212 Grader 8M77 Ressurection

Howdy Folks,

New to the forum, but by no means new to the vintage world. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to purchase a 212 grader that seems to be a pretty unique piece the more I look. Firstly, it appears there were not many single axle, gas powered graders made of that vintage. Coupled with the fact that it has electric start and lights, looks as though it had a heater at one time, Klaxon 16 horn, amber glass roof beacon, cat tools in the toolbox and intact side shields, it certainly elicits some attention. Add that to the fact that in some places a blue/gray paint is visible begs the question as to whether it was a prior military machine or not. Are the gas D2's of that vintage pretty scarce as well? I have found no running specimens on youtube for me to gander at.

As warmer weather has finally arrived (seemingly) I have started to divert some effort into making it produce noise again. History is a little murky but from my understanding a sleeve was replaced (probably due from sitting in a fence row as I was told) and someone had clearly put effort into key places. Water pump seems to contain new parts, starter and carb have fresh paint (easy to tell because the rest of the machine is...brown) and the gauges have been relocated to engine left side. A super dry fuel bowl gasket caused a bad leak and displaced my efforts, but I did roll it over for awhile by hand and got some cranks via the starter, which seemed to indicate no spark.

My first efforts are going to be directed towards the gas system. I was told it ran before the previous gentleman bought it, but if the carb needs dressed up, are there new gaskets etc available or will i need to exercise great care during disassembly? On the spark side, somebody put a Wico mag on it and rigged it so it would work but I can assure you it's less than optimal. I have the original Eisemann that I would like to get on at some point, quicker if I can't get the Wico to light.

I would like to flush out all the gear boxes as I'm sure the oil has turned to 1000w viscosity. I only have a parts manual but it appears the original start switch was a button style located in the floor? It currently has a solenoid mounted under the floor. The gas tank is fairly rusty and I have a temp fuel cell rigged up, but it looks like the best way to get the tank out is to cut out the metal under the seat and lift it up through? Brakes are non-functional, can wheel cylinders be had or should I try to salvage the ones I have? Thankfully the hand brake works so I do have something.

One step at a time, but is there anything I'm missing I should add to the list? Thanks for the help! I can supplement with pictures if that's the fancy of this community.

-Doc Reese

Hi, Reeseholler.

Some photos might help to identify what you have. All the 212s that I ever came across had DIESEL D2 motors and tandem drive. I don't have a serial # reference book to hand to check the serial # that you have given.

It sounds as if you have a machine that was rigged for something beyond just normal road work and for night work as well.

Just my 0.02.

Looks like your machine is 1939 and only 89 single drive gas 212 were made.

Hi Doc, congratulations on your acquisition. If you wouldn't mind, could you post some photos here (one photo at a time seems to work) including overall, four corners, serial # plate and anything else you think is interesting. There are a few outfits around that rebuild magnetos if you want to shop that work out - Standard Magneto and my favorite Mainely Magnetos who still stellar work on my Eisemann. On top of the carb (assume Zenith?) is a round aluminum tag with some numbers. You can use that to order a carb kit from the internet or places like McDonald carb. It's the same engine as the R2 so basically a D3400 block with different head and the carb/magneto setup, I believe. If so, then you can use the service instructions for the R2's engine.

My uncle fixed brakes on a Cat 12 grader 8t serial number (late 40's to late 50's) in about 2000. I was not directly involved. Between his and a old time parts man's knowledge they matched the wheel cylinders to standard automotive parts. He was very pleased at how easy it was to get the brakes working.

So I would guess the brakes on your grader where of the shelf parts back at the time. But with reports of having trouble finding parts for 1960 to 90's 2 ton truck juice brake parts who knows what is out there. And more importantly how do you know what parts to look for. Most all that worked on that stuff regularly are getting kind of hard to find. Maybe just turn to the antique automotive world and see if you can get what you have sleeved. It does sound like a very rare grader.

I will get some better pictures, just didn't pan out to get it done today.

I have the original mag and planned to put it on if this wico doesnt give me lightning as the original one has been rebuilt by somebody. Unfortunately there is no longer a serial plate and looks like it was gone long ago. The stamp on the frame rail does however match the engine stamp. I have the original seat as well. It was just more comfortable to sit on the metal than have seat springs prodding my rear as it got loaded. The carb does look like a zenith, at least it looks somewhat similar in design to my tractors. It came with a complete gauge cluster that the PO took apart to clean and function test. The mag switch and light switch do work. With some handy work I can save (possibly) the dash light. I'm not sure if it had some sort of reflector or a shielded lens, parts book doesnt show real well. I will photo dump off my phone and grab extras as requested. I have also put a video up on YouTube