Restore, Rebuild, Overhaul Ford CL-30

[Don Shilling]

Any updates here Don? Been watching this since I joined here and was curious how things are going since my machine is similar.

I overextended myself a while back and pulled something in my right leg. It's getting better and I hope to get back started very shortly. I'm ready to call my sand blaster out here and zap all my painted steel. I've already bought the yellow primer, purchased some engine parts, rebuilt the hydraulic cylinders, and surveyed all the hoses. most will be replaced. I really miss not having this machine available for odd jobs. It really does come in handy.

 

[RJSStamps]

I overextended myself a while back and pulled something in my right leg. It's getting better and I hope to get back started very shortly. I'm ready to call my sand blaster out here and zap all my painted steel. I've already bought the yellow primer, purchased some engine parts, rebuilt the hydraulic cylinders, and surveyed all the hoses. most will be replaced. I really miss not having this machine available for odd jobs. It really does come in handy.

Ah that explains it Don, sorry to hear that too. Well I look forward to updates when your up to it, no need to make things worse.

RJS

 

[Tazza]

Ah that explains it Don, sorry to hear that too. Well I look forward to updates when your up to it, no need to make things worse.

RJS

If you change a lot of hoses, you may want to keep the old fittings. I cut them off and weld up the holes, cheap/free caps and plugs if you need to cap anything off to work on it.

 

[Don Shilling]

I overextended myself a while back and pulled something in my right leg. It's getting better and I hope to get back started very shortly. I'm ready to call my sand blaster out here and zap all my painted steel. I've already bought the yellow primer, purchased some engine parts, rebuilt the hydraulic cylinders, and surveyed all the hoses. most will be replaced. I really miss not having this machine available for odd jobs. It really does come in handy.

OK, here we go again. The Weather Channel said only 30% chance or rain so this would be a good day for a picnic,,,,, or sand blasting. I laid out all the parts on pallets and the sandblaster brought his rig to my place. I'm out in the sticks so that worked out fine. I purchased two gallons of yellow primer to go under the Rust-oleum Equipment Yellow. As deep as I'm going in this rebuild, it only makes sense to make it look as purty as possible. Tomorrow, I'll start spraying primer color. For some reason or other, I am not able to insert pixs. Will try to rectify the problem.

 

[Tazza]

OK, here we go again. The Weather Channel said only 30% chance or rain so this would be a good day for a picnic,,,,, or sand blasting. I laid out all the parts on pallets and the sandblaster brought his rig to my place. I'm out in the sticks so that worked out fine. I purchased two gallons of yellow primer to go under the Rust-oleum Equipment Yellow. As deep as I'm going in this rebuild, it only makes sense to make it look as purty as possible. Tomorrow, I'll start spraying primer color. For some reason or other, I am not able to insert pixs. Will try to rectify the problem.

See if this works....

 

[Don Shilling]

See if this works....

I got some spare time today to do all my priming. I chose a yellow primer to match the Rust-Oleum Equipment Yellow that I will be using. http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford CL30 Skid Loader/Img_1865.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford CL30 Skid Loader/IMG_1864.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford CL30 Skid Loader/IMG_1862.jpg

I didn't want to remove the tire to paint the rim so I tediously taped and papered the tires. http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford CL30 Skid Loader/IMG_1867.jpg

 

[Tazza]

I got some spare time today to do all my priming. I chose a yellow primer to match the Rust-Oleum Equipment Yellow that I will be using. http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford%20CL30%20Skid%20Loader/Img_1865.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford%20CL30%20Skid%20Loader/IMG_1864.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford%20CL30%20Skid%20Loader/IMG_1862.jpg

I didn't want to remove the tire to paint the rim so I tediously taped and papered the tires. http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford%20CL30%20Skid%20Loader/IMG_1867.jpg

I do the same with rims. If i'm not replacing the tyres, no point in puling them.
Looks good too

 

[RJSStamps]

I do the same with rims. If i'm not replacing the tyres, no point in puling them.
Looks good too

Wow Don, nice job there! I just wish I had the time and $$ to do all that to my machine! This ole CCL55 could use that done. It is actually primered. Someone started the project but never got any farther and it stayed primer yellow and gray! Yours is looking great though!

 

[Don Shilling]

Wow Don, nice job there! I just wish I had the time and $$ to do all that to my machine! This ole CCL55 could use that done. It is actually primered. Someone started the project but never got any farther and it stayed primer yellow and gray! Yours is looking great though!

I got a little painting done today. After this cures out I can start some assembly before I forget how everything goes together. I need to start on the engine pretty soon, mainly going to need a set of .010 over pistons and rings, valves, and guides. I think the lower end is in fine condition. It's going to be YELLOW, that's for sure. This is Equipment Yellow or Old Caterpillar Yellow from Rust-Oleum.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford CL30 Skid Loader/IMG_1887.jpg

Here's the axels and bearing housings. I needed all four outside axle bearings on Ebay for about 100.00 each. The bearing store wanted 300.00 each.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford CL30 Skid Loader/IMG_1889.jpg

I didn't take the pumps apart because all that was working nicely, so a clean up and repaint was all that is needed.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford CL30 Skid Loader/IMG_1890.jpg

 

[Don Shilling]

I got a little painting done today. After this cures out I can start some assembly before I forget how everything goes together. I need to start on the engine pretty soon, mainly going to need a set of .010 over pistons and rings, valves, and guides. I think the lower end is in fine condition. It's going to be YELLOW, that's for sure. This is Equipment Yellow or Old Caterpillar Yellow from Rust-Oleum.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford%20CL30%20Skid%20Loader/IMG_1887.jpg

Here's the axels and bearing housings. I needed all four outside axle bearings on Ebay for about 100.00 each. The bearing store wanted 300.00 each.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford%20CL30%20Skid%20Loader/IMG_1889.jpg

I didn't take the pumps apart because all that was working nicely, so a clean up and repaint was all that is needed.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford%20CL30%20Skid%20Loader/IMG_1890.jpg

It's 104 outside but I got a chance to install the axles and sprockets yesterday and today. I think that will be the hardest part of assembly and is not an easy task for a one horse rodeo. Anyways, I'll cut some gaskets and install the hydro motors tomorrow. I'll wait to test the hydraulics before I install the drive chains. http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford CL30 Skid Loader/IMG_1900.jpg

 

[Tazza]

It's 104 outside but I got a chance to install the axles and sprockets yesterday and today. I think that will be the hardest part of assembly and is not an easy task for a one horse rodeo. Anyways, I'll cut some gaskets and install the hydro motors tomorrow. I'll wait to test the hydraulics before I install the drive chains. http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford%20CL30%20Skid%20Loader/IMG_1900.jpg

Looks good, it is hard doing those sorts of things alone. Thankfully my dad likes helping with things like this, so i get all the help i need

 

[Don Shilling]

It's 104 outside but I got a chance to install the axles and sprockets yesterday and today. I think that will be the hardest part of assembly and is not an easy task for a one horse rodeo. Anyways, I'll cut some gaskets and install the hydro motors tomorrow. I'll wait to test the hydraulics before I install the drive chains. http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford%20CL30%20Skid%20Loader/IMG_1900.jpg

Well, I reckon it's time to get back to this project. I had to sell some things on Craigslist to build up my "play money" sock and scrounge some parts for the engine. The only bad bushings were in the lower ones in the side arms where the bucket pivots. After grinding the rest of the weld I'll test fit all components to insure alignment.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford CL30 Skid Loader/IMG_1912.jpg

This engine, (Wisconsin VH4D) was a bad smoker and would use about a quart per 5 gallons of gas. Otherwise, it started and ran perfectly. On teardown I found a beautiful standard crank and standard cylinders with only about .0005" ring ridge at the top of the cylinder. The rings were not badly worn but had .110" end gap!! I reassembled with standard rod bearings, fresh valve guides with the same valves, (perfect stems), and the same pistons with new standard rings. These new rings measured the proper .015" end gap. This engine was made in 1993 and appears to have been built with the wrong set of rings to begin with,,,,,,, you just never know what you will run across with an unknown, used equipment. Anyways, it's going together nicely and will make a dandy engine.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford CL30 Skid Loader/IMG_1928.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford CL30 Skid Loader/IMG_1911.jpg

 

[Tazza]

Well, I reckon it's time to get back to this project. I had to sell some things on Craigslist to build up my "play money" sock and scrounge some parts for the engine. The only bad bushings were in the lower ones in the side arms where the bucket pivots. After grinding the rest of the weld I'll test fit all components to insure alignment.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford%20CL30%20Skid%20Loader/IMG_1912.jpg

This engine, (Wisconsin VH4D) was a bad smoker and would use about a quart per 5 gallons of gas. Otherwise, it started and ran perfectly. On teardown I found a beautiful standard crank and standard cylinders with only about .0005" ring ridge at the top of the cylinder. The rings were not badly worn but had .110" end gap!! I reassembled with standard rod bearings, fresh valve guides with the same valves, (perfect stems), and the same pistons with new standard rings. These new rings measured the proper .015" end gap. This engine was made in 1993 and appears to have been built with the wrong set of rings to begin with,,,,,,, you just never know what you will run across with an unknown, used equipment. Anyways, it's going together nicely and will make a dandy engine.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford%20CL30%20Skid%20Loader/IMG_1928.jpg


http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford%20CL30%20Skid%20Loader/IMG_1911.jpg

Impressive.
I was told many years ago when doing an engine, put the rings in the bore and measure the gap, then you know that both the ring end gap is right and that the bore is not too worn or bored too large.
Hopefully it will now run like new, with out the slight oil burning issue.

 

[skidsteer.ca]

Impressive.
I was told many years ago when doing an engine, put the rings in the bore and measure the gap, then you know that both the ring end gap is right and that the bore is not too worn or bored too large.
Hopefully it will now run like new, with out the slight oil burning issue.

Coming along nicely

 

[Don Shilling]

Coming along nicely

WOW! I can't believe how long it's been since I've last posted here,,,, Time sure flies when you're taking a nap at my age ! Anyway, I had to sell enough good junk on Craigslist to finance all the new,hydraulic hoses. With the engine assembled I test ran it for several hours with no oil leaks or other problems. After placing the engine in the frame, I had to hook up the oil circuit before I ran the engine again. Now I'll test run and check for hydraulic leaks or funny noises before I proceed further. Tomorrow I have to "bite the bullet" and purchase 15 gallons of 30W engine oil. My 17 year old grandson has already claimed this machine for his inheritance. I told him "Fine, but don't get in any hurry".

 

[Don Shilling]

WOW! I can't believe how long it's been since I've last posted here,,,, Time sure flies when you're taking a nap at my age ! Anyway, I had to sell enough good junk on Craigslist to finance all the new,hydraulic hoses. With the engine assembled I test ran it for several hours with no oil leaks or other problems. After placing the engine in the frame, I had to hook up the oil circuit before I ran the engine again. Now I'll test run and check for hydraulic leaks or funny noises before I proceed further. Tomorrow I have to "bite the bullet" and purchase 15 gallons of 30W engine oil. My 17 year old grandson has already claimed this machine for his inheritance. I told him "Fine, but don't get in any hurry".

I'll try to insert the pics here.

 

[Tazza]

I'll try to insert the pics here.

Looking good, getting closer and closer.
I advise that you don't accept any food from your son, unless you have a taster to check it for you
Looks like you have got all the hardest parts done. I have a 743 for a mad mate in about the same spot. I just need to find the time to complete it.....

 

[User34]

I'll try to insert the pics here.

Hello, I've been following your rebuild and just found a used '74 CL-30 on craigslist. I picked it up today for $1000, even. I'm pretty new to (working on) loaders. It looks great but the guy I bought it from said one of the hydraulic hoses is busted and its (very) low on fluid. Consequently, the machine barely crawled up on my trailer and now I'm wondering what the cost and process is to replace that hose and, quite likely, service the hydro system. Any thoughts as to what someone should charge me for that? Much appreciated, thanks.

 

[Don Shilling]

Hello, I've been following your rebuild and just found a used '74 CL-30 on craigslist. I picked it up today for $1000, even. I'm pretty new to (working on) loaders. It looks great but the guy I bought it from said one of the hydraulic hoses is busted and its (very) low on fluid. Consequently, the machine barely crawled up on my trailer and now I'm wondering what the cost and process is to replace that hose and, quite likely, service the hydro system. Any thoughts as to what someone should charge me for that? Much appreciated, thanks.

I have replied to Ralph by email and have asked him to start a thread detailing his progress in getting his old lady up and running again.

 

[Don Shilling]

I have replied to Ralph by email and have asked him to start a thread detailing his progress in getting his old lady up and running again.

Well, I purchased 15 gallons of oil from Tractor Supply. Their Travelers brand 10W30 was the best price I could find. I put 10 gallons in the tank and started the engine. No blowouts so that's a good sign, however, I found a steering motor hose fitting leaking. I noticed it was a little odd feeling when I was assembling it. Not a crossthread but a little stiff anyways. I'll have a new hose assembly and a motor fitting made up next week. I also noticed leakage around one of the spool valves on the front cylinder control valves. I'll clean and paint my spare control assembly and see how it does before I rebuild either one. When I get these two leaks fixed, it will be a dry machine. Wouldn't that be something? A hydraulic machine that doesn't leave a trail,,,,,,,,,