revive Dad's Ford 640? (long)

My parents moved to town about eight years ago, but kept the old house and outbuildings in the country. They have been renting the old house. So a few weeks ago, my father asks me what I think he should do with that old tractor.

I am not sure why he thought I should know as I am now living 100+ miles away, but he knows I remember driving that as a boy and there is some sentimental value there.

Anyway "that old tractor" is a 1955 Ford 640 that Dad purchased new. I don't believe it has been run in the eight years since my parents moved. Worse, it has set outside most of that time. Dad says the engine is seized (which I suspect is true) but I am not sure what if anything he has done to try to free it up.

My new bride and I have talked about getting a place a little out of town. When that happens I am sure we could find some uses for the 640. For now though we are living in an apartment. The good news is that my brother (who lives closer-but also has little mechanical background) is also somewhat interested in this project and has volunteered his garage space.

So how do I decide if this project is worth undertaking? And if it is how do I decide whether to do any of the work myself, or hire it all out?

I admit in high school I was one of the geeky kids who spent my free time in the computer lab learning BASIC and PASCAL when my classmates were in shop souping up their '72 Chevy Novas. So I have very little mechanical experience. That said, for some reason, I feel like attempting to get this tractor running is something I would enjoy. I can read and follow directions, but I don't know how the good documentation is for a 1955 Ford.

I have been trying to read up on this and other sites. From that research it appears that the 600 series isn't really much of a collector's item, but it is still a decent work tractor for small jobs.

I mentioned the new bride, and I don't want this potential project to create friction there. But one factor here is that several of my new in-laws happen to be into antique tractors. One of her cousins is active in the antique tractor pulling scene, and several of her uncles dabble in it. And one uncle has some nicely restored stuff that only gets entered in tractor shows & parades. BUT... the in-laws are serious IH people. Though they do have some other brands. I have a good relationship with them and feel like I could get support from them if I decide to undertake this project.

(as an aside...someday I would enjoy getting into tractor pulling-but I am smart enough to realize that the 640 is a poor choice for that. If I wanted to do it with a Ford I would be looking for a 901-but more likely a Farmall M or JD D would be on the wish list for that project-which is still on the "someday" list)

As far as this Ford 640, if I decided to undertake it my goal would be to get it running to be able to use it, rather than make it into a world class restoration. It just seems wrong to have a tractor that never gets used for what it was intended.

I intend to go out with Dad and look at this. I will take the digital camera along and try to determine how bad off it really is.

So my question is: should I undertake this project (if so should I try to do any of it myself, or hire all of it out? I do realize that the machine work will need to be hired anyway), or should I just gulp and make the difficult suggestion to Dad that he try to sell it as is? From looking at the tractor values on this site, I suspect in its current state it's worth about the same as what New Holland wants for a service manual.

How do you decide whether it's hopeless? And if I am going to do it, how do I ball park cost?

If you plan on using the tractor some, you don't need to get so carried away with glossy paint jobs and such. I still use the old MF 50. We are EXTREMELY carefull with it. But, when I'm out raking hay with it, I can just picture my father doing the same thing. I have a grandson, that is 5 years old. Someday the old 50 will be his. The thought of him enjoying the tractor that I learned to plow on, just makes it all worth the time, expence, and effort. Best of luck. Happy tractoring. Talk to you again soon, Bill

Tractor engines get "stuck" remember that. They'll come unstuck too, no worries.

Recommended reading: Roger Welch's excellent tractor books. Look for them in the transportation section of your local bookstore.

Cost cannot be estimated without more information. Cost also cannot be estimated without knowing how far you wish to go. I'd suggest taking an in-law with you to look at it and help you figure the cost.

You may not want to "restore" it. The wear on the tractor is wear from your father. I personally wouldn't want to erase the wear from his hands on the steering wheel, and the worn paint from his shoes. You may just want to get it running well and cleaned up a bit.

Remember too, $3000 spent right now for an immediate restoration job is not the same as spending $3000 over the course of a few years restoring it slowly.

I think you've got me figured out.

I am concerned about the availability of parts & manuals, but it sounds like that's not too big of problem. New Holland told me that the service manual is back ordered now, but they do expect to get some more in...sometime.

Taking one of the in-laws along to look at it is a good idea, that I hadn't really thought of. As I said they are definitley "IH people". But it is my observation so far that they are willing to tinker with anything that isn't green! :-(

Wife is actually one generation removed from being a country girl. She grew up in suburbia but her parents on farms, and many of the in-laws still reside on small hobby-farms. So she has been exposed to it growing up.

I suspect you will be seeing a lot more of me here (esp. in the Ford forum) if this project proceeds.

Thanks to you & everyone for the support.

If your dad will give the tractor to you you are already $400 ahead of most of us.

As for "Do it Yourself" or Hire. I would suggest that you try it yourself. Niether myself or my father are mechanics nor did we have any clue how to do an engine overhaul. But my father has already done one on an Allis B and we are currently working on my Cockshutt 60. We have done all the disassembly (easy, just make good marks and take notes) have sent the head to be done and are going to overhaul the bottom ourselves. You will be surprised the help you are offered once you get into a project. I bet you won't be able to keep your inlaws away let alone have to ask for help. (don't be afraid to ask for help though, it can save time and money)

Now for "collectability", ta heck with it. You have something better ... a usable tractor with hydraulics and a 3 point hitch not to ment sentimental value. That 640 will be worth every bit as much as a collectable tractor when you get it running.

And don't set you sites to high (which it sounds as though you haven't). Tear it down, get it running, give it a coat of paint and enjoy USING your tractor.

Have fu and enjoy the time you spend with your brother (wish I had one) and you in laws.

Oh and get your wife involved too, get a good pair of rubber gloves (if she is that type of woman) and ask her for help. You never know she might love it.

When you get down to it very few tractors have true "collectors value", most have thousands of copies and are not all that rare (there are expections and those bring HUGE premiums). Anybody that is restoring these things for a profit is either really good or is cutting so many corners all you have is a shiny peice of junk. If you do end up with a place in the country the 640 would be a great tractor to have, especially when comparing what just a decent riding mower will cost.