Thanks again guys ...
I don't know about "there was never any doubt", because truthfully, I was sweating bullets over this whole ordeal and I prayed it would come out good. Never having done this, it wasn't exactly encouraging to me.
I was soooo close to saying "screw it, I'm selling it".
But I got to thinking about all the stuff I've done with that tractor ... all the improvements and modifications I've done to it over the years. I just couldn't get rid of it. Most of the stuff I broke (other than this) was due to operator malfunction. Which I could've broken on any other brand tractor ... regardless. Crashing into a boulder and snapping off a tie rod end for example, or churning the gears forward and backwards at high speed with 2,500lbs in the bucket in 4wd stressed and eventually broke my front drive gears. All those things would have screwed up any other tractor too (IMHO), because most warn against doing so right in the owners manual.
The little annoyances of owning a Chinese tractor like things not being machined exactly right are easy to fix (but annoying nevertheless). The electrical problems, which I know nothing about are a pain too. But now, one phone call and "POOF" Larry is here to fix it in 9 minutes. So I can live with it. I figure I've saved pretty close to $100,000 (no kidding because I got quotes for several projects) in dirt work, backhoe work, road work, plowing, mowing etc. Quite an outstanding return for a tractor that I paid $10,800 bucks for. Throw in the Koyker loader with 72" bucket, an 8' Nardi Backhoe, a Howse 6' Rotary Cutter, my famous 7' Howse Boxblade and Leinbach Post hole digger, the package went all the way up to $18,500 for all of it. I had to pay $2,000 for shipping to my property, so if you count that, the total was just over 20 grand delivered to my doorstep (campsite back then). Not bad for all that I saved. How many guys can say that their tractor has paid for itself almost 5 times over in 4-1/2 years? Yeah, I've spent money on modifications, regular maintenance and repairs over 5 years, but a lot of that is normal. I do all my own maintenance and repairs (and even mods) so my expenses are way less than having to take it to the dealer for service or repairs (or mods). It just goes to show you that owning a Chinese tractor may not be for everyone. If you don't (or can't) do the work yourself, it may end up not being such a good deal after all. In my case I view it as a great deal.
I've been through just about every part on that tractor by now.
Just about everything is either OK as is, or has been modified or improved to American standards. I've always posted both the success stories and failures equally, so you guys know the good, the bad and the ugly about this tractor.
Even though I didn't end up balancing the pistons and rods, I did make a chart of all the measurements, fits and tolerances. I also have a book for all the Napa replacement parts. This is of most value since I know I can get parts for it. This project took me to another level of tractor ownership. It's given me more confidence...that I can overcome even some of the greater problems. Certainly a lot more satisfaction.
It's been pouring here as I see it is over much of our state and others.
Even so, I think, later, I'll take Huge Kama out and hook up the FEL and maybe the backhoe. I am still in a semi-unconscious state of shock that it runs so well and smooth, with a lot of oil pressure. And at the same time, I feel exhausted, if you know what I mean.
I was also gonna go pig hunting earlier today because I saw rooting ALL OVER Murder Meadow right in front of South Camp where Brian visited me the first time and Larry and Ken stayed when they visited. But I couldn't wait to check out the forum first.
Rob-
