I'm 74 and the way you made the gasket (about 40:00) is the way my father showed me when I was a preteen. It was responsible for many a machine getting to run again during the depression AND WW II. I have used it many many times. You have done it perfectly. Oh and I always do the bolt holes BEFORE the larger openings so the gasket stays stiff. You make a person proud of younger people.
I'm coming up to 80 years old and that's how I was taught to "cut" my gaskets !! Works every time and sure is a lot cheaper (and a whole lot more satisfying when you make your own !!) Thanks for sharing, my friend !!
Cat radiators are expensive, so one time my Dad decided to buy an aftermarket. That thing flopped around like a fish out of water. Didn't take long to fail.
Making that gasket is exactly how my Grandfather showed my brother and I in how to make them back in late 50's or maybe early 60's. I didn't know others knew this trick. Good job. Love your channel.
It's true, just remember the opposite also has value. Any job worth doing is worth doing terribly. That way, it's at least working until you can do better. It's a good way to motivate you to do stuff rather than waiting.
I've seen all this series of videos on the TracCavator several months ago, but today I wanted to watch them again. Glad I did. You've really stuck with this project. Look forward to the next ones.
The radiator rebuild/overhaul was fascinating. From what I see, you are patient, positive and passionate. And those my friend are recognized qualities of a skilled teacher. Peace.
I applaud your tenacity and your attention to detail - that frozen drain plug will not get the best of you! I will never, ever be in a situation where I need to restore an old Caterpillar but... the lessons learned in your videos are applicable to so many other situations. Great content! Keep up the good work.
Nice to see a fairly young guy who knows the old school ways of repairing a radiator. Back in the 80s and 90s when I was a automotive technician, we only installed a new radiator as a last resort. We would pull it after pressuring testing and send it to one of the 3 guys in our area who had their own radiator repair shops to have the radiator boiled out and repaired. Now, those shops are gone, no one repairs radiators anymore, you just replace the cheap plastic and aluminum radiator with another cheap plastic and aluminum radiator.
I hear you on this one. I have the chance in my town there's one of the 2 or 3 last radiator shop in the sector, they are still alive because of industrial machinery and HVAC systems, that need very specific cores and form factor, that can't be replaced by off-the-shelf crappy components. The cherry on top is that they work with non professional consumers, drop your old car radiator, it will be repaired, no matter what. I brought them a lot of industrial radiators over time, I was turned down twice for repairs, once the radiator frame was too busted to do anything and the second was too big for them to work on it, but they still found solutions in both cases.
I enjoyed the slow pace of seeing someone cared and wanted the job 'done right from end to end'. It is many years since I did such things or saw others make gaskets, clean off and redo solder work, but a pleasure to watch. The change from more than 55 years ago is you sensibly wore hand protection. You want this machine to live again, it showed.
Equipment so repairable but very heavy iron ..very pleased to see he new how to keep his hands to one side in case of stuff slipping loose a finger in a lnstant good to see..👍
At a time when some of us older ones don’t look favourably on the next generation, you come along. Keep up the quest for fixing old things and inventing new things. Working alone in the dark, in a remote barn, with limited tools and only your wits to guide you...how can you not succeed. Honestly, keep it up!
I have to commend you on your patience !! A lot of people would never attempt to do what you had to do. You are a man who sets his mind to get it done and then goes for it !! I salute you !! Best wishes for ALL you tackle !
Another bear down! Whew......your work ethic and knowledge makes watching your videos interesting. I may never drive a tractor, but I will know something about them. Thank you lots for sharing your love of bringing back forgotten machines, tools, etc. Peace ✨
Hey Man! You taught me more stuff just now than i learned all my life! I'm 55! I used to work on skidders u name it back in the late 70 to 80's. We didn't have the tools then but you are amazing! Thanks. My old boss that taught me died of cancer. He would have loved this show! Me too back then! Keep up the good work and i'll sure be watching as II still "piddle" with stuff.
Seeing the gasket bonding now. Never guess what we used? Yellow weatherstrip and gasket maker. Stuff works great ,,,, Unless you ever want to take it back apart lol
I used to have old ball bearings of all sizes for cutting the gasket holes, in the old days nearly all gasket were home made. you made a good job of yours.
My grandfather told me.... You can do anything you set your mind too.... Maybe not as good as others can but you will achieve great results.... I was about 7 or 8 at the time with almost no education and I managed big companies and conquered many obstacles learning many skills from welding... Building engines.. Making 50 foot band saws... When you commented on making a copper gasket and saying it was your first attempt it put a big grin on my face... YOU have great skills mate I am enjoying each segment watching you I call you muti skilled... Thanks Ed
Having watched this series so far it's nice to see knowledge, skill and care come together, plus a lot of affection. The previous owners would have been proud of you. You explain things well in an easy to understand style. Great videos. Others on youtube. would do well to copy your style.
Your attention to detail sorting the myriad of problems is commendable. Like the previous poster said, “I a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing well.” Great radiator repair.
Your a very ingenious guy, i find you videos very entertaining. i worked for a museum in Ontario Can for 31 years so i can relate. Feels like i'm standing there while you work....i really appreciate your work ethic as well.
This restoration brings back childhood memories as my neighbor had one of these Cat 955 machines, but it had a cage/cab over the top. It was used to dig the pond on my parents' horse farm back in the mid 1970s. The sound of that motor brings back the good memories! I like how you do things... the right way, without cutting corners. I think we would get along well. You know what they say for most people? "There's never enough time to do it right the first time but there always seems to be enough time to do it over when it fails!"
Hi, that thing with the fitting on is the equilizer bar centre pin. It needs to be secured with bolts. The fitting in the pin is for a connecting grease pipe that goes to a point higher up, next to the engine somewhere where there should be another fitting with a grease nipple. This makes it more convenient for that pin to be greased.
Commenting to make sure this post gets noticed. You definitely don't want that pin to fall out. You may need to jack the machine up a little to release the tension and push that all the way back in. Have a pair of 20t bottle jacks you can borrow, it'll only cost you return airfares from Australia...
Equalizer bar is will need a new bushing along with a new pin. The pin is loose because the top of the bar is bearing on the bottom of the frame. The connection is totally worn out.
Nice work sir and I grew up on a family farm and learned how to work on engines , pumps, tractors, equipment and used many of the same methods you did. We did not always have time to wait on parts or a mechanic due to the timing of crops. You are doing a great job with that old Cat !!
You earned a SUB when you took the top of the radiator off. Nice to see you go the extra step while it was apart. It makes a difference that you weren't trying to use it to get something done at that moment. But it will serve you better in the future because of the effort.
So refreshing to see you doing the whole job right, no shortcuts. So many videos where the minimum is done, leaving broken bolts, etc., just to get the symptom fixed, only to let someone fix the *problem* next time (and probably sooner than later). Maybe I would have put in a new thermostat...? Great job.
Your a champ mate . Love watching you and old red. You seem very knowledgeable for such a young bloke. Keep up the good work. Mike from Western Australia ( gods country )
I really like your videos. I spent 2 hours watching them and I was addicted. You are really authentic and I admire that you never give up and always go the extra yard to do the best job you can. Great videos mate, thanks
Awesome job... way to overcome the obstacles you faced! And yes, I have those moments you mentioned. When instinct to get the job done right wrestles with desire to get the job DONE. I have found that the instinct has a conscience, and if I don't take the time, it'll nag me until I go back and finish it properly.
Im an engineer an have also been throughout the riggers of life in every way. Failure is never an option just a hurdle we cross. Loving the rebirth of the cat. Big up buddy. Dj 😉
Watch from start to the radiator. All that work, with the pony motor, fuel line carburetor, fuel tank cleaning checking. The radiator alone is a huge job. Very time consuming. Great work. Great video.
I save a few brass casings from when I target shoot various rifles, handguns. They cut through gasket material easily with a tap or two from a rubber mallet. There's a wide variety of diameters available as well. Of course it's not as beneficial when your not at your shop. Carrying around various brass casings just for one purpose isn't very efficient. I appreciate all the work you put into making these videos. I've learned so much from this series alone. Thank you!
You SIR are a man after my own heart! I love your attention to detail and your commitment to see a job through no matter the obstacles! BRAVO YOUNG MAN BRAVO!
You Sir, are a true craftsman, thorough in your work & thinking of how to repair/rebuild the item that you are working on... the world needs more dedicated people like yourself, less stuff would be thrown away
Very impressed with your desire to make it best you can and not do a go back and re due. When you are finished yo will be glad you took the extra step!
Aloha, it's nice to see a younger person tapping gaskets, I see so many on you-tubers, drawing around with a pencil and then cutting the holes and openings with scissors. This gasket tapping is the way we used to do a lot of things, the old saying, "you need a bigger hammer" has some credibility. A suggestion though is when you installed the radiator core, and put gasket sealer on the surfaces I always used a small stud or I cut the head off a bolt then screwing them in opposite corners or as needed, and it keeps everything in alignment. You can set the core over the studs without fear of moving the gasket install the other bolts the replace the studs with their required bolts. Working alone with heavy objects is much easier as they are guided into place via the studs. I had a whole drawer in my toolbox full of such needed guides. Enjoy the walk and envy you the find, but at 80 years old what would I do with a track-loader. My old JD 2440 gets me in enough trouble. Keep it coming and good luck on the project.
My dad was a mechanic and taught me how to do this years ago and has got me out of some jams. One thing he did tell me was to not use a hammer as it is hardened steel. He had brass drifts with a flat ends and rounded ends. Hardened steel hammer faces are OK on these big old machines but modern alloy engine heads will just get dinged up if you use a hammer. Lovin watching you get this going.
I thoroughly enjoyed you going that step further to do it right. Your making sure the cores were soldered securely, chasing all those threads, making gaskets, is what's going to make that CAT purr for another 50 years. All those little things you do will make the difference between getting a job done and it having a problem while doing that job 👍👍
I like your attention to detail and fix it rather than fighting it later. The difference between us is I would have taken it to a radiator shop where they can pressurize the repair.
Sooo much better than the standard, "will it start" video. Where they get the engine to start, and maybe move the vehicle around and act like all is good. This shows where the real work begins.
Couple of suggestions. Tap magic is the best cutting fluid I’ve ever used. Using a cordless drill to run taps eliminates the need to add nuts to the end of each tap and you can adjust the chuck to slip if the tap locks up. Great job with the gasket. Loved the teaching moment showing your mistake. Another trick if you’re making a gasket out of thicker material like 1/4” rubber you can install set screws in the holes and tap on the rubber to make impressions and cut them out with punch’s. Don’t you just love it when a broken bolt comes out? Great channel keep up the good work.
A 12V drill or impact is great for small jobs like that. Smaller, lighter, and not enough power to get you in trouble. When I work on cars, I'll break bolts loose and use the 12V to spin them off and then start them back on. I'll use the 18V and 20V impacts only when I really need the power.
That was the best video I've seen on TH-cam and I have seen many of them. Thanks for your patience young man, you remind me of my late father he had the same attitude and patience you had. Look forward to more of your work.
Sir, you are an inspiration, on the principle of doing the job right the first time and I love your symbology of the seemingly impossible to remove bolt, in overcoming tough challenges. I might have been considering C4 as a way to get it out but your way was a lot less damaging.
I've always enjoyed heavy equipment rebuilds but most of them are time lapse which is sooo frustrating. THIS is a joy to watch. Just wish it was longer. lol Thanks so much for the whole story,,, so far.
Thank for putting so much effort in your videos, great camera angles, good plain explanations, you are a gifted craftsman. Your common sense approach is refreshing. 👍
Great to see this machine getting the love it deserves from someone who takes so much care in their work. It's going to stay fixed and live for ever. That diesel sounds so sweet it sounds like it just came out of showroom not a barn! Great video, loads of detail and really enjoyable thank you.
You are the second person I have seen that runs a tap threw to clean and straiten the threads I've always run a bolt threw never thought about using a tap fantastic idea I will definitely do that in the future great work ! Thanks .
Good call on doing the top of the radiator, half measures avail us nothing. Like your approach to repair/ rebuild on “ ole Red”. Right the first time because you have or take the time to do it over. Thanks for the ride along.
Mate you must be stoked with fixing that leak. So satisfying. You should make a keyring out if the plug bolt you got out in memory of your efforts. Loving the videos!
Great work! Little tech tip for punching holes in gasket paper: Use a bolt with a dome nut on the end as a punch so you don't have to hit the holes as precisely with your hammer.
That was a great episode which so many things to learn! Not only on engineering but also in the way we see the failures in our lives. A Life lesson! (I'm referring to that staborn drain valve). You did so great job with this radiator which I doubt if anyone could have done it better! Thanks for this episode!
Hi my name is Russell Eller. I was a mechanic specializing in hydraulics and power trains for the Cat dealership in Birmingham Alabama for 44 years. I have worked on that model. The hole where the hydraulic oil is leaking is called a weep hole. It tells you that the seals around the hydraulic pump shaft have failed. That is a Vickers vane type pump and is simple to repair. Watched your radiator repair and enjoyed it greatly. Looking forward to seeing more videos. Thanks for keeping Old Red going.
Old school young man. No one makes gaskets anymore. I've been a operator for over 50 years. You are bringing back a lot of memories. Thanks!
I'm 75 and I appreciate your attention to detail and pride in workmanship...it's what built America.
I'm 74 and the way you made the gasket (about 40:00) is the way my father showed me when I was a preteen. It was responsible for many a machine getting to run again during the depression AND WW II. I have used it many many times. You have done it perfectly. Oh and I always do the bolt holes BEFORE the larger openings so the gasket stays stiff. You make a person proud of younger people.
I'm coming up to 80 years old and that's how I was taught to "cut" my gaskets !! Works every time and sure is a lot cheaper (and a whole lot more satisfying when you make your own !!) Thanks for sharing, my friend !!
Cannot overstate the usefulness of somebody explaining and demonstrating in clear and simple terms how to repair an old radiator.
Exactly what I was thinking
Amazing what some TLC, new gaskets and bolts in every hole will do !
@@jackpatteeuw9244 True, but it was a bit more than a little TLC, trust me!
Cat radiators are expensive, so one time my Dad decided to buy an aftermarket. That thing flopped around like a fish out of water. Didn't take long to fail.
@@jackpatteeuw9244
I’m just trying
Making that gasket is exactly how my Grandfather showed my brother and I in how to make them back in late 50's or maybe early 60's. I didn't know others knew this trick. Good job. Love your channel.
Reminds me of an old saying my grandfather used to preach to me. "Any job worth doing, is worth doing right". Excellent video!
Just Me And mine similarly said, do it right the first time and there won’t be a next time
This is the best comment, I’ve heard the saying and it’s the absolute truth!
My grandpa told me that and "If you know how to fix it, don't let anyone fix it for you".
It's true, just remember the opposite also has value. Any job worth doing is worth doing terribly. That way, it's at least working until you can do better. It's a good way to motivate you to do stuff rather than waiting.
This is true when working for yourself, no good stretching out a job for the overtime if you not being paid
I've seen all this series of videos on the TracCavator several months ago, but today I wanted to watch them again. Glad I did. You've really stuck with this project. Look forward to the next ones.
Wow you went above and beyond with your work. Not many people like you are left doing work, being thoural. Awesome work.
The radiator rebuild/overhaul was fascinating. From what I see, you are patient, positive and passionate. And those my friend are recognized qualities of a skilled teacher. Peace.
I applaud your tenacity and your attention to detail - that frozen drain plug will not get the best of you! I will never, ever be in a situation where I need to restore an old Caterpillar but... the lessons learned in your videos are applicable to so many other situations. Great content! Keep up the good work.
Nice to see a fairly young guy who knows the old school ways of repairing a radiator. Back in the 80s and 90s when I was a automotive technician, we only installed a new radiator as a last resort. We would pull it after pressuring testing and send it to one of the 3 guys in our area who had their own radiator repair shops to have the radiator boiled out and repaired. Now, those shops are gone, no one repairs radiators anymore, you just replace the cheap plastic and aluminum radiator with another cheap plastic and aluminum radiator.
I hear you on this one. I have the chance in my town there's one of the 2 or 3 last radiator shop in the sector, they are still alive because of industrial machinery and HVAC systems, that need very specific cores and form factor, that can't be replaced by off-the-shelf crappy components. The cherry on top is that they work with non professional consumers, drop your old car radiator, it will be repaired, no matter what. I brought them a lot of industrial radiators over time, I was turned down twice for repairs, once the radiator frame was too busted to do anything and the second was too big for them to work on it, but they still found solutions in both cases.
Yes that is wasteful, just rip and replace rather than seal the leaks
@@neilfranklin5644 Thank China who lacks iron ore instead they were using recycled waste for there metal product's.
I enjoyed the slow pace of seeing someone cared and wanted the job 'done right from end to end'. It is many years since I did such things or saw others make gaskets, clean off and redo solder work, but a pleasure to watch. The change from more than 55 years ago is you sensibly wore hand protection. You want this machine to live again, it showed.
Thank you Richard! I definitely want this old beast to LIVE again! Lot's more to come!
Richard Jones When I was a nipper used work on heavy duty vehicles ..loved the engineering of both American &british
Equipment so repairable but very heavy iron ..very pleased to see he new how to keep his hands to one side in case of stuff slipping loose a finger in a lnstant good to see..👍
Your attention to detail is amazing and a credit to whomever taught you 🏴👍🏻
At a time when some of us older ones don’t look favourably on the next generation, you come along. Keep up the quest for fixing old things and inventing new things. Working alone in the dark, in a remote barn, with limited tools and only your wits to guide you...how can you not succeed. Honestly, keep it up!
A real pleasure to watch a true craftsman at work. Excellent camera work and editing. Can't wait to see Ol' Red at work.
Neill
England. UK
Thank you Neill! I truly appreciate it!
I have to commend you on your patience !! A lot of people would never attempt to do what you had to do. You are a man who sets his mind to get it done and then goes for it !! I salute you !! Best wishes for ALL you tackle !
This entire video series to date is just exquisite on so many levels.
Another bear down! Whew......your work ethic and knowledge makes watching your videos interesting. I may never drive a tractor, but I will know something about them. Thank you lots for sharing your love of bringing back forgotten machines, tools, etc. Peace ✨
I'm impressed with how meticulous you're doing everything. Not leaving anything to chance. Great job😁👍
Old skool logic from a young man. My faith in humanity is restored. Thanks from Coquitlam,B.C., Canada.
Well done "Do it once do it right don't have to do it again." Only thing could of painted while it was out saves time 😊 respect
I enjoy your can do attitude, heat beat , scream , but never ever give up . Nice video sir
I appreciate that! Glad you enjoyed it!
The reason your rebuild worked is because of your philosophy of going that one extra step to make sure everything is covered. Well done buddy
It a Joy to see you working you know what you do and you never give up and solve the problem
Thank you for the Video
Yours Frank
Attention to detail is just superb,quality job 👍
Hey Man! You taught me more stuff just now than i learned all my life! I'm 55! I used to work on skidders u name it back in the late 70 to 80's. We didn't have the tools then but you are amazing! Thanks. My old boss that taught me died of cancer. He would have loved this show! Me too back then! Keep up the good work and i'll sure be watching as II still "piddle" with stuff.
Seeing the gasket bonding now. Never guess what we used? Yellow weatherstrip and gasket maker. Stuff works great ,,,, Unless you ever want to take it back apart lol
I could watch you work all day!
Well you can! I have quite a few other videos!
I used to have old ball bearings of all sizes for cutting the gasket holes, in the old days nearly all gasket were home made. you made a good job of yours.
More patience than I’ll ever have. Lol. These videos have been the best and most intriguing I’ve ever watched on TH-cam.
My grandfather told me.... You can do anything you set your mind too.... Maybe not as good as others can but you will achieve great results.... I was about 7 or 8 at the time with almost no education and I managed big companies and conquered many obstacles learning many skills from welding... Building engines.. Making 50 foot band saws...
When you commented on making a copper gasket and saying it was your first attempt it put a big grin on my face...
YOU have great skills mate
I am enjoying each segment watching you
I call you muti skilled...
Thanks Ed
Having watched this series so far it's nice to see knowledge, skill and care come together, plus a lot of affection. The previous owners would have been proud of you. You explain things well in an easy to understand style. Great videos. Others on youtube. would do well to copy your style.
Your attention to detail sorting the myriad of problems is commendable. Like the previous poster said, “I a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing well.” Great radiator repair.
I think I like this channel so much more, because there isn't a lot of background music, and the quality of work. always learnin!
Well done young man your a good mechanic and remember it's never wasted time working on any caterpillar there the best
Your a very ingenious guy, i find you videos very entertaining. i worked for a museum in Ontario Can for 31 years so i can relate. Feels like i'm standing there while you work....i really appreciate your work ethic as well.
This restoration brings back childhood memories as my neighbor had one of these Cat 955 machines, but it had a cage/cab over the top. It was used to dig the pond on my parents' horse farm back in the mid 1970s. The sound of that motor brings back the good memories! I like how you do things... the right way, without cutting corners. I think we would get along well. You know what they say for most people? "There's never enough time to do it right the first time but there always seems to be enough time to do it over when it fails!"
Yes. Though my saying: The laziest way to do something is to do it right the first time.
Hi, that thing with the fitting on is the equilizer bar centre pin. It needs to be secured with bolts. The fitting in the pin is for a connecting grease pipe that goes to a point higher up, next to the engine somewhere where there should be another fitting with a grease nipple. This makes it more convenient for that pin to be greased.
yep you are right. I'm sure the bushing is wasted
@@drich6816 judging by how loose and how far out it is, i'd say you're right
Commenting to make sure this post gets noticed.
You definitely don't want that pin to fall out.
You may need to jack the machine up a little to release the tension and push that all the way back in.
Have a pair of 20t bottle jacks you can borrow, it'll only cost you return airfares from Australia...
Equalizer bar is will need a new bushing along with a new pin. The pin is loose because the top of the bar is bearing on the bottom of the frame. The connection is totally worn out.
adding to the reply's so that they'll get noticed. Found this which may help:
th-cam.com/video/JR-J-yqIyzg/w-d-xo.html
Nice work sir and I grew up on a family farm and learned how to work on engines , pumps, tractors, equipment and used many of the same methods you did. We did not always have time to wait on parts or a mechanic due to the timing of crops. You are doing a great job with that old Cat !!
You earned a SUB when you took the top of the radiator off.
Nice to see you go the extra step while it was apart.
It makes a difference that you weren't trying to use it to get something done at that moment. But it will serve you better in the future because of the effort.
Man, your work ethic is terrific, and your attention to detail is amazing.
So refreshing to see you doing the whole job right, no shortcuts. So many videos where the minimum is done, leaving broken bolts, etc., just to get the symptom fixed, only to let someone fix the *problem* next time (and probably sooner than later).
Maybe I would have put in a new thermostat...?
Great job.
It's been a LOT of work, but I knew that going in! Glad you enjoyed it!
Your a champ mate . Love watching you and old red. You seem very knowledgeable for such a young bloke. Keep up the good work.
Mike from Western Australia ( gods country )
I really like your videos. I spent 2 hours watching them and I was addicted. You are really authentic and I admire that you never give up and always go the extra yard to do the best job you can. Great videos mate, thanks
You are a pattern of what we need more of. A good conscience to guide you to a good ending!
Thank you Jim!
Old Red purrs nice. I so admire your patience and skills. Great!!
Thank you very much Larry!
You have wisdom far beyond your years.
Awesome job... way to overcome the obstacles you faced! And yes, I have those moments you mentioned. When instinct to get the job done right wrestles with desire to get the job DONE. I have found that the instinct has a conscience, and if I don't take the time, it'll nag me until I go back and finish it properly.
Im an engineer an have also been throughout the riggers of life in every way.
Failure is never an option just a hurdle we cross.
Loving the rebirth of the cat.
Big up buddy.
Dj 😉
Watch from start to the radiator. All that work, with the pony motor, fuel line carburetor, fuel tank cleaning checking. The radiator alone is a huge job. Very time consuming. Great work. Great video.
I save a few brass casings from when I target shoot various rifles, handguns. They cut through gasket material easily with a tap or two from a rubber mallet. There's a wide variety of diameters available as well. Of course it's not as beneficial when your not at your shop. Carrying around various brass casings just for one purpose isn't very efficient.
I appreciate all the work you put into making these videos. I've learned so much from this series alone. Thank you!
I admire your skills, work ethic, sticktoitiveness, geterdone attitude, and the patience and wisdom you have !!!
It's nice to see one old school mechanic doing it right doing it so it'll last .👍👍👍👍👍
When I look and see machines like this it makes me wander about the 1950s and 60s
Also great job with the explanations it helps alot.
You SIR are a man after my own heart! I love your attention to detail and your commitment to see a job through no matter the obstacles! BRAVO YOUNG MAN BRAVO!
Thank you Walter! I truly appreciate it! I always try my best!
You Sir, are a true craftsman, thorough in your work & thinking of how to repair/rebuild the item that you are working on... the world needs more dedicated people like yourself, less stuff would be thrown away
There are mechanics, and there are parts-changers.
Fitters and bodge iters
Very impressed with your desire to make it best you can and not do a go back and re due. When you are finished yo will be glad you took the extra step!
Love your work! I can sit and watch this kind of work/restoration all day long
This series on the Cat has been fantastic, great camera angles, editing and content. Thanks so much
agreed, this work needs more viewers
I'm a retired machinist/mechanic great rapair. Keep up the good work.
Wasn't expecting to get a life lesson advice from loosening a bolt but I couldn't help click a like and write to say thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it! Lots more to come!
furionese You got it fella...
Aloha, it's nice to see a younger person tapping gaskets, I see so many on you-tubers, drawing around with a pencil and then cutting the holes and openings with scissors. This gasket tapping is the way we used to do a lot of things, the old saying, "you need a bigger hammer" has some credibility. A suggestion though is when you installed the radiator core, and put gasket sealer on the surfaces I always used a small stud or I cut the head off a bolt then screwing them in opposite corners or as needed, and it keeps everything in alignment. You can set the core over the studs without fear of moving the gasket install the other bolts the replace the studs with their required bolts. Working alone with heavy objects is much easier as they are guided into place via the studs. I had a whole drawer in my toolbox full of such needed guides. Enjoy the walk and envy you the find, but at 80 years old what would I do with a track-loader. My old JD 2440 gets me in enough trouble. Keep it coming and good luck on the project.
How does a person your age have so much knowledge about metal, old machines, gears, brazing, etc.?? I enjoy watching your channel!
Mister, I love you work ethnic, your dogged determination & quality standards, what more to say?
Sir,
you would make one hell of a teacher. GREAT VIDEO
Wonderful job on the Radiator!! You are a amazing Mechanic!!
The engine runs a lot better now you got the radiator fixed! If i lived closer, I'd be your helper, just to learn from you!
My dad was a mechanic and taught me how to do this years ago and has got me out of some jams. One thing he did tell me was to not use a hammer as it is hardened steel. He had brass drifts with a flat ends and rounded ends. Hardened steel hammer faces are OK on these big old machines but modern alloy engine heads will just get dinged up if you use a hammer. Lovin watching you get this going.
I thoroughly enjoyed you going that step further to do it right. Your making sure the cores were soldered securely, chasing all those threads, making gaskets, is what's going to make that CAT purr for another 50 years. All those little things you do will make the difference between getting a job done and it having a problem while doing that job 👍👍
I like your attention to detail and fix it rather than fighting it later. The difference between us is I would have taken it to a radiator shop where they can pressurize the repair.
That radiator work was 🔥! Great Work!
Sooo much better than the standard, "will it start" video. Where they get the engine to start, and maybe move the vehicle around and act like all is good. This shows where the real work begins.
Great attention to detail ,I love old stuff like you cheers from Australia
Couple of suggestions. Tap magic is the best cutting fluid I’ve ever used. Using a cordless drill to run taps eliminates the need to add nuts to the end of each tap and you can adjust the chuck to slip if the tap locks up. Great job with the gasket. Loved the teaching moment showing your mistake. Another trick if you’re making a gasket out of thicker material like 1/4” rubber you can install set screws in the holes and tap on the rubber to make impressions and cut them out with punch’s. Don’t you just love it when a broken bolt comes out? Great channel keep up the good work.
A 12V drill or impact is great for small jobs like that. Smaller, lighter, and not enough power to get you in trouble. When I work on cars, I'll break bolts loose and use the 12V to spin them off and then start them back on. I'll use the 18V and 20V impacts only when I really need the power.
That was the best video I've seen on TH-cam and I have seen many of them. Thanks for your patience young man, you remind me of my late father he had the same attitude and patience you had. Look forward to more of your work.
I found myself rooting for him to get those bolts out. I’m impressed with your work and your attitude towards it!
that's the most love and attention she's seen for a few decades that's for sure
It's good to see you hard at work. I LOVE hard work. I can sit and watch it for hours.
Sir, you are an inspiration, on the principle of doing the job right the first time and I love your symbology of the seemingly impossible to remove bolt, in overcoming tough challenges. I might have been considering C4 as a way to get it out but your way was a lot less damaging.
I've always enjoyed heavy equipment rebuilds but most of them are time lapse which is sooo frustrating. THIS is a joy to watch. Just wish it was longer. lol Thanks so much for the whole story,,, so far.
Glad you enjoyed it! Have no fear, there is MORE to come!
Hello, I truly enjoy you putting life back in that old machine. Thank you!
Thank for putting so much effort in your videos, great camera angles, good plain explanations, you are a gifted craftsman. Your common sense approach is refreshing. 👍
Love your work ethic that is also the way I was taught to make a gasket they always fit better than the manufactured ones.
Great to see this machine getting the love it deserves from someone who takes so much care in their work. It's going to stay fixed and live for ever. That diesel sounds so sweet it sounds like it just came out of showroom not a barn! Great video, loads of detail and really enjoyable thank you.
doing both sides isn't your intelligence speaking to you it is your integrity, your integrity is telling you to do the job right the first time.
You are the second person I have seen that runs a tap threw to clean and straiten the threads I've always run a bolt threw never thought about using a tap fantastic idea I will definitely do that in the future great work ! Thanks .
Or a thread chaser
Good call on doing the top of the radiator, half measures avail us nothing. Like your approach to repair/ rebuild on “ ole Red”. Right the first time because you have or take the time to do it over. Thanks for the ride along.
A valuable lesson in patience and preserverence.
Awesome job. You have patience and determination. Great job.
Mate you must be stoked with fixing that leak. So satisfying. You should make a keyring out if the plug bolt you got out in memory of your efforts. Loving the videos!
Thanks for posting and sharing. Really great progress, especially getting that stuck plug free.
Great work! Little tech tip for punching holes in gasket paper: Use a bolt with a dome nut on the end as a punch so you don't have to hit the holes as precisely with your hammer.
That was a great episode which so many things to learn! Not only on engineering but also in the way we see the failures in our lives. A Life lesson! (I'm referring to that staborn drain valve). You did so great job with this radiator which I doubt if anyone could have done it better! Thanks for this episode!
I’m glad that pile of straw didn’t catch on fire when you were welding and using the torch.
If Old Red could, he'd give you a big Catapiller kiss.
Loved the gasket making tip! TY! Excited to see the next video in your repair process of this mighty beast!
Hi my name is Russell Eller. I was a mechanic specializing in hydraulics and power trains for the Cat dealership in Birmingham Alabama for 44 years. I have worked on that model. The hole where the hydraulic oil is leaking is called a weep hole. It tells you that the seals around the hydraulic pump shaft have failed. That is a Vickers vane type pump and is simple to repair. Watched your radiator repair and enjoyed it greatly. Looking forward to seeing more videos. Thanks for keeping Old Red going.
You, sir, will be a success in anything you try. ATTITUDE!!
Thank you my friend!
It's amazing you are tackling this task by yourselves, good job!!!
Your diligence and ‘stick-to-it-ness’ is to be admired
Loved the moment where you mentally checked in and corrected your path. Good call.