Finally had some time to add more parts and prepare for an initial run. Had some doubts all along about condition of engine, starter and bendix operation and voltage regulator condition. For an initial $110 tractor investment it all turned out well. The epoxied broken magnet for the starter stator and bendix worked fine. The engine started on first turnover, no smoke or strange noises, regulator putting out 14+ volts. Aftermarket cheap carb works but adjustments are crude (many turns to make a difference). Next, adjusted return to neutral bracket for no creep of rear axle. Now that that's done, the fender pan and other associated sheet metal could be installed. Retorqueing the head bolts requires quite a bit of disassembly on the Quietline to access the head bolts. A rainy day will be a good time to do this. Now onto the cleanup of the model 2 tiller that I will hang on the back of the 1450. Getting the tine pipe off the output shaft of the model 2 was a challenge, but persistence paid off (along with a lot of hot wrench)! It would have been so much easier for the PO to slide the tines off occasionally, clean the shaft and lubricate than it would be to let them rust on, then have to beat them off (although, I guess it wasn't all that hard for him).
Can't wait to use the hydraulic lift on the 1450 as an upgrade to the manual lift of the model 1 tiller mounted to my 127. Even with a spring assist, it gets old quick for my 70 year old arms. Pictures are 1) After initial run and adjustments, 2) hood installed, 3) Fender pan and seat installed. Stay tuned for tiller progress!