Colt Case Ingersoll Garden Tractors

Last night I had some spare time so I decided to spend it working on the tractor. When I purchased it, there was some debris between the hood and heat shield from a nest made by mice. So I decided to take out the shop vac and clean it up. Got most of the nest out but I could see that with time it caused rust that ate up a corner of the headlight housing and one of the braket. Close up the hood and... headlights don't work anymore!!

Decided to remove the heat shield to access the headlight to see what's going on. I couldn't get the bottom bolt out, it was rusted out. After trying all the ideas i could think of and pliers I had I ended up having to drill it out.

I decided to turn the tractor around to get better lighting to find out there is a bit of a leak coming from behind the panel where the hydraulic oil filter is located. I still have to change the oil so I'm hoping it will be a quick fix when I'm in there.

That was time to call it a night!!

FreddyFont wrote: ↑Tue Nov 22, 2022 10:21 am Last night I had some spare time so I decided to spend it working on the tractor. When I purchased it, there was some debris between the hood and heat shield from a nest made by mice. So I decided to take out the shop vac and clean it up. Got most of the nest out but I could see that with time it caused rust that ate up a corner of the headlight housing and one of the braket. Close up the hood and... headlights don't work anymore!!

Decided to remove the heat shield to access the headlight to see what's going on. I couldn't get the bottom bolt out, it was rusted out. After trying all the ideas i could think of and pliers I had I ended up having to drill it out.

I decided to turn the tractor around to get better lighting to find out there is a bit of a leak coming from behind the panel where the hydraulic oil filter is located. I still have to change the oil so I'm hoping it will be a quick fix when I'm in there.

That was time to call it a night!!

Sounds like good progress. Little by little issues get fixed and the tractor gets nicer and nicer.

I found that the two best solutions for surface rust are steel brush and krud kutter


This gel is pretty expensive but goes a long way. It's the only product that is easy to find around here that contains phosphoric acid. What I like about it leaves the steel with an oxide that is like a primer, ready to paint.


Unfortunately Ospho isn't easy to find if you're not in the US.

Thanks Eugen, I'll grab a bottle! I'll save the painting and rust scrubbing for the spring. Unless I don't get my hands on a blade or snowblower then I'll bring the hood inside and work on it then.

Quite frankly it felt more like a step back, especially after I found out they don't make the headlight anymore!

I had the same problem on my 648. It had a mouse nest up in the front too. I cleaned it out then they built another one and the same spot! They finally got the message and move on.

I think you can find a headlight assembly. You could try these guys. Some one here may know of some other places too.

FreddyFont wrote: ↑Tue Nov 22, 2022 7:40 pm Thanks Eugen, I'll grab a bottle! I'll save the painting and rust scrubbing for the spring. Unless I don't get my hands on a blade or snowblower then I'll bring the hood inside and work on it then.

Quite frankly it felt more like a step back, especially after I found out they don't make the headlight anymore!

Don't worry, you'll find headlights.

The rust treatment can be applied without scrubbing too. It inhibits the current rust and provides rust protection for a year (according to the literature). I have done this occasionally to delay rust until there's time to paint. But you probably noticed these tractors don't rust easily. I'm amazed by how resistant their metal is.

FreddyFont wrote: ↑Tue Nov 22, 2022 7:40 pm Thanks Eugen, I'll grab a bottle! I'll save the painting and rust scrubbing for the spring. Unless I don't get my hands on a blade or snowblower then I'll bring the hood inside and work on it then.

Quite frankly it felt more like a step back, especially after I found out they don't make the headlight anymore!

You will have to go to the used market ebay... for the headlight bucket. Often headlights not working is a grounding issue, these are grounded to the hood by the screws that hold the headlight in place, a little rust breaks the connection. The hood is grounded to the frame at the hood hinge, also susceptible to rust and crud build up. Many have run a wire from the engine block to the headlight buckets for a better ground, some have attached the wire to the buckets with rivets, small screws and nuts, I opted for copper tabs cut from a 1/2" copper pipe and soldered them to the buckets.


Gordy

@FreddyFont I have a number Case parts in the storage trailer . What exactly do you need ?

Since I found mice nests in my 226, I've been putting moth balls in a small netting bag like onions come in. I place it under the hood, and I have not found any mouse nests since.
Last winter I went to use my cutting torches which are stored in a wooden box of the back of the cart. There was a mouse nest inside, so I vacuumed it out with my shop vac. Then put in a moth ball bag and have not found a nest since. I figured they were walking up the hose which was hanging out the side of the box then into the hole in the side. Very energetic critters, I wish I had their energy! LOL!

Keep the
Harry

DavidBarkey wrote: ↑Wed Nov 23, 2022 6:03 am @FreddyFont I have a number Case parts in the storage trailer . What exactly do you need ?

I think I'll need a new headlight wire, the red one that goes in the headlight bucket, the wrapping was chewn off and I think it may have been the cause of my light problem. Maybe shorted out when I was in there with the shop vac?

I have a corner of one of the headlight bucket that was rusted out. Will be looking for one. Since its where the bracket was located. That little screw and bracket was located, doesn't look too sturdy without 2 brackets. That little screw was also a pain to remove

I think I'll need a new underhood heatshield. There is a 4x4 patch that is pretty rusted and the metal is pretty thin. I'll sand it and give it a coat of rust paint if it survive the sanding job. Its still usable, just not nice looking and I'm afraid with time the pieces will break from vibration.
Would it make a big difference if I don't put it back?

I'll admit I don't even own a thing to check if there is current going to the light ... I'll grab one tonight and check this out as a starting point.

@FreddyFont I think it would help if you posted a picture of the parts that you may need, or identify them in a parts manual. For instance I have no idea what the under hood heat shield is, I don't think i have that on any of my tractors.

Eugen wrote: ↑Wed Nov 23, 2022 11:08 am @FreddyFont I think it would help if you posted a picture of the parts that you may need, or identify them in a parts manual. For instance I have no idea what the under hood heat shield is, I don't think i have that on any of my tractors.

Ya pics. will help . I have a head light bucket with socket and wire . The rest I need to under stand better what you are talking about .

First of, thanks guys for trying to help!! Sorry for not being clear its a mix of English being my second language and my lack of mechanical stills!!

I did found a few ideas online to fix my light issue which I will attempt this evening...

Lets start over:

1 - This is the red wire that was chewed and the inner wire exposed: I "fixed it" with electrical tape.

2 - Headlight bucket that was damaged by the rust. The retainer is gone and its wobbly from being held by one retainer. I had a rough time getting that retainer screw out, there was lost of rust around that part. There is no more metal to hold the light firmly in place.
3 - This is the heat shield #15 / part C33567. It goes under the hood where the vents are. It's weird because it sits directly over the exhaust and blocks the exhaust fumes from going through the hood vents. You can't really access the headlight when its on.
4 - This is the electrical thing i just got to check if there is current as in power or voltage?
I read about the grounding issue so if there is power going to the headlight, I will clean up around the headlight retainer clips. I got some wiring and will try some thing like this:

@FreddyFont I can help you out with the headlight bucket clip and wire . You just pay for shipping . Private message me with you mailing address and I will send it to you .
The heat shield I do not have .

FreddyFont wrote: ↑Wed Nov 23, 2022 7:06 pm
4 - This is the electrical thing i just got to check if there is current as in power or voltage?

20221123vz1.jpg

I read about the grounding issue so if there is power going to the headlight, I will clean up around the headlight retainer clips. I got some wiring and will try some thing like this:
Screenshot_20221109-193740_Samsung Internet.jpg

It's usually called a multimeter because you can measure voltage (volts), current (amperes/amps), and resistance (ohms). Set the middle dial to point to upper left 20 volts, that is selecting the range of measurement. The red and black wires like in the picture below. Then you touch the black pointy lead to the negative of the battery, or a good clean metal point on the chassis, and the red pointy lead to where you think should be 12 volts. May as well first test it on the battery "plus" and "minus".

Eugen how did you know I had no clue how to use it lol!!!

Today was productive, I was able to check the wiring and that was not the issue. I cleaned up around the lights / retainers and installed a ground wire and they worked!!
I also cleaned up my heat shield and gave it a coat of paint. The bottom part is pretty thin but it will do for now. I did find a "full kit" online that included the shield, the bottom bracket and a pair of the what I was calling "hood wings" but they're actually called extenders. Its the # 16 and 17 on the parts picture i posted.