1958 D17 NFE (lots of pictures)

Solder is very soft and it doesn't stick to steel nearly as well as one would imagine. You can try silver solder, but you'd have to remove the existing solder first. It would be easier to just line the tank.

Chris i used JB weld for gas tanks on one to fix that leak you are talking about. It has been about 6 years and it still doesn't leak there I did get the tank lined as well.
Yes unscrew the hex nut and then put the vent assembly back together.   Fill just over the gear.

Chris ATF or hydraulic oil in the power steering.   Hydraulic oil in the hydraulic pump and power direct clutch as well. I use gear oil in the transmission and finals.   Some people use hydraulic oil in the transmission.   There was a service update at one point to use hydraulic oil but I feel the big gears are better served by gear oil.

HD6GTOM wrote: Chris I did not read all of the posts, if this was already addressed, forgive me. I spent 22 years in the farm tire business, the reason the left rear tire looks like that-- The tractor was ran up and down a paved road, left rear was on paving and the right rear was on the shoulder. It is common with that brand of tire, It should give you years of service.

Tom,
 Thanks!
These rear tires have a few ratty areas but for the most part they are way better than some I have seen. With pretty good tread depth left on them. I know armstrong may not be a top brand, but I cant be to choosy.
Regards,
 Chris

allischalmerguy wrote: Did you use a torch to solder with? Thanks, Mike

He said.....

Sugarmaker wrote: Got out the old soldering irons and started on the solder around the bracket. Regards,  Chris

As usual Chris, it looks great!!  Sure wish I had P/S on mine!  Steers really HARD!  I got mine last fall and haven't been able to work on it yet.  I'm hoping it's just a grease thing.  We'll see.  The batter box and all of the metal that keeps the battery on mine is junk!  I'm gonna have to fabricate one as I don't trust the one in there.  The battery looks like it might fall and I don't want any sparks around that gas tank!

Looks good Chris. I hope it works.
Did you use a torch to solder with?
Thanks,
Mike

Dan,
 Thanks for the recommendation on the flux!
 I would have liked to braze this joint, but with the solder already there I might never get the joint clean for braze?
Just went out and checked. Its been a hour and with 2 gallons in the tank the area around the bracket is dry!!!!
Regards,
 Chris

Folks,
Not much action today, but did get a chance to work on the gas tank this evening.
Put a air hose in the filler port with tank upside down. Let that purge for 15 minutes or more.
 Got out the old soldering irons and started on the solder around the bracket. What I found worked the best was the liquid flux Stay-Sil, I believe is the brand name. Was using paste and the solder would not hardly flow. The liquid flux brought out the impurities in the joint. It may not be pretty but we are gas testing it right now. If there are no leaks this is how its going back on the 17.





Hope things are good in Orange land.
Regards,
 Chris

You are making the green one into an orchard tractor right not the d17? From what I was told orchard d17 tractors where not very popular because they where just too tall. Mine is a orchard trade in that the dealer converted back into a normal d17 still had the orchard exaust and cover over the factory exaust when I was a kid.

that is one nice unmodified D17, looks like It was well taken care of. its in good hands now, looking forward to see your detailed photos and progress

There was an update on the fuel tanks on the D17's where they used a clamp and a spring setup to hold the tanks down due to them cracking down where yours did.  The later tractors had that from the factory as far as I know.

I like the tractor train. I can see me doing something like that if I ever have grandkids...or maybe just for fun.

Ok folks, I see some of you found me after the name change to the thread!
This tractor kept me busy most of the day, so I am catching up.
First we need to change Jim H's name on here to Dr. Jim? Wow just reading his remedies I feel much better! Thanks Jim.

Next on to the paint issue!:) The goal right now is to fix the leaky tank!
 I do have parts all over! It's not as easy to take the tank off a D series as the old WD's. Hoods off, Center hood support off which holds the wiring and the exhaust support, both side panels off. Tank band off, gas line disconnected. Now you can pull the tank!





This is a positive ground system.


Center bar front support bolts these should be fun to get back in place.


Drain the tank, a slow process but I have all day. I am retired or tired not sure which, sometimes both!:)


Wires for lights.


Hood center bar out of the way.


Exhaust support bracket is bolted to the center bar. All bolts came out OK.
After looking closer I see some layers of orange paint on the engine block. May have had engine work done at one time??


Tank is almost free.


Right side panel off. Mr yuck in there. Had a brand new voltage regulator but they sure did not have the time to clean years of oily dirt out. This has to get a little cleaning before going back together!




Under side of tank was damp not dripping.


No obvious leak points.


Ok tank is off and inverted to take a look. Yep someone had a leak before and the bracket is soldered to the tank. Pretty nice looking work but all the vibrations over the years still makes this area suspect number 1.




Scratched the layers of crud off and found only good steel. Also inside of tank looked brand new. But I could see the four spot weld marks from the factory where the bracket was attached.


Ok this may not be the way to do it. But is how I tested it.
Gas cap on tight inverted tank and gently blew air into the tank through the sediment bowl outlet. Closed the sediment bowl petcock trapping some air in the tank.  Brushed soapy water around the bracket and found at least two spots where bubbles were being formed.






Next steps will  be to decide method of the repair. I had real good luck brazing a WD tank in the same area. But the old solder may be hard to get rid of? Have filled and rinsed tank with water once and will have air hose full on inside the tank when any heat is applied.

Scraped and cleaned the area between the panels under the tank.


Its a little better than what is was under the tank area.  A half gallon of crud removed.


So I will keep the new paint in mind, but I do know what it takes to make them look good, and you have to touch every piece many times! This tractor is going to stay in her work clothes for a while. She has some plowing to do!

Hey Steve,
 That abandoned Allis "B" is still setting there in a field. I need to at least get some pictures! What a project that would be! Not a labor of love just a labor!

Just to let you know I had to get some of the other off color toys out too! 

New hand grips for the David Bradley. But it started smoking when I was putting it away? Need to look into that. This was abandoned for 40 years. I drug it home last fall.


Massive Briggs Model N engine. Rebuilt the carb was the major work done to it.


Removed snow blade from the Ford. Chains will stay on for a while. very wet around here.


This one is for Play Farmer.
Had to bring these toys home from storage today too. Drove the 147R with implements on carts about 3/4 mile. Should have had ear protection! It is obnoxiously loud!!
 Like Play Farmers story. This Cub Cadet should never have been brought home. It was in very bad shape. And the implements I gathered up were not much better. I have hundreds of hours in this play train. Sure was nice when she fired up today only needing a battery charge.:) Priceless!





Barrel cart works good for the grand kids. Rhett should like it this summer too.

 
Regards,
 Chris



Edited by Sugarmaker - 30 Mar 2016 at 8:37pm

Chris,
I thought you were going to buy that little B?  Now I have tractor envy!  Nice tractor my friend.  Sounds like you're tackling it straightaway.  I look forward to seeing her in action.  Now I need a D-series...
Best,
Steve

Sugarmaker wrote: You guys are way to high tech for me!:) I am starting to remove items to get the gas tank off. Is there a way to change the title of a thread? Or maybe I should start a new one about this tractor? Anyway this gas tank needs fixed or replaced. Cant have that. I see there is a used one on ebay for $100 too. The underside looks very good. So I am going to remove the hood panels including the center bar. the hood band has been loosened and I guess one or both the side panels will need to come off to get to the bottom tank bolts. Will try to get some pictures as we progress on the tank. Fighting head and chest cold today! Had to come in a warm up. Regards,  Chris

Edited by Play Farmer - 30 Mar 2016 at 2:54pm