Ever take something apart, and....?

[Mrleft8]

Back in January, when we had a bazillion inches of snow, and it was about 20 below zero... The hydraulics on my tractor quit (with a full bucket of snow, of course). I got the tractor back into the barn, and hired the neighbor kid to plow from then on. So, it finally warmed up enough for me to take apart the rear end of the old 8-N. It took 1 day just to free up the bolts, and punch out the rusty lynch pins holding the hitch together. I took the top off the rear end, and of course there were several rod/spring assemblies that sort of "sproinged" when I lifted the top... The actual problem with the hydraulics was a simple case of an actuator arm slipping off a connecting pin, no big deal. Now, trying to figure out where exactly these things that went "sproing" are supposed to go, and how to get them to seat there while holding a 35 pound chunk of oily cast iron, and also line up the bolt holes at the same time....
Seems I should have learned my lesson back in 1965, when I took apart that clock.... :rolleyes:

[Mr. Know It All]

Sounds like you need an assistant and a chilton's manual for tractors. Ain't fixin stuff yourself fun? :D

[Mrleft8]

Unfortunately, my "assistants" are really only good at fetching sticks. :D

[Gresham CA]

I bought one of these when I had my 9N. It's worth having. http://shop.store.yahoo.com/ford8n/8nserman.html

[Mrleft8]

I've got one of those Charles... But I seem to have misplaced it somewhere.... Really what I need is another pair of hands....

[Ken Hall]

As a kid, I took apart several 4-bbl. Quadrabog carburetors and always seemed to have about four parts left over when I put them back together....

[Gresham CA]

Sorry. You're too far away for an afternoon of fun. Good luck.

[John Bell]

...There's nothing worse than pulling a cover off of something and hearing the dreaded "sproing"! :(

I've got a riding mower that had the recoil starter go "sproing" a couple of years ago. Every time I tried to get it back together, that dang spring would try to injure me, so I just threw it all in a box for some later date. Fortunately, it also has an electric start, so it's still usable.

The one lesson I learned a long time ago was not to get one's spouse involved as a second pair of hands. The required payback is just too great!

[Gresham CA]

Amen brother. Amen. I've been with Hopeless for 30 years now. I know what you mean.

[Ron Williamson]

Regarding stuff that's difficult to align,buy two bolts that are the right size,but an inch or two,too long and cut their heads off.Thread them in and slide the casting on them,then put in some of the real bolts and replace your alignment pins after the real bolts are threaded.
Make sure that you have fun, as this is a great opportunity to practice your swear-words.
R
PS I sold my 8N and bought a bigger(and much less pleasant)Allis-Chalmers

[Ian G Wright]

For similar fun and education try taking a Triumph sprung hub (1947 triumph 3T bike) apart without the required workshop tools. As the vice jaws bend apart the whole assembly leaps into the air and the sliding shaft will pass through two wooden sheds three gardens apart.

IanW.

[Mrleft8]

Thank god for the garbage man!
He showed up just as I had everything all blocked up on a series of 3/4" cribbing.....(kinda looked like a mini hog pen)
A beer was all it took to get that second pair of hands, and his were already filthy, so he didn't mind! :D
The hydraulics are now running just fine, and the stump in the yard is still there... Seems that stump wasn't QUITE as ready to come out as I thought.... Oh well, it's supposed to snow on Sunday anyway....

[Mr. Know It All]

You now have the satisfaction of knowing that you fixed it yourself. Feels good don't it? :D
Peace---> Kevin in Ohio