Kevin's Liquifire

[nick80lf]

Well......more progress was made. I believe the TR800 is finished. As normal, it was not without drama (my 23 year old Chinese vise didn't survive).

In past years when I have rebuilt 102s I would take them appart at home do as much as I could at home and then take them to work to torque the spider. The main reason for this was that I didn't own a torque wrench capable of going to 250 ft lbs per the specs for the 102 spiders (in recent years the torque wrench situation has changed). The company that I work for has been around for almost 150 years and there are big beautiful very old vises on just about every work bench (Parker, Columbian, and ect) which are more than capable of handling the task, unlike my Chinese made tractor store special. My intent was to take the spider on the TR800 to 250 ft lbs, but I know I didn't get there before I heard the crack, which at first I thought was the TR800. It felt like I was close to 250 so I left it at that.

So from there when I went to install the cover I was struggling quite a bit to press down the cover, keep the ramps in place, and install the cover bolts so I decided enough was enough and made a tool to compress the cover.

This is nothing more than a chunk of 3/4-16 bolt that I drilled then cut a piece of 1/2 threaded rod and plug welded the two together. It worked pretty well and is something I can toss in the drawer with the clutch puller.

And here is the finished clutch

[jep_800]

Looks awesome Nick!

On the previous page, you had the fuel tank and door installed on top of the tunnel... wondering what you used to clean/ polish that material to make it look so good. I think it's been mentioned by Deere guys before, I am just the fool who doesn't write that stuff down the first time.

Thanks.

Jason

[nick80lf]

Thanks for the compliment Jason. As far as what I used to clean the tank. I honestly don't exactly remember. Pretty sure I pressure washed it, probably wiped it down with simple green, and maybe something like alcohol (not positive on that one). Once it was clean and dry, I used kiwi heel and edge black on it. I have had pretty good luck with the shoe polish. I use it on just about anything rubber or plastic that needs a refresh. The tool box lid received new decals. I have also touched up the rivet heads that hold the hinge to the lid.