Rick Moran
New member
I wanted to show off my Johnny Popper I restored a few years back, it was a field find”. The owner told me it needed just needed some TLC, a muffler and a starter. Famous last words!
In the before pics you can see what condition it was in. I got it for a song so I had plenty to invest. I didn’t put the aftermarket loader back on it and it’s for sale if someone is interested. It come with the hydraulic pump and controls.
So it wouldn’t turn over with a new battery, as expected. I removed the starter and it still would turn over, manually. I started removing anything that would prevent it and got down to removing the head, which reveled all. #1 piston rings/bore were rusted solid. So I removed the engine for total rebuild, which is what I was planning all along. No matter what I did (giant breaker bar(s) wouldn’t budge it. I removed the crank to no avail. So I ended up having an engine BBQ with diesel and light oil. After a few hours BBQ and more days of soaking, #2 came out. To get #1 out I finally had to make a “press system” used a 5/8” thick plate bolted down with the head bolts and a 3” x 5/8” disk on the piston crown. I applied as much pressure as possible with a breaker bar and then smack it with a baby sledge. Finally, it started to move ever so slightly. Eventually it gave up and I won! Luckily, it didn’t do any damage to the head bolt threads (good cast iron) and I was able to clear up the bore at .030” over. Crank .020” and rods .020”. I replaced a couple seats and all new exhaust valves and guides. Surface everything and used a new clutch and ring gear. Matching was done by a local racing shop (friend). I do all my own assembly and general wrenching/fab where needed and tin work. The gas tank turned out immaculate inside and out.
The rest was a breeze after that. Fully restored, rebuilt or new: engine, flywheel, ring gear, starter, clutch, radiator, wet air cleaner, water pump, gas tank, carb, muffler, alternator, distributor, electrics (all 12v), seat, dash/speedo/gauges, steering wheel, PTO. All Tins are nearly flawless and ready for paint. New grille panels, decals and trim. Also has double rear wheel weights (per side).
After all these years, the totally rotting tires are still holding water. Good rubber in those days!
In the before pics you can see what condition it was in. I got it for a song so I had plenty to invest. I didn’t put the aftermarket loader back on it and it’s for sale if someone is interested. It come with the hydraulic pump and controls.
So it wouldn’t turn over with a new battery, as expected. I removed the starter and it still would turn over, manually. I started removing anything that would prevent it and got down to removing the head, which reveled all. #1 piston rings/bore were rusted solid. So I removed the engine for total rebuild, which is what I was planning all along. No matter what I did (giant breaker bar(s) wouldn’t budge it. I removed the crank to no avail. So I ended up having an engine BBQ with diesel and light oil. After a few hours BBQ and more days of soaking, #2 came out. To get #1 out I finally had to make a “press system” used a 5/8” thick plate bolted down with the head bolts and a 3” x 5/8” disk on the piston crown. I applied as much pressure as possible with a breaker bar and then smack it with a baby sledge. Finally, it started to move ever so slightly. Eventually it gave up and I won! Luckily, it didn’t do any damage to the head bolt threads (good cast iron) and I was able to clear up the bore at .030” over. Crank .020” and rods .020”. I replaced a couple seats and all new exhaust valves and guides. Surface everything and used a new clutch and ring gear. Matching was done by a local racing shop (friend). I do all my own assembly and general wrenching/fab where needed and tin work. The gas tank turned out immaculate inside and out.
The rest was a breeze after that. Fully restored, rebuilt or new: engine, flywheel, ring gear, starter, clutch, radiator, wet air cleaner, water pump, gas tank, carb, muffler, alternator, distributor, electrics (all 12v), seat, dash/speedo/gauges, steering wheel, PTO. All Tins are nearly flawless and ready for paint. New grille panels, decals and trim. Also has double rear wheel weights (per side).
After all these years, the totally rotting tires are still holding water. Good rubber in those days!
