Cost of restoring a Clark

[17thairborne]

Sorry for the long post, but I have a lot to say here.

Having been an avid reader of g503 for the last 8 years and a recent heavy poster, I am beginning to realize that most seasoned restorers (I am not in that category) come to grips with, namely the cost of restoring an MV. As I’ve taken a good inventory of the parts that I need to get the machine running and to ensure I have all of those I need to perform an acceptable restoration I am keeping tabs on the cost. Below is an overview of the types of things I am purchasing and an estimated cost. I’m finding some things cheaper and others more expensive. As everyone who knows, the Clark is a hard machine to find NOS parts for and the Waukesha engine is a challenge also. If I did the math correctly below it’s just over 1500 worth of items, and its not an all-inclusive list. I am also sure that I have made several novice errors in getting the “right part” too early only to find it cheaper elsewhere a day later. I’m definitely showing my skivvies here, but we learn from our mistakes, hopefully others will benefit from my faults also.

Granted, I might be able to find some of the items cheaper than what I’ve estimated. An example is the manifold. The one installed on my machine is an absolute rust bucket with about 2 lbs of JB weld. It looks like a rotten log with barnacles and a huge cancerous fungus growth attached. It has to go. I found a replacement, but since it’s a low production item I’m paying top dollar. Other items such as the air cleaner; where are you gonna find that? If someone has a spare it’s probably attached to a CA-1 frame and so begins the decision – why don’t I restore that one too. I found a 95% match using a Moline air can that I’ll have to do some work on. It will not be 100% correct, but I suspect finding that baby will be way more expensive than cleaning the cow crap off the one I found. All of the other stuff begins to add up. Little fittings, screws, distributor caps, wires, paint, small tools that I don’t have, but can use on other restoration. As you all know the list goes on.

Mind you I’m not complaining in the least, if you don’t keep up on the receipts it’s hard to know how much you really have into the project. All of the items below don’t even begin to address the four remaining portions of the project. Those are:

1. Disassembly, cleaning, blasting, priming, painting, assembly. I can’t imagine all of the bolts, nuts, washers, lock washers, and other small things I will need to replace, not to mention paint, primer, blast media and whatever else. I’ll try and do all of this myself.

2. Fabrication: there are some parts that need to be made such as sand boxes, seat frame, tool boxes and anything else I find. Again, I want to learn some new skills here.

3. Fixing the Guts; tranny hydraulics and engine. Fortunately I think I have a solid engine and All I need to do is refinish and install the restored externally mounted mechanical components. I’m not sure what the status of the tranny is. The tracks free-wheel, the gear shifter slides freely in and out of gear and the control arms seem to work well, but until I crack open the access covers and see what I’m dealing with I have no clue. The hydraulic system is another guess!

4. Tracks; worn pins, bushings, lower roller bearings, idler adjustment bolt. Lots to evaluate and possibly replace.

Here is a partial list that I’ve created that does not even address items 1-4 above. These costs will be combined with the cost of initial purchase and transportation. I can easily see how one can put $20K into a $15K vehicle. If we were doing this to make money, the process would be different. In my case I am doing this because I have developed a strange passion for restoring a vehicle that was used by the Airborne Engineers. I am also writing a book about the 139th AEB of the 17th Airborne Division, and am slowly compiling information about their use of the Clark Dozers in combat. It’s quite fascinating and I could not see myself trying to sell this just to make a few thousand dollars. Anyway…here is a list for discussion purposes. These are the things I want to accomplish to get it running before I start the major restoration. I am already seeing some cost overrun on my estimates. I am not posting this to dissuade anyone from purchasing a Clark. I am enjoying this. Just be realistic about the costs of getting the project finished.

Generator ($180.00)
• Find and rebuild generator
• Buy upper generator bracket

Battery ($90.00)
• Buy interim 6v battery

Coil ($18.00)
• Buy 6v coil

Instrument panel ($250.00)
• Buy AMP, Oil pressure gauge
• Buy temp gauge
• Sand blast and prime panel
• Clean ignition switch
• Buy light switch
• Buy starter switch

Wiring harness ($275.00)
• Coordinate dimensions with Joe DONE
• Purchase
• Protect to prevent damage during rebuild

Manifold/exhaust ($435.00)
• Buy exhaust stack and hardware
• Remove old manifold/stack
• Buy Manifold DONE
• Clean/Paint manifold and exhaust
• Buy Cast Blast DONE
• Connect manifold and exhaust

Carburetor/Fuel lines ($150.00)
• Repair/Buy replacement carb
• Adjust to required settings
• Purchase fuel line material
• Purchase bender/ flare tool
• Install and connect lines
• Connect choke/governor link and adjust
• Connect fuel supply elbow
• Buy fuel sediment bowl

Engine ($40.00)
• Clean
• Purchase fan belt

Air Cleaner ($150.00)
• Buy one
• Modify
• Buy bracket
• Tap for oil vent
• Buy vent lines and fittings
• Clean, paint, install
• Buy hoses and clamps

Distributor ($90.00)
• Buy cap, cover, clip, guts
• Clean, paint, install
• Buy new data plate, install

Total Cost Estimate ($1678.00)