Posted by Seb22 on June 03, 2017 at 18:20:36 from (74.190.252.212):
So, my grandad has this old tractor that he hasn't used in a few years now, so it's been sitting and rusting. He doesn't seem to care much about it anymore, but I grew up riding on the fenders of this machine. I'm considering restoring it and keeping it as a showpiece (I might use it for some light gardening work). It's an 8 speed diesel and as far as I know the engine is fine (it needed a new head gasket a few years ago).
The fuel pump leaks and my grandad says the clutch disc needs to be replaced. The pto brake also doesn't work (hasn't as long as I can remember), and the hydraulics don't hold (so I assume the hydraulic pump and any hoses/pipes need replacing). The original gauge cluster and housing are also gone, replaced with a flat piece of plastic with only two gauges (oil temp and battery/alternator, I think). I don't think the rpm gauge worked at all (I think the sensor is broken/gone. If I remember, it's supposed to be on the alternator, and the alternator on it now isn't made for a tractor, I think. I don't even think the alternator that it's supposed to have is called an alternator). I'm not sure about the notification lights.
The tractor also needs some minor body work: New paint and stickers, new grills, etc. And I think I'd like to upgrade to multibeam (high/low) headlights, and add a backup light, blinkers and an led hazard light as well (newer tractors have these in place of the reflective triangle sign).
I'm considering addressing all of the issues that I've listed above, but what I want to know is, should I do more? This thing was built in 1968 and has seen a lot of heavy use over the years. Would it be a good idea to rebuild the engine and transmission? I assume that there are a lot of gaskets and bearings and gears and hoses and such that could be pretty worn out, and might cause other damage if they fail. (also, do pistons and valves and such ever need replacing? I doubt the block will ever fail unless I try to run it without oil or on gasoline)
I don't have an engine hoist but I could get one; after a search they don't seem too pricey (around $300). I assume that I could also use it for the transmission? (I also have access to a Mahindra with a fork/bucket, if I need some extra lifting power). I don't have much experience with large engines and very little experience with diesels, but I'm good with my hands and have had luck with a lot of small engines over the years (weed-eaters, push and riding mowers, tillers), but I've never fully opened an engine by myself (relying instead on the knowledge of an uncle, who I was usually helping when I did this kind of work). I've only done peripheral work alone. And I've never opened a transmission.
I don't want to spend a fortune, My workspace is limited (a 20x8 foot area, in our old tin barn, the only available space with a cement floor), and would be doing most of all of the work myself, but it could make a good summer project over several years (I'd be willing to spend maybe $1500 per year at most on this project, starting either next year or the year after).
So if I decide to work on this tractor, should I just repair the stuff that's currently broken, or should I do a full overhaul? And will I be able to do all of this alone?
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Today's Featured Article - Restoration Story: Fordson Major - by Anthony West. George bought his Fordson Major from a an implement sale about 18 years ago for £200.00 (UK). There is no known history regarding its origins or what service it had done, but the following work was undertaken alone to bring it up to show standard. From the engine number, it was found that this Major was produced late 1946. It was almost complete but had various parts that would definitely need replacing.
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