Well, I went and did it.

I went and talked to the owner of the '44 H. He's owned it for a little over a year. It was given to him by a family friend because it wasn't running. He did an in-frame rebuild on the engine, including a ring job and eventually having the head worked over. He replaced the all-fuel manifold with a new one (I guess someone makes new casts, so it is a new one, but exaclty like the orginal) and muffler. He replaced the radiator and wires, new fuilds and such. Went into the transmission, cleaned the gunk out, replaced the fluid, adjusted the forks. He says 3rd gear was mostly used, so it's a little louder than the others. It never had the Hyd pump in the belly since he got it. He worked the tractor for close to two months. He remembers when he felt the rings finally seat, and the engine really came alive with power. One day at lunch the guys who were using the tractor shut it down to eat. They went back and couldn't get it started. So they pulled it into the shed later and used other tractors since. He hasn't really tried to get it running again. He thinks that water may have gotten in the main bearing or something, but he honestly doesn't know why it isn't running. He's never messed with the Mag at all. He said he put $850 into the engine, and he would like to get that back. He's in no hurry to sell it, and would keep it parked until the fall for me if I wanted it. I talked him down to $700, telling him I was worried about the motor... yet I'm thinking it may be something relatively easy to fix. The guy said he would be willing to let me pay over time when I could, and that I could go ahead and take the tractor when I want, and he's going to throw in a brand new 6v battery.
So, I visited our mutual friend who is giving me use of his shop to restore it. He said it sounded like a good deal, so we are going to pick it up this weekend.

So, what do you all think? $700 seems like a lot, but if I can get it running, then it's worth the engine overhaul I got... at least that's what I'm telling myself. But I would like your opinions.

Here is a list of parts I know I'll need to get for it:

- Starter tank and associated fuel lines
- Correct front frame mounting bolts
- Light bar with new lights
- Amp box with switch
- All 3 correct gauges
- Rear light and mounting bracket
- PTO shield
- Drawbar receiver on belly
- Hydraulic pump w/ control level
- Radiator shutters
- Correct radiator cap
- Battery box
- Throttle control
- Pre-cleaner + jar
- Narrow double front end + wheels
- Cotton braided spark wiring
- New belt pulley
- Front grill insert
- New correct radiator hoses
- Rear wheel fenders
- Show muffler w/ quick disconnect hardware
- Hand crank rod (in bolster)
- Farmall emblem
- Rear tires
- Front tires

The next thing I want is a trailer to haul this beast around and give hay rides.

What is "quick disconnect muffler hardware"?. What's wrong with a 2" pipe thread coated with high-temp antisieze. Don't really understand the need for work and play mufflers. You're not going to work it anyway.

I think the owner is foolish for accepting "pay when you can" terms. All your discretionary funds will go into parts and supplies for several years. Perhaps he should have listed the tractor on the "Free" list at Craigslist. Could that might be its true value?

The quick release hardware is for my garage at home, so I can park the tractor inside by taking the muffler off easy. Just something I thought would make my life easier.

I will be paying the guy off first, before going after any parts.

Don't waste your money on aftermarket fenders, they are very obvious fakes that won't fool anyone who knows Farmalls. I picked up a set of good originals for $280 shipped, so they are out there if you look.

You can probably find someone who would be willing to trade their double narrow front for your single - maybe even up, maybe for a few bucks.

You will have more in the tractor than it's worth when you are done, but it will be worth it. Just make sure you plan on keeping it long enough to make it worth the investment!

Congrats on finding a war year tractor like you wanted!

When the time comes, probably by the weekend, I'm going to ask for instructions on how to start troubleshooting this engine, step-by-step. Tonight, unknown to the wife, I'm going to order the manuals with the credit card (shhhhh ) But I doubt I'll have them till next week, and I want to start playing with it this weekend.

It is yours

It is pretty straight

It is a War production

It has some investment in it already

(OH YA it is yours)

JimN

hehehe

ok, I'll only split it if I absolutely have to. But I do still have the plans, and my friend has a big shop with a welder, so I can build the frame if needed.

That is interesting. Not that there is anything wrong with a used one (especially if it passes for new) but I didn't know you could find those new.

I agree with you, if you trust that he did all the work you're getting a deal. If the engine is free and you have compression there's a good chance it quit running over some minor issue (Mag, coil, dirty fuel tank). Usually when some one screws up an overhaul (incorrect torque specs etc..) the engine lets you know right away. Seen a lot of "freshly overhauled" engines that throw a rod or start missing or knocking a few minutes into operation.

New one on me. Possibly something else was wrong and it "corrected itself".

"He thinks that water may have gotten in the main bearing or something, but he honestly doesn"t know why it isn"t running."

Again, new one on me. I would tend to think that if water has gotten to the mains then the engine would have gotten water in more places than that. Sounds like either he doesnt have a clue, or hes covering something up. I would open the drain on the pan or see if he"ll let you drain the oil.

Not trying to knock the tractor, but $700 running around here is pretty common. But at least the owner is willing to work with you on paying for it.

That's quite a list dude, so you must be building this for show? What's wrong with the breather cap you have already and the single front????

From the Pic the rear tires dont look all that bad. They are turned around backwards though.

Some of the things on your list are things you can add later, like the fenders and front end.

Here in central Mo we very rarely see an H or M with fenders.

Looks like you will have something to play with for a long time.

Now at least you have a reason to stay on the forum!!

Gene