Made a big decision today on my 1450

[clint]

I was tinkering around with my 1450 today, and came to a conclusion... I can chase the small problems forever, I could sell it, or I could go through it, fix the things that need it, the "short comings" and be done with it. I have decided to fix the problems, and it will be a chore. Now I'm thinking, when I do take it apart I should paint it, keep it as original as possible so any upgrades or changes will be minor, or bring the entire thing more up to date. I will keep the motor original, I need the sheet metal for the motor, well some of it, the drive shaft is pitted, and the rubber "clutches" need replaced, here I have decided I will replace the entire shaft with a stainless bearing shaft of high quality I have a long piece of it on hand, and just the right diameter as well, I will also go back with universal joints instead of the rubber clutch setup ( not sure of proper term here). I will also need to replace, work on, fix the speed adjustment plate on the side of the hydro pump. I need a new check valve, but I'm going to do it right, and replace both and be done with it.

I will order a wiring harness as I have said many times, and get the rubber/plastic tube to give a nice factory look while long life.

I'm thinking of pulling the motor off, painting it with the high temp ceramic paint, and while I'm at it paint the entire tractor. All this is a huge undertaking, and it will also be out of service for a long time as well. For those that have done this, after your finished do you then have any thing you look back on wishing your would have changed something ? Will doing the drive shaft u-joint mod hurt the value of it ? I also have a aluminum fan that will work perfect for replacing the plastic hydro fan that seems to always get broken from reading.

I hope when I'm finished I will not think it's to good to be used, also I really like factory stuff, I have seen a few things that can be upgraded and changed from OEM, and be better, but very few and far between. Any pointers I would love to hear, and anyone who has pictures of "restored" cub cadets i would also like to see. I will hit a huge learning curve when it comes to paint, I'm ignorant to the subject, and very little hands on... however my hood needs it bad, and also several places of rust freckles.

[CBH]

You've got a job ahead of you. It will be a very satisfying feeling when you get it finished.
I just like to get mine mechanically sound and make them look fairly nice. If I ever had one that looked perfect (like some I've seen on here) I wouldn't want to use it!

[Randy Littrell]

Clint, if you haven't done a big project before I would suggest fixing one thing at a time. If you do this you can keep it working while you fix it up and when it is mechanically sound, you can take it all apart and paint. I know this sounds like doing things twice but if you really want it nice, its a good way. When you take apart, fix and paint all at once, if something turns out not right you have to take it back apart and mess up paint.

Just my .02 and any help you need, ask! I worked in a body shop for 6 years painting and doing glass and vinyl tops. There are others on here with paint experience as well and I know they will help too. Good luck.



Randy

[RChristensen]

Clint I don't know your situation but if the 1450 is your only work tractor and you need it for mowing or whatever you should probably listen to Randy, as he makes a lot of sense.

I've rebuilt a lot of cubs and other brands of tractors and they always took a lot more time than I figured on.

If you look at Randy's signature line you will see he owns 2 each of a lot of different cubs. I doubt that is a coincidence as I use that trick too. As these tractors get older and have had different owners they get some jerry rigged quick fixes and if you have two identical cubs and a good manual you can usually figure out how things really should have been done.

As far as painting, I am not a good painter, I will leave that for others here but one thing I know the finished project is only as good as the prep.

On the hydro fan here is my thoughts. The plastic fans will last a long long time, and the reason they normally get broken is something comes in contact with them. I would rather see a plastic fan get busted than do some real damage to something else. One thing that often gets the fan is the hydraulic lift mechanism. If you don't have a mower deck on the lift arms, and you don't have a locking pin in the lift assembly, and then you have the ram fully extended the lift mechanism can fold back on it self and if the pin is too long or the arm is bent slightly the pin will come in contact with the fan and the fan is history.

Whichever way you decide to go there will be plenty of people here willing to help you. Once you do a complete rebuild on one they become so reliable, and if you do have problems you know exactly where to go and what to do. The experience you get pays back for years down the road.

[aagitch]

As far as OEM goes, that depends if you plan on labeling it restored to OEM specs etc... I've upgraded my gauges on my 782 with ones that light up when the lights are on. One of them is a oil pressure guage and I also have an oil pressure warning light. Definitely not original but an improvement. The way the gauges appear, someone that didn't know anything about cub cadets would probably assume they are originals. So, I wouldn't worry about the mods as long as they look good and professional.