[woodpecker41]

My opinion is it is your tractor to do with what you want. I doubt there will be significant difference one way or another in the value. Any 1963 is valuable. If you are into true restoration then you can search for the old style cover but I like to keep tractors somewhat as found. Since I did the Orange 110 I have it basically just sits. Most of my other tractors get driven and occasionally used. I seem to have more fun and enjoyment from them. I am sure many people would want to have the tractor no matter what. Roger

 

[T-Mo]

Bill,
I believe if it was in the original condition as it was coming out of the factory, the value would be higher. But there are hardly any that is the original condition. It is what you want to do with it that's important. If you want top dollar, then finding original '63 parts is crucial, but as Roger and Kyle have said, it's what you want to do with it. I know some would cringed at the thought of having something other than what was on it when new, but.....

 

[dmarchelle]

Isn't it at least POSSIBLE that that was the cover that came on it when it was made? Maybe Kohler messed up when they made it and shipped it anyway. Somebody on the assembly line wouldn't care since it fit correctly and out the door it went.

 

[smalljob]

Thanks for your insight.....

 

[mrbeef]

Bill it would be my opinion that IF you fully restore the machine then yes a period correct cover would make it more valuable.

HOWEVER, it is my philosophy that some things should be left as they are because it is part of the history of the machine. My all original 67' has one black hub on the transaxle.... the original owner replaced that hub sometime in the 70's... if I would ever restore the machine I would paint that hub black again.....

Or another example and I think you have seen it... my 65' 110 has the headlights mounted way too far forward and it has an ampmeter.... I don't intend to do anything with them. Even though if I took it to a show I am sure people would point them out as being incorrect. Tough cookies! The individual I bought it from though the lights looked cool so he put a set on... he did not know there was a template...

In your case even if you restore the machine I would keep the cover.... it is what came with it and as I have mentioned 63's are special... we own them but we are merely caretakers.

How is that for getting philosophical on a Tuesday afternoon!

 

[smalljob]

Thanks Kyle... Let me digress here for a moment. I was thinking about you guys in the Midwest last night. I sold my 30 tiller about a month ago to a young man ( early 20's) that started rescuing deers when he was 13. He has a 66 110 and is very interested in them. It was nice to meet him and we have exchanged information since. He sent me a DVD of a movie called The Straight Story which is about an older gentleman that has to go visit his estranged brother some 260 miles away. The story is very moving and provides some nice messages about family and determination. For me in the east it was also great to get a glimpse of your part of the country. Anyway, one of the stars is a 1966 110. I won't give it all away, but here is a link to a trailer. Well worth renting. http://youtu.be/haBSUbp5rvw

 

[T-Mo]

Bill,
If you would follow this site you would know most of us have seen that movie. I even posted the script here before. I have the move in both VCR and DVD format. Great movie based on a true story.

 

[smalljob]

I got the parts I needed to get the transaxle back together. While I was waiting , over the last week or so, I was able to get it painted. I still need to torque the case bolts and install the seals and axle bearings. Interesting how the 3 speed gasket hangs over the outside of case. The one I took off was the same.

 

[smalljob]

Well not pretty, no belts guards, hood, fenders etc, but it works. The belts are really bad and the clutch / brake is out of adjustment so I have to be careful when I am shifting it. Those things will get fixed when I do the restore. Puffs some smoke when throttling up. Well at least I have a working 63. The rest of the winter will be taking it apart cataloging everything for reinstall after sandblasting and painting. The variator does work, but it is very stiff, same with the lift lever .I am anticipating some challenges with rust getting those things apart, but all in all pretty good.

http://youtu.be/5EfsRVZO9Ac

 

[T-Mo]

Sounds pretty good, Bill.

 

[mikeduwe]

A 63 is still a 63 when restored if done right. If you do a good job it should go up in value.

The 63/64 prototype I sold a few years back, I bought that from a JD dealer as well, and they were big JD GT collectors themselves. They even had a crappy job restored 63 110 on the shoroom floor they said they woulndt sell for any less than $10,000.

And I paid $300 for the one I bought.

They are no longer in business

 

[smalljob]

So yesterday I got her started after a month and took this first photo op. Then I started it up to put it in the barn and it would not go into gear.... Yikes I just rebuilt the transaxle..... Then I noticed that the shifter was very very loose and if I pulled up on the shifter it would shift fine. I put it into gear and got it into the barn. Today I pulled the shifter off and found that the snap ring had popped off. Luckily on the 63 you can get shifter off without dropping the transaxle. You can't do that on the 65+. You may not recall , but the shifter was broken when I got the tractor and this was an NOS one I located. Obviously the person that assembled it failed to set the ring in the grove. All back together and working as it should. Luckily no parts fell into the transaxle. I also was able to take the neutral safety switch apart and repair that. That is not currently installed. I had take it out when I rebuilt the transaxle. It will go back in when I do the restore.

 

[jimbomsg]

Nice bracket Bill NOS!! I heard you found a starter generator cover also!!
:usa:Jim

 

[smalljob]

yes, thanks to you !!! I was amazed that I could save this switch. I was never able to save any from my other RF's. So glad that when the shifter came apart that the pieces did not slip into the transaxle. That would not have been good. Next step is to pull the engine apart for a good look and see if it needs boring. It does smoke pretty bad and fouls the spark plug with oil. Best case just rings worse case needs boring. It does idle and run fine other than the smoke and the rebuilt transaxle shifts nicely. Cant wait to get some good weather here do do more. Still got over 2ft of snow in most places with mounds over my shoulders near walks and end of driveway.

 

[jimbomsg]

Bill FYI what ever you do with the engine buy Kohler parts don't buy Steins they are junk!!
:welcome:

 

[smalljob]

Yes that is what I did when I rebuilt the K181 on my 66 110H.

 

[smalljob]

Pulled the engine today. Nice that it came apart without incident. A lot of oil on top of piston and plug really oily. Cylinder appears worn and crank also. The rod shows some scuff marks, not bad but there. Took it all up to the machine shop that has done other engines for me. Explained that this will not be doing anything heavy just want it not to blow smoke and foul th plug. So we will see what they say next week. Can still get std and .020 piston and std and .010 rods.

 

[jd140]

Bill,
If your not in too big of a hurry just keep watching Ebay for someone to list a new piston and rod. That`s what I did when we rebuilt my K161 and I got a NOS GENUINE Kohler .010 piston for just $20.00.

 

[mcain]

If the bore is real bad you could use a std. 8HP Kohler piston.

 

[smalljob]

Thanks guys. I have seen a couple of .010 NOS pistons on eBay, but no rings so far. Not too worried about the piston. The crank will be the question. Thanks for that comment Mitchell, I have seen in my research where other people have converted the small bore k161 2 7/8 to the larger bore 2 15/16 which is the same as the K181. The only difference is the stroke, but bore is identical.

Brandon what did you use to clean everything up so nice? Are you going to paint it green or leave it unpainted.