[R.J.]

Well, Ive done what I said I was not going to do.
I said I was not buying another old tractor, till all ongoing
projects were finished. Nope. I fell off the wagon again.
I ended up buying this old John Deere G off an older gentleman that lives
around 7 miles from me. The story behind this tractor was that it was his aunts husbands tractor, and 30 years ago when he passed away, he brought it home with him, done some work with it, and the clutch started slipping.
He said he tried to adjust the clutch, but he couldn't get it to stop slipping with a load behind it, and it got worse, so he said he backed it into that shed 30 years ago and that's where it has set ever since. Decided he needed some space and wanted to get the old G out of the way. So we go over last night and look at it. He had drained the gas and water out of it, so that's a good thing. Engine is not stuck, and has compression. Has a 3 point hitch and a good draw bar, and the original lights. breather and muffler is good. manifolds look good. carburetor is intact. Gears are free. brakes and throttle linkage is free. Tires are rotten, but all the rims are good. Sheet metal has a few dents, but just surface rust and good otherwise. Anyway he says make me an offer, and I say 500, and he says if you give me 600, its yours. I says you got a deal and paid the man, so me and the nephew are going over there tomorrow evening to load it up and take it home.
I will post more pictures once it is out of that shed.

 

[Jim in NC]

I think ya done good! Probably won't take much to get it running. Are you gonna need more shed room?

 

[MajaKez]

Good job :drinks: I'm waiting for more pictures of this amazing tractor

 

[R.J.]

Finally got the G home last night. We got it unloaded and pushed into
the shop. Even though it was dark, I snapped some more pictures of it,
and they turned out where you can see the tractor pretty good.actually managed to get 3 out of 4 tires to hold air long enough to get it loaded and unloaded, which made it a little easier getting it on and off the trailer.

 

[R.J.]

Good news.
The magneto is producing fire and we are getting a nice blue spark to the plugs.
Now, we have compression, we have spark, so next is getting the gas flow to it like it should be and we just might have a running tractor.

 

[Jim in NC]

All good signs so far!

 

[SofaSpud]

But it wasnt the engine as to why the former owner parked it. Good luck getting the clutch apart. My 60 fought me.
Otherwise it looks like the crank seal under the flywheel is going bad.

 

[johndeerefan]

Gotta love the sound of an ole G.

 

[SofaSpud]

So? Whats happening with the clutch?

 

[R.J.]

Update on the G. We have been working on rewiring the tractor and replacing everything that was made of rubber or not metal. Hoses, belts, ect. Even tho it had a roof over it, that did not keep rain and snow from blowing in on the tractor for 30 years, and everything that could rot, did.
Anyways, still got work to do on the gas tanks and need to replace some more stuff on it. Got some seals that need replaced. But we did get it running with a tank off a lawnmower we rigged up after rebuilding the carburetor, and putting a tune up kit in it. Got the hoses and fan belt replaced. The new tires were delivered and put on it today, and we took it for a test drive in the field by the shop. So far, the clutch is working properly and not slipping climbing up hills. We have not tried pulling anything with it yet. The linkage will need a bushing put in to tighten it up. The motor has not smoked any after the first start up and running it to operating temperature. All in all, it is coming along, and we are just replacing stuff as we find things that are not working on it. Here's a couple pictures of the new tires getting put on. Nothing like new rubber to make a man smile, and his billfold
much lighter.

 

[SofaSpud]

sounds like you got a good deal on a old JD.

 

[R.J.]

Another update on the G.
Installed a new seat and Back rest.
Finished wiring up a new 3 way switch on the dash, and got the lights connected up.
had to sand the insides of the light buckets to get a good ground, but they are finally
working now. Installed 2 new compression petcocks, as the ones that were on it was leaking oil when closed. After much effort, we got the old settling bulb to unscrew from
the main tank, and found that the 3 way valve that connects both tanks is bad.
The PTO oil seal that I ordered from Steiner, was smaller than the original. Evidently they put smaller PTO shafts in the late G's, so I called them, and they located me the correct seal and gasket, as it is not in their catalog, but they were very nice, and accommodating, and got what I needed. So, we are progressing a little, week by week.
Hoping to have it far enough along to take it to the indoor tractor show in Bowling Green KY in January. Anyways, That's the goal we have set.

 

[SofaSpud]

Post a youtube vid when she is done.

 

[R.J.]

Post a youtube vid when she is done.

Yes, that would be a good idea. I will try to work on that and make a few progression videos for folks to see.

 

[R.J.]

Heres a picture of the G after the nephew used some steel wool
and linseed oil on the side sheet metal. I really like the look he is getting.
Turning The rust to a nice shiny patina. I believe its going to look really
awesome, once we get the whole tractor done.

 

[Jim in NC]

Very cool!

 

[BigDaveinKY]

I know linseed oil works good for a finish on wood. I always wondered how it would work on metal.

 

[Jim in NC]

I have a blacksmith neighbor that uses linseed oil on alot of his creations.

 

[R.J.]

We have actually been able to track down the name of the fellow that bought and took delivery of the G when it was new. Also found out that this tractors home has also been right here in this County all its life, and it has always been a local tractor, so I was glad to have found out this info on it. Found out this through a friend of mines dad, that is 87. My Dad, which is 81, says he actually knew the man, and they brought that tractor to his dads farm to thrash a crop of wheat one year when he was a kid. He said he had no idea, that was the same tractor, since he was only 10 or 11 when that happened.

 

[Sugarmaker]

R.J.
Congratulations!
I know the feeling, I had a tractor moment last fall, Just had to have it! Now ready for the next project. I have a problem! Your doing the same stuff I typically do when I bring another one home. Check clean and refurb, repeat.
Thanks for the pictures. I dont have a Green tractor yet!
Regards,
Chris