Good evening Carl,
My Dreadnought was in a bit a state when I got it, covered in oily swarf and wood shavings, but it seemed to be complete, apart from a missing countershaft. I stripped it down and sorted what needed fixing, various missing screws and everything mal-adjusted. There was an old 3 jaw chuck bolted to a face plate that had been turned with a register to locate the chuck, also a quite chunky 4 jaw. I could see the potential so thought it would make a good 2nd lathe to my larger Chester Coventry.
Fortunately the mandrel bearings were in good condition and the bed ways generally ok. After I had rebuilt it I actually sold off my ML7 in preference. Then I did the other mods mentioned earlier, including the mandrel 'Myford' thread, the new cross slide and the change wheel plate extension. Thinking next about somehow making the saddle rear guide a bit longer, although I have already added more gib adjustment screws to the standard set up.
I hope you can rescue yours, there aren't too many Dreadnoughts about.
Regards, Mick