Nice herd !
'71 Sears SS/14 Resto Complete!(Lots of Pics)
CAUTION: Enormous amount of pics
I worked my hands to the bone on this one and finally got around to finishing it! This is the one that got me into the hobby and the tractor that me and my brother grew up using as kids. My grandfather bought it brand new in 1971, and it certainly is a member of the family. Every photo album we have for almost 40 years has this machine in it!
Tractor was used up until 1996(needed A LOT of work:engine, deck etc..) and it was parked in the garage up until my brother brought it back out in 2004 for a resto that just never materialized. It sat for another 6 years... I restored 3 tractors this year(I'll get around to posting pics of the Wheelhorse when I'm done with it), the GT/18 and lastly the SS/14.
I went all out on this one and it was a labor of love for my g-dad(old Marine). My best friend Justin came up for a lot of weekends from Newport News, VA to give me a hand with the engine work, my brother Edward helped with assembling the front and rear end, and my girlfriend Lindsey helped me with the floorboard rubber and aligning the rear lights(she's a keeper :trink40
. You guys are always a wealth of info and I solved a number of problems just by asking, and chatting. Thank you!
The amount of rust was way too much for me on this machine, so I had a local company sand blast every part for me. Good group of guys that are in contract with the gov't that sand/paint armored vehicles, industrial machines, and rigs from overseas for the military. If anyone, I figured they could handle this one. Saved me a lot of time. They also coated it with an epoxy primer. I learned a ton about engine work(including carb issues), assembly-reassemby, points etc.. while working on this tractor.
Added 5 bright LED's to the front and rear. I was also able to find a nice set of reproduction Briggs engine decals on-line as well as reproduction SS/14 decals from Corey over at FS decals(he does nice work). New brake band, new lines all around, new belts, new fluids, gaskets, bolts, tires, seat , the whole shabang. Mower decks are next.
I want my kids to enjoy this one :trink39:
I've been chomping at the bit to share this one with you guys. I like pics and I know you all do to, so here's a bunch of them, enjoy!
BEFORE
![Land vehicle Vehicle Motor vehicle Tractor Lawn]()
![Vehicle Motor vehicle Car Formula libre Chassis]()
![Motor vehicle Vehicle Automotive tire Tractor Tire]()
![Electrical wiring Electronics Auto part Machine Engine]()
AFTER
![Technology Asphalt]()
![Vehicle]()
![Muridae]()
![Engine Auto part Pump Gas compressor Automotive engine part]()
![Engine Gas compressor Auto part Automotive engine part Machine]()
![Vehicle Motor vehicle Auto part Car Suspension part]()
![Automotive tire Tire Automotive design Automobile repair shop Automotive wheel system]()
![Motor vehicle Engine Auto part Vehicle Automotive engine part]()
![Auto part Technology Electronic device Engine Automotive engine part]()
![Light Automotive tire Vehicle Machine Tire]()
![Land vehicle Tire Vehicle Automotive tire Motor vehicle]()
![Engine Auto part Technology Vehicle Machine]()
![Engine Auto part Automotive engine part Vehicle Machine]()
![Vehicle Auto part Machine Engine]()
![Auto part Automotive lighting Technology Vehicle Car]()
![Land vehicle Vehicle Tractor Automotive tire Tire]()
![Land vehicle Vehicle Car Tractor]()
![Vehicle Auto part Car Wheel]()
![Land vehicle Vehicle Car Motor vehicle Lawn]()
![Land vehicle Vehicle Car Motor vehicle Rim]()
![Vehicle Car]()
![Vehicle]()
![Engine Auto part Vehicle Car Automotive engine part]()
![Vehicle Car Automotive exterior Auto part Tire]()
![Grass Plant community Memorial Plant]()
![Tire Alloy wheel Wheel Automotive tire Rim]()
![Land vehicle Vehicle Tractor Motor vehicle Car]()
![Land vehicle Vehicle Car Lawn Tractor]()
![Technology Electronic device]()
![Land vehicle Vehicle Product Motor vehicle Tractor]()
The Fleet
![Motor vehicle Lawn Vehicle Grass Yard]()
I worked my hands to the bone on this one and finally got around to finishing it! This is the one that got me into the hobby and the tractor that me and my brother grew up using as kids. My grandfather bought it brand new in 1971, and it certainly is a member of the family. Every photo album we have for almost 40 years has this machine in it!
Tractor was used up until 1996(needed A LOT of work:engine, deck etc..) and it was parked in the garage up until my brother brought it back out in 2004 for a resto that just never materialized. It sat for another 6 years... I restored 3 tractors this year(I'll get around to posting pics of the Wheelhorse when I'm done with it), the GT/18 and lastly the SS/14.
I went all out on this one and it was a labor of love for my g-dad(old Marine). My best friend Justin came up for a lot of weekends from Newport News, VA to give me a hand with the engine work, my brother Edward helped with assembling the front and rear end, and my girlfriend Lindsey helped me with the floorboard rubber and aligning the rear lights(she's a keeper :trink40
. You guys are always a wealth of info and I solved a number of problems just by asking, and chatting. Thank you! The amount of rust was way too much for me on this machine, so I had a local company sand blast every part for me. Good group of guys that are in contract with the gov't that sand/paint armored vehicles, industrial machines, and rigs from overseas for the military. If anyone, I figured they could handle this one. Saved me a lot of time. They also coated it with an epoxy primer. I learned a ton about engine work(including carb issues), assembly-reassemby, points etc.. while working on this tractor.
Added 5 bright LED's to the front and rear. I was also able to find a nice set of reproduction Briggs engine decals on-line as well as reproduction SS/14 decals from Corey over at FS decals(he does nice work). New brake band, new lines all around, new belts, new fluids, gaskets, bolts, tires, seat , the whole shabang. Mower decks are next.
I want my kids to enjoy this one :trink39:
I've been chomping at the bit to share this one with you guys. I like pics and I know you all do to, so here's a bunch of them, enjoy!
BEFORE
AFTER
The Fleet
1 - 20 of 46 Posts
WOW!mg: awesome job Joe!!! I love the rear tires on that thing, and the white lettering is sweet!!!
mg: awesome job Joe!!! I love the rear tires on that thing, and the white lettering is sweet!!!
Joe,
Great work! I like seeing these old beasts undergo full resto's maybe you will inspire some other folks to follow suit
Great work! I like seeing these old beasts undergo full resto's maybe you will inspire some other folks to follow suit
Can't thank you guys enough for the warm comments, really do appreciate it :trink40:
After I troubleshoot the wheelhorse tomorrow(if my girlfriend will let me :fing32, I'm going to start on the mowers. Anybody recommend a good rattle can paint? I use Rustoleum on pretty much everything, but wanted to see if there was anything tougher out there that someone might recommend for the decks? I've seen a few people use duplicolor, I don't see much of a difference between that and Rustoleum.
I popped into a boat shop the other day and saw antifouling spray paint for the bottom of boats. Looks like it's tough stuff, not a fan of the 15-30 dollars a can price tag though.
After I troubleshoot the wheelhorse tomorrow(if my girlfriend will let me :fing32
, I'm going to start on the mowers. Anybody recommend a good rattle can paint? I use Rustoleum on pretty much everything, but wanted to see if there was anything tougher out there that someone might recommend for the decks? I've seen a few people use duplicolor, I don't see much of a difference between that and Rustoleum. I popped into a boat shop the other day and saw antifouling spray paint for the bottom of boats. Looks like it's tough stuff, not a fan of the 15-30 dollars a can price tag though.
1 - 20 of 46 Posts
