My Uncle's One-Sixty Restoration (Update 04-23-18)
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Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=145035
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Topic: My Uncle's One-Sixty Restoration (Update 04-23-18)
Posted By: Flyer
Subject: My Uncle's One-Sixty Restoration (Update 04-23-18)
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2017 at 9:41pm
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My uncle bought this tractor new in 1970 and I learned how to drive on it at the ripe old age of 5. One of my earliest childhood memories is riding around sitting on the tool box bolted to the left fender. I was 3 or 4 years old at the time. When my uncle passed away, I hauled it back from West Virginia and parked it in my garage. I'm starting the restoration and am still in the process of taking it apart. Photos follow: Shortly after coming off the farm:    Cleaning and disassembly progress:             Another day or two spent tearing it apart and it will be time to start cleaning and reassembling. Fair Warning: I'm planning to do a thing or two that will likely upset the Correctness Police. ------------- An optimist sees the glass as half full. The pessimist sees the glass as half empty. The engineer sees a glass with double the required capacity. |
Replies:
Posted By: Bill Long
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2017 at 10:01pm
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What a WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY!! A tractor with such a family history that you will be able to restore. Let me wish you the very best on this meaningful project. Please let us know how it goes. Good Luck! Bill Long ps: You know if they made this unit in 1960 I may still be selling tractors. Looks like just what we needed in our area. |
Posted By: Hubnut
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2017 at 7:03am
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Wow! That looks more complicated than a B! Thanks for the pics. Keep us updated and good luck with the restoration. ------------- 1940 B "Lucy" 1941 B w/ Woods L59 "Flavia" 1942 B w/ finish mower "Dick" 1941 C w/ 3-point "Maggie" 1947 C SFW w/ L306 "Trixie" 1972 314H |
Posted By: AC720Man
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2017 at 7:10am
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That’s a nice 160 to begin with. My best friend has one and it is a fantastic tractor for its size. It’s his main rake tractor, over 6,000 hrs on it. The little Perkins keeps on going. He bales 20-25K square bales a year. Wish you the best on your restore. Keep the pictures coming. ------------- 1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD |
Posted By: DSeries4
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2017 at 9:34am
In my opinion, that tractor doesn't need to be restored. Sheet metal is straight and solid and the original paint looks good too - Very hard to find one like that. If it were me, I would just degrease everything, fix any leaks and only paint the rims. Some good car wax could freshen up the paint on the hood and fenders. ------------- '49 G, '54 WD45, '55 CA, '56 WD45D, '57 WD45, '58 D14, '59 D14, '60 D14, '61 D15D, '66 D15II, '66 D21II, '67 D17IV, '67 D17IVD, '67 190XTD, '73 620, '76 185, '77 175, '84 8030, '85 6080 |
AC720Man wrote:Posted By: Dandan111
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2017 at 9:54am
| Clean tractor. Is that a 65 mustang hiding in the background on a lift? |
Posted By: Flyer
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2017 at 2:50pm
I'm not doing this because I thought it was in rough shape. I'm an electrical engineer by trade and spend most of my time building computer models for industrial power systems. The tractor project does two things for me: 1) It gives me a chance to use something larger than a 7/16" wrench without having a union grievance filed against me and 2) spend some time re-living some old memories from the farm. I fully recognize that I will have a lot more financially tied up in this thing than I could possibly sell it for but the fun I'm having working on it is well worth it to me. ------------- An optimist sees the glass as half full. The pessimist sees the glass as half empty. The engineer sees a glass with double the required capacity. |
Posted By: Flyer
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2017 at 2:52pm
Good eye! It's the other project my friend has going in his shop. I'm not sure if it's a '65 or a '66. I'm a Chevy guy and always had trouble telling those two years apart. ------------- An optimist sees the glass as half full. The pessimist sees the glass as half empty. The engineer sees a glass with double the required capacity. |
Posted By: B26240
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2017 at 4:12pm
| Flyer; Great project I had a MF 230 with that same engine and they are a fuel efficient little power house. and as far as I'm concerned go ahead and fix/repaint/modify to your hearts content. |
Posted By: BrianC
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2017 at 4:34pm
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Very good pictures. I don't think we ever had a 160 tear down photo shoot. My favorite part is the engine to bell housing adapter casting. Allis-Chalmers must have demanded a water cooled Perkins, told Renault to get rid of that air cooled German diesel. Ironic that 15 years later there are German diesels all over at the old Allis dealers. My 160 is letting rust particles into the fuel filter bowl. Maybe it is time to line the tanks. |
Posted By: Ranse
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2017 at 8:15pm
| Good looking tractor. Back in September, I met a man and his son at the Eagleville tractor show in TN. They each had a nicely restored 160 like yours. 1974 models. I never seen a 100 series that small before, only 170 and up. They were for Alabama and they told me that the smaller ones were not very common in the south. I guess that's true. They are sweet looking little tractors though, good luck with it. |
Posted By: Flyer
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2017 at 6:43am
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Thanks, everybody. I'm using the digital camera as a notebook to use for putting it back together. I've taken over 100 detail photos so far. I plan to add pictures here as I go along. ------------- An optimist sees the glass as half full. The pessimist sees the glass as half empty. The engineer sees a glass with double the required capacity. |
Posted By: acjwb
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2017 at 10:24am
| What part of W Va did your uncle live in and do you know the dealer he bought it from? |
Posted By: Flyer
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2017 at 11:07am
The farm is in Marlinton, WV. The tractor was purchased from the dealership on US-219 in Lewisburg. It appears to go by the name of Boone Tractor now. It was called Greenbrier Tractor back in the day. ------------- An optimist sees the glass as half full. The pessimist sees the glass as half empty. The engineer sees a glass with double the required capacity. |
Posted By: AC720Man
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2017 at 8:57pm
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I've gotta ask, why in the hell did you cut the loader supports? They simply unbolt from the frame. ------------- 1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD |
Posted By: JohnCO
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2017 at 9:40pm
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"It's your tractor, you can do what ya wanna!" ------------- "If at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer" Allis Express participant |
Posted By: Flyer
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2017 at 6:52am
I don't have the loader and I'm not putting the frame back on the tractor. My uncle somehow managed to sell the loader without the frame. I don't know what kind of a deal he struck for that one. All I know is I came back from a year at college and the loader was no longer stashed in the shed next to the hay rake. I'm using the loader frame as additional support points while the tractor is split. Seems a lot more stable than a single point under the transmission. We cut off the front half of the loader frame to get it out of the way. Once the engine and front frame rails are back in place, the remaining loader frame pieces get removed. ------------- An optimist sees the glass as half full. The pessimist sees the glass as half empty. The engineer sees a glass with double the required capacity. |
Posted By: Flyer
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2017 at 7:37pm
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Cleaning is progressing. The big accomplishment for today: Before:  After:  I was surprised to see they painted in there at the factory. ------------- An optimist sees the glass as half full. The pessimist sees the glass as half empty. The engineer sees a glass with double the required capacity. |
Posted By: HD6GTOM
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2017 at 7:49pm
| You have a great looking little tractor there. You will have a super looking little tractor when you get done. I hope you have as lot of fun with it. Good luck with her. |
Posted By: marion
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2017 at 9:56am
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bought a d-15 with loader on it, was unable to give it away so I sold it to a guy in china and kept one side of frame rail on tractor. Made a good step and handle to get on and off.
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Posted By: JayIN
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2017 at 10:09am
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Nice tractor!I have a Perkins in my 843 Bobcat and I love it. Have fun! ------------- sometimes I walk out to my shop and look around and think "Who's the idiot that owns this place?" |
Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2017 at 4:01pm
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I am not familiar with these. Looks like about the size of a WD?? I didnt even know there was a 160! Great pictures and a family tractor too. Have a blast with the restoration work! It is work, and can be very daunting at times. Usually just prior to paint. Looking forward to your pictures as you progress. Any hints on the changes we can expect??? I have taken liberties with rim colors and moving over to alternators and 12 volt on some of my past WD projects. Regards, Chris ------------- D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet. |
Posted By: Flyer
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2017 at 6:53pm
Nothing too dramatic for changes. The easy stuff to spot will be a little chrome here and there and I'm putting power-adjust wheels on it. The biggest departure from factory will probably be the lights. I'm going to try an experiment with LEDs and see if I can get them to behave the way I want. I think my plan is sound but I still have to pick up a few more bits and pieces for a bench test before I start wiring the tractor. ------------- An optimist sees the glass as half full. The pessimist sees the glass as half empty. The engineer sees a glass with double the required capacity. |
Posted By: BEK
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2017 at 7:21pm
| I go for the early prewar tractors, but that is a good looking tractor. There's one down the the road from me, a 160 or 170, not sure? But you are tempting me to go and find out. Again, keep up the good work on a cool tractor. - Brad |
Posted By: LeonR2013
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2017 at 8:34pm
| Hmmm. Planing to put some Mustang badges on it? |
Posted By: SteveM C/IL
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2017 at 11:35pm
| Your friend has some top notch equipment in his shop. That air compressor is a killer not to mention the bandsaw. Not harbor Freight! LOL!! |
Posted By: H Clark
Date Posted: 31 Dec 2017 at 9:48am
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When I started reading this post I was wondering if that was where it came from. My grandpa bought a One-Sixty just like that one from Greenbrier Tractor new in 1969. My cousin still has it. I have a 160 that was originally sold at greenbrier tractor . My grandpa bought all his tractors at greenbrier tractor. That’s a nice tractor you have I hope one day to get my grandpas and restore it. ------------- 1960 D-12,1948 WC, 1973 160, 1977 175, 1984 6060 |
Posted By: Flyer
Date Posted: 31 Dec 2017 at 1:58pm
I'm more of a P-40 nose art guy. Something based on this is tempting: 
The air compressor was a project in itself. He was looking for a way to stagger the compressor starts so both motors wouldn't be pulling inrush current at the same time. I did a little more than that for it:  I put together a digital control scheme using some scavenged parts from an old project. I figure it was the least I could do since my tractor is taking up a chunk of his shop floor. ------------- An optimist sees the glass as half full. The pessimist sees the glass as half empty. The engineer sees a glass with double the required capacity. |
Posted By: SteveM C/IL
Date Posted: 31 Dec 2017 at 8:53pm
| Yeah,that makes my head hurt! I admire those who have learned that sort of thing and understand what it takes to make it function. I have an extra out of service(bad tank) compressor next to the new one and thought it would be neat to run both compressors to same tank but would have that same start up problem. I can live with it as is. LOL |
Posted By: Flyer
Date Posted: 31 Dec 2017 at 9:47pm
Easy solution for you would be to use two pressure switches set slightly apart. The only time you risk a double start is when you first turn the system on with pressure low enough to pick up both switches. You can change which compressor is in "lead" by adjusting the pressure switches. The system I put together prevents the compressors from starting within 5 seconds of one-another and switches the lead compressor on a regular basis to try and keep wear even between the two. That's a little more than the minimum required to keep the circuit breakers closed. ------------- An optimist sees the glass as half full. The pessimist sees the glass as half empty. The engineer sees a glass with double the required capacity. |
Posted By: DSeries4
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2018 at 8:32am
It is a French tractor made by Renault as a replacement for the D15 in the late 1960s. Physically smaller in size to a WD, but engine is around 45 hp. ------------- '49 G, '54 WD45, '55 CA, '56 WD45D, '57 WD45, '58 D14, '59 D14, '60 D14, '61 D15D, '66 D15II, '66 D21II, '67 D17IV, '67 D17IVD, '67 190XTD, '73 620, '76 185, '77 175, '84 8030, '85 6080 |
Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2018 at 9:35am
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Looks like based on your wiring work LED lights will not be a issue for you. Next size larger tires/rims would look awesome too! Regards, Chris ------------- D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet. |
Posted By: John WV
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2018 at 12:20pm
| just how many did greenbrier tractor sold? I brought a 160 from a dealer in Lewisburg 5 years ago on rt 219. now its up on the other end of the state in the easten panhandle Now I have 2 of them both are 1970. my dad brought the first one in white post va. now some one posted its about 45 hp. 12 years after dad brought his 160 we had to put in a new 3th gear and he asked them to put it on a dynamometer because he told them that the tractor has more then 40 hp. So they did at 71 hp. it started to smoke and at 73 hp it killed it. I was told that massy rates it at 73 hp.for their tractor. I just wish parts was easier to find. |
Posted By: Lonn
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2018 at 12:40pm
------------- -- --- .... .- -- -- .- -.. / .-- .- ... / .- / -- ..- .-. -.. . .-. .. -. --. / -.-. .... .. .-.. -.. / .-. .- .--. .. ... - Wink I am a Russian Bot |
Posted By: BenGiBoy
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2018 at 2:31pm
What do you have to test out on the LED lights? Looks like any type of lights would be something you could do in your sleep.   ------------- '39 Model B Tractors are cheaper than girls, remember that! |
Posted By: Flyer
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2018 at 4:40pm
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^I'm working out how rapid and in what type of pattern can I flash the lights for parade duty. The strobe module should be getting here in the next couple of days so I should be able to do a bench test to see if what I have in mind will work with the lights I picked. ------------- An optimist sees the glass as half full. The pessimist sees the glass as half empty. The engineer sees a glass with double the required capacity. |
Posted By: BenGiBoy
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2018 at 5:19pm
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Oh, that will be interesting! We want a video when you are done now.... ------------- '39 Model B Tractors are cheaper than girls, remember that! |
Posted By: JayIN
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2018 at 5:21pm
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Sounds pretty cool. Best of the old and the new! ------------- sometimes I walk out to my shop and look around and think "Who's the idiot that owns this place?" |
Posted By: Rp1456
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2018 at 10:01am
Very Nice 160, they are fun to restore we re did ours and added some funs things (Turbo, and pump work, nothing crazy) ours is a fun little tractor, a little bouncy in the field, but that can be fixed with tires and weight. Have fun Yours looks super solid ours was a basket case.  |
Posted By: Flyer
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2018 at 10:16am
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^That's a nice looking tractor! I like the exhaust stack. ------------- An optimist sees the glass as half full. The pessimist sees the glass as half empty. The engineer sees a glass with double the required capacity. |
Posted By: Flyer
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2018 at 9:41pm
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Well, it's finally on its way back together. The engine has been rebuilt and it's sitting on four wheels again. Pics of the project as it continues: One rebuilt Perkins AD3.152:  Starting to put it back together.  Clutch is installed. It looks a lot prettier than it did when I removed it.  Engine bolted back in place. Getting the two-stage clutch aligned was a little tricky but a little patience goes a long way.  Frame rails and front wheels back in place. I'm happy to have it back on four wheels.   Still a long ways to go but it feels good to finally get the engine and frame back in place. ------------- An optimist sees the glass as half full. The pessimist sees the glass as half empty. The engineer sees a glass with double the required capacity. |
Posted By: BenGiBoy
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2018 at 1:46pm
Lookin' good! Back on 4 wheel means you are getting somewhere at least.  - Ben ------------- '39 Model B Tractors are cheaper than girls, remember that! |
Posted By: oldways
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2018 at 7:13pm
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Looks great. Only problem is now I think I need a 160 ------------- 1 Corinthians 1:18 1969-190xt-III. 1966 190xt gas. 1966 190xt Cab. 1948-G. 1937-WC unstyled. 1950-B. 1951-CA. 1966-D17-IV |
Posted By: CTuckerNWIL
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2018 at 7:35pm
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I kept an eye out for more than a couple years, looking for a decent 160. A local guy had a rebuilt 3-152 engine with a lot of other work done, new tires rims and paint, with new gauges, clutches, but in a Red and Gray tractor. I bought it. Now after using it 2 years for bush hog, grading the drive, plowing garden, discing food plots and plowing snow, I want to find me another engine just like it, to put in my OC46 loader.  ------------- http://www.ae-ta.com" rel="nofollow - http://www.ae-ta.com Lena 1935 WC12xxx, Willie 1951 CA6xx Dad bought new, 1954WD45 PS, 1960 D17 NF |
Posted By: Flyer
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2018 at 11:01am
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I just hope the engine is as reliable post-rebuild as it was before. I made the right call on the rebuild considering what I found on the inside of the fuel tank and what the people rebuilding the injection pump found when they opened it up. However, I'm not going to have it far enough together to fire up until well after it's painted and I really don't want to have to tear into it at that point. ------------- An optimist sees the glass as half full. The pessimist sees the glass as half empty. The engineer sees a glass with double the required capacity. |
Posted By: JayIN
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2018 at 11:03am
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I think that Perkins.is.the.same.one in my 853 Bobcat. You will love.it.!!! Very stingy on fuel. ------------- sometimes I walk out to my shop and look around and think "Who's the idiot that owns this place?" |
Posted By: H Clark
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2018 at 6:25pm
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Looking good. Can’t wait for another update! ------------- 1960 D-12,1948 WC, 1973 160, 1977 175, 1984 6060 |
Posted By: Flyer
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 8:46am
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Spent several weeks cleaning parts, getting organized, and waiting for weather to support a final power wash and sand blast. We had two nice days last week and managed to get it blasted and in the paint booth. It snowed while it was in the booth and cleared off enough to get it back out last night. We were in a bit of a rush to get it moved back to the shop since it's supposed to snow here again today. The plan was to have it on the new tires and rims when it came out of paint but those will be installed in the shop instead. Pictures from the last week of progress: Post Sand Blast:      Post Paint:    New Rear Tire Progress:     We pushed it into its current spot by hand. If all goes as planned (not the only project in my friend's shop), the next move it makes should be under its own power. ------------- An optimist sees the glass as half full. The pessimist sees the glass as half empty. The engineer sees a glass with double the required capacity. |
Posted By: JayIN
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 8:48am
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Nice!!! ------------- sometimes I walk out to my shop and look around and think "Who's the idiot that owns this place?" |
Posted By: AC7060IL
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 9:21am
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Very sharp! Flyer, in one of your earlier post you mentioned sand blast. Do you sand blast frame & housings only, or everything (engine included?)? Thanks for sharing photos & follow-ups on your post. I've enjoyed watching your progress. |
Posted By: Flyer
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 10:55am
Thanks! We sand blasted the entire tractor as it's shown in the first picture. I just made sure all of the openings on the engine were sealed really well before we did it. We went from sand blast to primer to paint in five evenings. ------------- An optimist sees the glass as half full. The pessimist sees the glass as half empty. The engineer sees a glass with double the required capacity. |
Posted By: Flyer
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2018 at 7:07am
New shoes for the back are done. Still have some lug bolts to clean up,
paint, and install. The fronts are next on the list and got a lot of
parts cleaned up and ready for paint. Not a half-bad bit of progress
this weekend.    ------------- An optimist sees the glass as half full. The pessimist sees the glass as half empty. The engineer sees a glass with double the required capacity. |
Posted By: tbran
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2018 at 9:14pm
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looks like a spin on oil filter... hows that work... what is the pn on the filter housing and filter? ------------- When told "it's not the money,it's the principle", remember, it's always the money.. |
Posted By: Flyer
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2018 at 10:12pm
Mine was a canister type but I swapped it over a few years ago. The pieces are in the parts catalog for the 160: Adapter: 72080564 Filter: 71014120 ------------- An optimist sees the glass as half full. The pessimist sees the glass as half empty. The engineer sees a glass with double the required capacity. |