I'm going to try and resurrect my Bolens G14. This tractor has some nostalgia for me, it was my dads and I was "forced" (it was a joy) to cut the grass around the farmhouse with it growing up. He gave it to me about 25 years ago, and I used it to cut the grass at my house in st. louis for years. About 20 years ago, something went wrong with the engine - I don't recall what - and a friend said he'd rebuild the engine. He took so long doing it that I hired a lawn service. When he finally gave it back to me I parked it in the basement and haven't touched it for 20 years.
Fast forward to the present - a few years back I bought 40 acres in the country with a John Deere 830 and a bobcat. The 830 is a great "full size" tractor and I use it to brushhog around the house but it just can't get close to the house (lots of decks). I remembered the forlorn G14 sitting in the basement. I was about to pitch it but nostalgia overtook me. One of my hobbies is restoring antique computers, so I figured I'd give the same love to the G14. It appears the G14 has something of a "cult following", so I suspect I can get advice here!
My G14 came with a 42" lawn mower deck, the hydraulic option, 3 point hitch, a tiller that hooks to the pto shaft, a snow plow, a single blade disc plow, a wagon, and "a V-shaped thing with about 8 large spikes". When I first got it, I also acquired a dethatcher and an aerator (3rd party) which I still have. I have all the original manuals for the G14 as well as each implement (and the HH-140 engine).
So when I dug out around the tractor in the basement so I could see it, I saw both front tires were completely flat and crushed. The walls were cracked on them too. Back tires were AOK. No way I could easily roll it out of the basement, so I bought two new front tires, removed the freewheeling pin, and turned the dial on the back wheel out so it would roll. I rolled it out of the basement and got it on a trailer, so I can take it to my new farm and make the restoration "a winter project in the barn".
Pictures attached as it sits on the trailer waiting to go to the farm tomorrow.
My plan is to drain/clean the gas tank, replace any hoses (fuel line, etc.) as they are probably dryrotted, new fuel filter, new air filter, and flush out the engine and get new oil in it. I'll likely replace all the wiring and build new harnesses, Caig De-Oxit all the electrical contacts, and (lightly) powerwash the thing. New battery for sure.
So after the above, can anyone offer advice on anything I should inspect closely or just do "as a matter of course" before trying to start? I want this thing to run forever. If I can get it running well, then it will get a new paint job, new decals, etc.
Any thoughts/advice are very much appreciated!