Crescent Hill Tree Farm

Cletrac Project - 2003
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Cletrac Project - 2006
Cletrac Project - 2005
Cletrac Project - 2003
Cletrac Project - 2000
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See work done in Phase I: 2000 - 2001

Click here to see Phase III of restoration in 2005.

cletrac.gif

Unfortunately, the knocking noise wasn't just the water pump.  The new oil pressure gauge showed it was losing oil pressure [the stream of oil on the ground was another obvious clue], and the main culprit seemed to be the rear main seal.  With the engine out, that would provide access to correct the lower track guide.  Might as well do it once, do it right.
 
So, the second major overhaul started on August 30, 2003, with an initial target of Spring 2004 for completion of the mechanical and cosmetic restoration. 
 
Work stopped at Thanksgiving 2003, and took a 15 month hiatus. 
Plans include:
  1. Remove the engine -- refurbish a replacement engine [done] 
  2. Repair structural issues: weld lower track guide rails, one broken track link [done]
  3. Refurbish all operating systems: electrical, fuel, cooling, hydraulics, etc. 
    [done in Phase I]  Updates to be done as needed.
  4. Replace any worn parts - clutch, clutch shaft, throwout & pilot bearings.  [done]
  5. Locate and acquire missing parts (seat, brake handle hardware)
  6. Repair all body sheetmetal, straighten, clean and prep for paint. 
  7. Install replacement engine; re-install mechanical, hydraulic & electrical equipment
  8. Locate replacements for missing side curtain panels & battery box.
  9. Repaint everything back to the original Cletrac Orange color.
  10. Re-assemble and place decals.
Sept 19, 2003 Photo. This engine is a Willys Super Hurricane F226, flathead 6 cylinder manufactured by Continental.  It is nearly identical to, but not the original Continental engine for this tractor.  This one started out in a Willys Jeep - most likely military.  It's ready to be lifted out of tractor:
front-engine.jpg
 
Sept 19, 2003 - The engine finally comes out of the tractor.  Standing there is my son, and able assistant, Erik.

engine-lifted.jpg

 
Oct 11, 2003 - As it will look until the engine goes back in.  Disassembled down to the tracks.
down-to-tracks.jpg
 
Oct 10, 2003 - Inner and outer lower track guiderails were broken; now welded
guiderail-welded.jpg
 
Oct 12, 2003 - The replacement engine is also a Willys Super Hurricane 6 cylinder engine. This one is out of a 1961 Willys wrecker.  It ran fine, but needed "a little work".
engine-before.jpg
 
Oct 27, 2003 - Most of the engine work is done.  Repair nearing completion, waiting for gasket set.  Accessories temporarily added onto the block for a demo to Boy Scouts.  Can you imagine trying to learn anything by looking under the hood of today's cars?
f226-continental.jpg
 
Oct 11, 2003 - Engine bay cleaned, primed and painted.   Ready for engine to go back in.  Paint color is not correct - but I didn't want it sitting all winter unpainted.
engine-bay-painted.jpg
 
Sept 19, 2003 - The engine slid out easily.  Here's looking into the Clutch housing.  You can see some wear on the splined clutch shaft, but the reason it had to be replaced was the end facing out was the "bearing" surface inside the race of the seized pilot bearing (in the flywheel).   It just wore itself down doing a job it wasn't designed to do.  I was amazed it wasn't squealing in complaint.
clutch-housing2.jpg
 
Nov 2, 2003 - Timing chain cover with governor outlet, crank shaft pulley, front PTO insert plate, trunion mounting collar, timing pointer, and generator mounting bracket are primed and ready for finish coat.
frontcover-parts.jpg

Accomplishments to date:

 

8/30/2003    Start disassembly of Cletrac: hood, radiator, etc

9/6/2003       Loosen bolts on clutch cover, preparations to take engine out of Cletrac

9/13/2003     Jack up Cletrac;

9/19/2003     Remove engine from Cletrac; crate & bring home

9/21/2003     Put Cletrac engine in front of Willys chassis

9/26/2003     Remove clutch & flywheel from old engine

9/27/2003     Powerwash Cletrac flywheel & Clutch housing front cover

9/27/2003     Remove pilot bearing from Cletrac flywheel

9/27/2003     Open Oil Filter cannister; Drain oil from '61

9/28/2003     Remove clutch shaft, throw out bearing from Cletrac

9/29/2003     Order WP Pulley & Clutch Throwout bearing from Landis

9/29/2003     Check for oil filter number in ’61 Willys:

9/30/2003     Pilot Bearing ordered

10/1/2003     Press pilot bearing into Cletrac flywheel

10/3/2003     Clean & degrease clutch housing front cover; prep & prime

10/3/2003     W/P pulley, Throw-out bearing Parts arrived from Landis

10/4/2003     Scrape, clean & de-grime engine bay

10/4/2003     Remove inner/outer "horns": right side lower track guides

10/4/2003     Block up tracks so welder can work

10/5/2003     Install replacement pulley on water pump

10/5/2003     Track guide pieces - grind off welds - prep for welder

10/5/2003     Straighten Left fender

10/5/2003     Clean out oil filter housing - '61; kerosene inside oil pan

10/6/2003     Clean sludge out of oil filter can, rinse thru plumbing - '61

10/6/2003     Spray penetrating oil on C/S pulley

10/8/2003     Parts arrived from Landis: Clutch shaft, Seat, Brake hdwe

10/8/2003     Mount Engine stand bracket to old engine

10/9/2003     Jack up Willys; ramps under front wheels

10/10/2003   Welding repairs: Track guides, track

10/10/2003   Re-install hydraulic cylinder tower to track guides

10/10/2003   Remove right fender

10/10/2003   Scrape, clean & de-grease engine bay; prep; 2 coats  primer

10/11/2003   NAPA: Oil pan gasket set; 2 oil filters; Contact Points set;

10/11/2003   Paint engine bay - 2 coats NAPA "Old Equip Yellow"

10/11/2003   Paint clutch housing front cover - 2 coats yellow

10/11/2003   Drop '61 oil pan; clean out sludge; degrease/ powerwash

10/11/2003   Degrease & power wash right fender

10/12/2003   Remove '61 Willys engine from chassis

10/12/2003   Remove water pump from '61

10/12/2003   Remove flywheel, clutch assy from '61 Willys engine

10/12/2003   Remove oil sump pickup; degrease; soak again in gunk

10/12/2003   Mount engine on engine stand

10/12/2003   Degrease block & inside crankcase;

10/12/2003   Remove freezeout plugs, powerwash cooling system

10/13/2003   Order Freezeout plugs

10/13/2003   Extract broken bolts - cooling system top outlet

10/14/2003   Buy new freezeout plugs

10/14/2003   Eastwood:Oxisolv, Metal Wash, Gas tank sealer

10/14/2003   Thread bolts into C/S pulley cover on old engine, pull cover off of pulley

10/14/2003   Finish cleaning oil sump pickup and re-install on oil pump

10/14/2003   Install Freezeout plugs in '61 engine

10/14/2003   Remove water pump from old engine

10/14/2003   Remove Dipstick tube from '61 engine

10/15/2003   Remove crank bolt, C/S pulley from old engine

10/17/2003   Cut gaskets: water pump, w/p spacer, thermostat housing

10/17/2003   Drill & back out broken oil pan bolt in block; remove throttle pivot plate

10/17/2003   Clean waterpump spacer

10/18/2003   NAPA: oil filters, oil pan gasket, drain petcock

10/18/2003   Rough Clean & degrime clutch, transmission housings

10/18/2003   Remove clutch housing top cover - take home for cleaning, paint

10/19/2003   Remove oil filter bkt; ground strap; straighten dipstick tube

10/19/2003   Cut bracket off Right fender

10/19/2003   New stove bolts for Fenders

10/19/2003   Clean up voltage regulator

10/20/2003   Finish spot cleaning left side & rear of '61 engine block, oil pan

10/20/2003   Prep & prime '61 engine block (left & rear)  oil pan - Rust Destroyer

10/20/2003   Remove coil, starter relay, & bracket

10/22/2003   Finish cleaning right, front & top of '61 engine block - prep for paint

10/22/2003   Prep & prime '61 engine block (Right side, top & front) - Rust Destroyer

10/23/2003   Paint timing mark on Cletrac flywheel; find (& mark) TDC on Willys eng & C/S pulley - so flywheel marks will align with TDC

10/23/2003   Remove C/S pulley from '61 engine, timing chain cover

10/23/2003   Clean '61 C/S pulley - find timing mark; mark output shaft

10/24/2003   Buy Cletrac Orange paint - 2 qts Acrylic Enamel [PPG Ditzler 60583]

10/24/2003   Straighten Right fender

10/24/2003   Remove Carb, distrib, etc from '61

10/24/2003   Clean, prime water jacket outlet

10/25/2003   Paint '61 engine block, oil pan, oil filter cannister

10/25/2003   Remove heater outlet from rear of head - '61

10/25/2003   Remove old oil pan gasket;

10/25/2003   Clean lower end of '61 block & prep to mount oil pan & gasket

10/26/2003   Clean & degrease old engine front cover, trunion mount bracket,

10/26/2003   Clean bolts, pulley, governor housing, distrib shaft

10/26/2003    Mark, drill & tap 2 holes for waterpump mount on '61

10/26/2003    Remove timing chain / governor housing from old engine

10/26/2003    Remove exhaust pipe from header - '61, clean threads

10/29/2003    Order complete overhaul gasket set (Fel-Pro)

10/29/2003    Loosen nuts on timing chain gear - both engines

10/30/2003    Remove & clean Cletrac Timing cover backing plate

10/30/2003    Prep & prime Cletrac timing chain cover (front&back), governor outlet

10/30/2003    Prep & prime C/S pulley, pulley insert, hydraulic pump driveshaft

10/30/2003    Remove & clean '61 Timing gear & chain

10/30/2003    Remove front engine mount - '61

10/31/2003    Buy Muriatic acid, acetone to prep gas tank for sealant

10/31/2003    Install & align studs for water pump

11/1/2003       Prep gas tank for sealant - a long and arduous process

11/1/2003       Seal gas tank

11/2/2003       Cut gaskets: timing chain housing, governor holes

11/2/2003       Prep & prime front cover, pulley, trunion mount, pulley insert,

11/2/2003       Prep & prime timing pointer, Generator mounting bracket

11/2/2003       Install Cletrac water pump on '61 engine

11/2/2003       Degrease hydraulic tank & valve; pump drive shaft

11/2/2003       Install front timing chain housingbacking plate

11/2/2003      Clean timing chain & re-install gear, chain

11/3/2003       Paint pieces: front timing chain housing assembly, front cover, pulley

11/3/2003       Paint pieces: trunion mount, pulley insert, Generator mounting bracket

11/3/2003       Order new front main seal
11/6/2003       Pick up, install new front main seal
11/7/2003       Press bearing into place; paint 2nd coat on timing chain cover.
11/8/2003       Re-assemble front timing chain cover, install on engine

 

 

Click here to see Phase III of restoration in 2005.

Begin Restoration