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Mixed Breed Sunstar. now in AC Colors


SmilinSam

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Heres a picture of the $150 14 hp Sunstar I picked up a while back locally off EBay..
[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/More%20stuff/ebaysunstar.jpg[/img]
Starting off on this project I am incorporating some off breed parts from a Deere 332, which is the same frame as the 318. What the plans seems to be, is I am putting the two spool valve from the Deere in the Sunstar to run a 3 point hitch independantl of the center/front lift. Originally I wanted to put a rear PTO on the tractor, however, in order to keep costs down- and along with the factr that I cant fit the rear cylinder setup in the frame along side a rear PTO, I scrapped that idea. This Sunstar has manual steering. I was browsing through Ebay looking for Simplicity power steering parts and found this... [url]http://www.ebay.com/itm/290698067165?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649[/url] ...which I promptly used the Buy It Now on:D As it turns out, this Char-lynn system is going to work right into the Sunstar steering setup..
[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/002.jpg[/img]
I cut the sunstar steering shaft and used the gear end in the lower assembly in place of the Landlord DLX gear. Bolted the lower braket in using spacers.
[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/005.jpg[/img]
The gear stub was drilled out in the end, grease erk installed, with a second hole out the side in the bushing area for grease to be applied there.
[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/003.jpg[/img]
I cut the mount plate away from the upper steering shaft support on the DLX steering mount. Then trimmed the plate to weld into the existing Sunstar steering shaft support bracket. Seen here from the side.
[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/008.jpg[/img]
I turned the torque generator so the hydraulic fittings are out front off to one side for easy access, while leaving room for a battery. There are only three ports. In, Out, and Aux - which supplies oil to the lift valve. The Out on the lift valve will get T'd to the out on the torque generator. On top of the steering mount bracket I yet need to build a shaft support to hold the upper steering shaft/steering wheel.
[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/013.jpg[/img]
Heres a shot of the rear lift cylinder assembly from the Deere that is clamped into the Sunstar frame. Will eventually be bolted into the tractor. I already procured a secong hydraulic lift lever for my two lever control setup.
[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/009.jpg[/img]
The 3 point will eventually be built on the Deere lift shaft..
[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/010.jpg[/img]
At the moment the plan is to repaint in the later paint scheme, but install custom Allis Chalmers Decals and nameplates and call it a 1914 Allis Chalmers.
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Nice job so far Sam. That's the same torque amplifier setup I used on my 9020 awhile back.dOd
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Sam you take Modification/Fabrication to a whole other level...I think I was able to follow your plans but I'll have to wait and see the end result...Sounds cool 8D Good luck sm01
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What are you going to do for a hood.That old hood was scrap. What engine are you going to put in that thing I know you have your work set out for you knowing how bad that tractor was.That thing has made the rounds already since I got it 2 years ago. Bob
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quote:
Originally posted by ka9bxg
What are you going to do for a hood.That old hood was scrap. What engine are you going to put in that thing I know you have your work set out for you knowing how bad that tractor was.That thing has made the rounds already since I got it 2 years ago. Bob
Well Bob, For the lack of a better hood, it looks like this hood will end up being a project all its own. Total disassembly to straighten, weld, and clean up. I have some mesh somewhere to tack into the holes on top where the original screens are gone. Pretty sure it can be salvaged, but it will require some extended time. The worst part of this unit is all the rust in , around, and under the battery tray. Going to rplace all the eaten up bolts and doo some cleaning and Quicky painting, but not getting too carried away. Tractors going to be a worker, not a showpiece. As to the engine, I have a K321 14hp from a 314 that I hope turns out OK. Would prefer a nice K341 16hp or M16, but havnt found one. Want to stick with these Kohler singles as I have lots of spare parts for them to keep them going.
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  • 3 weeks later...
Amidst other more pressing projects, I have made some progress.. Got the dual brakes installed. Replaced some of the rusty frame rods with nicer ones from another dead sunstar frame, got the dual spool valave in and all the lines attached save for the ones to the rear cylinder.
[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/009-1.jpg[/img]
Also got the upper steering shaft support built. Used the tube support plate from a dead power steering control. Cut it down and bolted it to the dash mount with washers to adjust it a little. There is barely enough clearance around the gold coupler seen in a picture up above. Had to grind the ends of the roll pin flush and drill & tap the other hole to install a allen head bolt to attach the steering shaft with the splines in a recessed fasion. Added some grease and it seems to work fine.
[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/008-1.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/007.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/006-1.jpg[/img]
I can put the dash and electrical back on now, and get on with installing the rear hydraulic system for the 3 point I will eventually build.
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  • 1 month later...
Amidst all the turmoil around here lately, I did make some more progress...
[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/DSCN0521.jpg[/img]
New Deestone 26x12x12 ags on the back. I wanted the slightly undersized deestones which sit around 24 1/2" tall rather than the huge Carlisle 26"ers or the smaller 10.50's.
[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/DSCN0519.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/DSCN0518.jpg[/img]
Got to build on the 3 point liftshaft next and repair one of the side panels. Going to try and get the last two hydraulic lines in and start putting the color panels back on in the next week or so.
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When that thing left my place it did have the 3 point lift and the pto.Did your Son rob it or did it go someplace else.
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My son robbed those from it for his project Bob, then sold the tractor/deck to someone else. Those items were gone by the time it reached me. The guy I got it from also lost other small parts when he took the the tractor partially apart after it blew up. I have been picking up loose pieces off Ebay trying to put it all back together. I am incorporating a Deere 318 3 point setup into this customized hydraulic setup. Unfortunately that wont leave room for a rear pto as the rear lift cylinder I am adding would get in the way of the electric clutch. The goal is to be able to have a independantly operated rear 3 point so I can operate 2 attachments at the same time. Rear and front/center.
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  • 2 weeks later...
Modified Deere 318 kit I bought from a seller on the internet in Iowa, minus the rockshaft but with the arms & brackets that weld to the rockshaft so I could weld them to my variation of the deere rockshaft for the Sunstar.
[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/DSCN0523.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/DSCN0525.jpg[/img]
As you can see in the next photo I had to cut the frame above the original Sunstarr 3 pt mount holes for the Deere based setup to slide in. Works real nicedOd
[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/DSCN0526.jpg[/img]
Still need to put an air dam of some sorts in here. Havnt found any stiff foam sort of weatherstripping that would work. May bolt in something like used on the single cylinder Soveriegns.
[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/DSCN0528.jpg[/img]
Preview of finish ideas:D
[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/DSCN0531.jpg[/img]
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  • 3 weeks later...
Done..
[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/001.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/002-1.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/004.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv227/Smilinsam/Sunstar/003-1.jpg[/img]
The hood decals were made from automotive hood striping I got at Autozone, and white striping and lettering off Ebay..
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Another tremendous SmilinSam project as usual. Great mechanicals and good looks as well. And it's fate? Worker? Exhibit only? Or sale item?
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Looks great, Sam. They still make the gasket (flexible plastic ring) that goes between the engine and trans cooler box.
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I actually got my ideas from the 8000 series AC farm tractors. I always thought the Sunstars looked like scaled down 8000's. This tractor is going to be a worker. I wanted one large 3 point machine with a single cylinder kohler, as they are easy to come by and easy to swap. This satisfies an old memory I have. Back in the late 80's or early 90's I was in a dealership that had both Cub Cadets and Simplicitys. I remember wondering about how it would be to run both the super cubs and the Sunstars. Now 20 some years later I have one of each. They are about the same sort of machinery all in all. The Cub Cadet is weak where the tranny bolts into the frame and has a tendancy to crack one of the aluminum transmission castings where it bolts to the frame. However the Cub Cadet is way more comfortable to sit on and operate, no question about that. Other than that its just a matter of belt drive attachments on the Cub vs shaft drive on the Sunstar. As to the gap, its about 2"+. I found a foam strip 2"x2" at wal mart that will work, I just need to get some wide double sided tape , or other means to stick it to the firewall in front of the engine. All tha neds done for daily operation is to replace the weak fuel pump, fix a glitch in the choke cable, and set the high speed stop. All normal maintinace items. Unfortunatley for now theres nothing to do with the tractor. Yards all burnt up, and grounds to dry to work the boxblade with.
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quote:
As to the gap, its about 2"+.
Having just purchased the seal for my restore, as I recall it was probably about 2"+. According to my build sheet on the Sunstar resto, it was about $17. It is kind of like a round plastic accordion ring, that snaps into the trans cooler box. It fits great, and I think with the M20 installed, it compressed to about 1"+.
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Like I said before Sam you take Mod/Fab to a whole new level!! But you have another Awsome-original & with those mods that will make a great worker. I like the 3 point with independant lift for the front and rear atachments...and of course the power steering is unbeatable (can't wait to get mine done) and it looks cool 8D Great job dOd
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