Hello everyone! Well I found the tractor of my dreams- a 1947 (I was told it was a) 2N. It's in very good shape, and I bought it for $2,000. It's got great tires, and it's got the over-drive shifter on the left side, which really makes it a lot faster going down the road. I’ve borrowed my father-in-law’s flair-mover, and it holds it up off the ground for about 45 minutes or so when the PTO’s not engaged. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad, but I’m guessing it’s less than perfect because it leaks a little around where the PTO hooks up when the cap’s not on.Anyway, I’m pretty new to the Ford tractor thing. I did a lot of reading a few months back when I began looking for one, but I never read about how to change the oil, flush the coolant, where the air-filter is, and other questions that I have. So, I really have two main questions: First, how does my tractor rate? Like, is it in good shape, does it need an overhaul? Here’s the best description that I can give you:
-Oil Pressure when idling (lowest point before it acts like it may stall) is about 12psi. At full throttle the oil pressure is about 32psi.
-Water temp seems to be steady at 160 F.
-Like I said, the PTO attachment’s decline from the highest point last about 45 minutes until it’s on the ground.
-The tractor doesn’t appear to have ANY rust on it, as best as I can tell. The chassis is red, and the only grey is the fenders, and the “hood” panels.
-It’s all 6-volt.
-It starts really easy. I was told to turn the gas off after I turn the engine off, and only turn it on right before I plan on starting it to avoid flooding it. When I do this, it only takes about ¾ of a crank with a little choke before it fires up.
-Like I said, it’s got an over-drive unit where the toolbox usually is. Not sure how that rates.
-Tires show no weather checking. The back tires look new, the front are really narrow, and look al little wore down.
-Has only one front light and the wire is cut. Secondly, are there any sites that I can visit to learn how to give this amazing piece of machinery and American History the retirement that it deserves? Here’s questions that I have that I’m hoping to have answered:
1) Is there a seal that I can replace to stop the PTO from leaking? What kind of oil does it take?
2) Would it hurt it to run full synthetic oil in the engine? Does it take 30 wieght?
3) Should I run premium gasoline?
4) Is there an online / TSC source for premium plugs, wires, and air/fuel filter?
5) The coolant looks REALLY bad- it’s pretty much a gel it’s so old. How do I flush this, and what kind of coolant do I put back in.
Lastly I just want to say THANK YOU to Ford for making this tractor, and other tractors like it. I am only twenty years old, but with the exception of a handful of G.E. refrigerators, the tens of thousands of M1 Garands out there, there are very few things left from the 40’s that still serve a purpose, and don’t have to be babied. I plan on spoiling this tractor because I want to, not because it requires it. I mean, the thing it a few months shy of it’s 60th birthday, and I drove it 4 miles, brush-hogged about an acre behind my wife’s round pen, and then idled it for about 30 minutes, and it never missed, or knocked, or anything.
Sorry if this got pretty lengthy… Have a good 4th, and let me know if you can help me! Pat
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