens 1000 · Nov 9, 2009

Traktur Buff said:
2. The clutch/brake pedal has no tension, it just lays forward. Any ideas or diagrams that can enlighten me? Anyone with a picture of theirs?
3. Where do I get a new brake pad, it appears to be paper thin?

Many times the clutch petal can be adjusted.
This next question is dumb, but just to make shure I know what your talking about I'll ask it....... You mean the actual brake pads near the end of the transmission, not the clutch discs right??

You can find all the clutch and brake pad parts you may need here:
Sam's Bolens/

Bolens 1000 · Nov 9, 2009

Also there is the Complete Bolens tubeframe repair manual Here in MTF's reference library

CLICK HERE For the Clutch repair and adjustment page

Traktur Buff · Nov 9, 2009

Thank you. Yes, I meant the small brake pad at the end of the shaft that engages a wheel on the transaxle.

Bolens 1000 · Nov 9, 2009

There are 2 different sizes, .
The large one is Part # 171-3751
Smaller one # 171-3777
They are both 14.95 each.
I bought a few from him and they are alot stronger and durable than the originals.

Here is the Link to the Buy it now page at Sam's
SAMS BOLENS

Traktur Buff · Nov 10, 2009

I took the light off this Cyclops so I can rewire it. The path of least resistance says: “Do not paint it”. I will put a little rubbing compound to the hood to try to take some of the rust off. The rims needed to be addressed though.
Now guys, I emptied the engine oil, added 32 oz of SAE 30 and recently removed 9 oz to get it to the "Full" mark on the dipstick. Just does not seem right but I guess it is better to be safe than sorry.
I got a new spark plug and will pick up a new gas line and battery so I can hear this thing come back to life. What size battery should I get for this? The one I took out was a full sized car battery.

Alan in Vermont · Nov 11, 2009

Traktur Buff said:
Now guys, I emptied the engine oil, added 32 oz of SAE 30 and recently removed 9 oz to get it to the "Full" mark on the dipstick. Just does not seem right but I guess it is better to be safe than sorry.

Lemme see if I've got this right, the manual calls for 32 oz. of oil in the crankcase. Last I knew a quart was 32 oz. But the dipstick shows it as being too full. You sure the right dipstick is in there after all these years? Are you sure the dipstick is actually marked correctly? Suppose it IS overfull, I'll bet the engine will last longer being 35% or so overfull than it will being 25%+/- low.

Now lemme tell you a tale. JD 400 uses a K532 Kohler. First thing I did when I got it was change the oil. Didn't have a manual so I filled it according to the stick. Two quarts made it just slightly overfull. Close enough said I in my ignorance. Next oil change I consulted the manual I had boughten in the meantime. 7 pints, 3 1/2 quarts, for a change, including filter. I've asked around and it would appear that there were some long dipsticks made because a lot of 400 owners are running a quart and a half overfull according to the dipstick.

Bolens 1000 · Nov 12, 2009

Traktur Buff said:
Now guys, I emptied the engine oil, added 32 oz of SAE 30 and recently removed 9 oz to get it to the "Full" mark on the dipstick. Just does not seem right but I guess it is better to be safe than sorry.
.

I add a Full quart of oil when I change mine, and it is always a little over. I figure a little over is better than having it low. If the manual says to add A quart then I add the quart, you cant go wrong if you follow the manual

Just brought a Bolens 800 home

Traktur Buff

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js5020d

Deerlope

Bolens 1000

bstrucker

Traktur Buff

Bill56

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Bolens 1000

Traktur Buff

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Alan in Vermont

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