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Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum
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How do you begin?

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fishermanS

08-24-2005 14:02:02




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Through a few phone calls I was able to track down a Farmall M that has been sold in a few different auctions. This was my grandpas.

This girl (Farmall M) has been sitting along a fence row for many years and parted out. The bulk of the tractor is there but still sad looking.

I was able to get it home and unload it successfully- Now What?

The tractor will shift into all the gears. The fans stuck. The heads gone but I able to pickup another.

Where and How do I start putting it back together?
I am not trying to do this overnight, more like over a lifetime. I was thinking about using diesel, Kerosene or used oil to just soak it in for an indefinite amount of time- Thinking that this would loosen some of the nuts and lubricate the metal?

Thank you very much for your suggestions- FS

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PurdueAg

08-27-2005 19:48:22




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 Re: How do you begin? in reply to fishermanS, 08-24-2005 14:02:02  
I am new to restoring tractors, too. I keep a notebook for each tractor I restore. I write down the serial number, any history on the tractor, previous owners, information that I might discover on parts that are not original to the tractor (replacement parts), and a log of each repair that is made. I also keep all of my receipts in there just to have a record of expenditures, etc. In addition to taking lots of pictures, I also sketch parts and make notes as to position, location of bolts and washers, etc., etc. As I take the smaller parts off the tractor, I place them in 1 gallon (or smaller if appropriate) ziplock bags and carefully label each bag. I set up shelving in my shop for storing the parts for each tractor. The bigger parts, such as sheet metal, rims, etc., I hang up on the wall to save space and keep them from getting damaged in the shop. Get the operators manual, the service manual, and the IT shop manual. Also, I have found that most of my questions can be thoroughly answered by simply doing a search of the archives on this forum. Rarely do I have to post a new post for clarification. Try different search terms to make sure you get the best results. Also, I have been happy with the prices, quality, and service regarding parts I have purchased from this site. I also highly recommend JP Tractor salvage in Missouri for salvage parts. Checking the show calendar and visiting tractor shows and swap meets is the most fun in terms of finding parts and accessories you need, though. Also, you'll be surprised as to how much you can still get f(in stock) rom your local Case IH dealer.

Have fun!

Tony

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fishermanS

08-25-2005 06:02:29




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 Re: How do you begin? in reply to fishermanS, 08-24-2005 14:02:02  
I really appreciate all the comments and sugguestions. Cowman- I pick this up in Hitchcock County and hauled it back to the southeast.

So far... I did buy another M but it has a wf and is working really good around the place (brakes are shot)....Man I hate to tear it apart. This one is a 49 and my grandpas is a 50 nf.

After buying the two tractors my check book said take break and thats why I thought used oil to soak it in might work....I have some extra used oil and every now and then when I find rusted tools I just toss'em in tin can with used oil and it seems to help after I remember them several months down the road. Viniger sounds alot better.

I am really learning alot from this post and am sure that I will put several more up.

Man I'm gonna hate tearing that other M down. I'll work on my tearing my grandpas down this winter and fixing and painting various parts as I can. Then after spring is over I may start swapping parts over.

So far the carma is good. We caught 60 Cats with 15 over 12lbs and 6 over 15lbs earlier in the day (Swanson) when I picked up the tractor (I only kept 5 fish around 5lbs) and then got it home across the state without a problem- unloaded it and fryed a cat.

Gonna get'it done. FS

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Gary_N_WV

08-25-2005 05:09:39




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 Re: How do you begin? in reply to fishermanS, 08-24-2005 14:02:02  
You already made the first (best) step by coming here to ask questions.
You won't find a better source of information and guidance.
The guys and gals are great here and can guide you through it all.



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MidMiGene

08-24-2005 23:22:24




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 Re: How do you begin? in reply to fishermanS, 08-24-2005 14:02:02  
Start by taking lots of before pictures.
Next take pictures at various stages of disassembly.
Take some pictures of different components.
As you are putting it back together, take some more pictures at various stages.
And when you get it finished, make sure you post pictures on here, and receive the praise that you will have earned. Good Luck on your project. Gene



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riverbend

08-24-2005 21:49:03




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 Re: How do you begin? in reply to fishermanS, 08-24-2005 14:02:02  
If the head is off, there were problems with the motor. It is possible that it just had a broken valve spring, but my guess is that the motor is worn out.

Get a set of manuals and work on getting the sleeves out. The rings and sleeves are probably shot. If you are not going to reuse the pistons, drive them out, or break them, and remove the sleeves. If you are lucky, the pistons will take the sleeves with them when you drive them out the top. Check the crank for wear. Get out your checkbook and have at it.

If you are intent on keeping the tractor original as possible, you will have to free up the pistons and see if you can find rings and sleeves.

These are great old tractors. They are easy to work on. If you are somewhat mechanically inclined, it will be fun.

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riverbend

08-24-2005 21:54:32




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 and it won't hurt to look in the gearbox in reply to riverbend, 08-24-2005 21:49:03  
As long as it is all apart, you might as well check the gearbox, the bull pinion bearings, and main shaft pinion bearing.



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James R

08-24-2005 18:54:08




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 Re: How do you begin? in reply to fishermanS, 08-24-2005 14:02:02  
Just a tid bit that may come in handy for you. If you are trying to loosen something that is rusted, soaking in white vinegar does as good as anything I have used on rust. Last summer I found a monkey wrench that had been out in a junk pile and rusted solid. I could not believe it but after about a week or 10 days of soaking, I was able to take it entirely apart and clean it up. It turned out to be a Ford wrench!
Good luck.

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Nebraska Cowman

08-24-2005 18:05:41




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 Re: How do you begin? in reply to fishermanS, 08-24-2005 14:02:02  
oh Wow, wish I were there to help you. Your idea to soak is a good one. The block is sleeved so unless the block is broken you should be able to save it but you better plan to take it completly apart. And plan to spend a pile of money to rebuild it right. This is one you are going to keep. If it were me, I'd buy a running tractor for parts. Then as you strip off what you need you can sell the extra parts to finance the rest.

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T.B.W.

08-24-2005 17:10:06




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 Re: How do you begin? in reply to fishermanS, 08-24-2005 14:02:02  
The first thing you need to start is plenty of money.



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Georgia Boy

08-24-2005 15:28:38




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 Re: How do you begin? in reply to fishermanS, 08-24-2005 14:02:02  
First thing to do is get a parts manual for the M, then make a list of major parts that you need and watch for them on eBay or in the classifieds on this web site. I recently restored an A. What I did was to clean and sandblast cast parts as I took them off the tractor. I used Picklex 20 to keep them from rusting while I had them stored. Auxiliary parts like starter and generator were restored as they came off the tractor then painted and put aside. I put the major part of the tractor back together then primed and painted. The sheet metal is still sitting there, waiting for cooler, drier weather before I sand and paint them.

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El Toro

08-24-2005 14:57:26




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 Re: How do you begin? in reply to fishermanS, 08-24-2005 14:02:02  
I would use transmission fluid and let it soak for week or so. If the starter is still on the tractor I would hook up a good battery, it probably is a 6 volt system. I would just bump the starter every few days and see if the engine
would move. You need to be patient. You can drop the oil pan and loosen the rod caps. May have water in the pan too.

I restored an A and it was seized and I tap on the rods with a piece of oak. The A had wet sleeves and several pistons came out with the sleeves and 2 pistons came out w/o the sleeves.
I put in a new sleeve and piston kit.

I completely tore the engine down and steamed cleaned the block. Had the machine shop to measure and polish the crankshaft and they furnished the bearings too.

Your engine should be torn completely down, degreased and have new cam bearings installed.
The crankshaft needs to be measured and ground undersize if needed or polished. If it has a mag or a distributor they will need to be rebuilt too. That engine should be pulled off if it frees up and examine the clutch. I haven't covered everything, but this should get you started. Take some pictures of everything before you tear everything apart. Keep the bolts
from each part of the engine separated and kept
in cardboard boxes and each box identified what
the contents were removed from. Hal

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krazy-ken

08-24-2005 14:36:25




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 Re: How do you begin? in reply to fishermanS, 08-24-2005 14:02:02  
So glad you found that very special tractor.Do it slow and wright.The guys on this site like harley-allan-slo-cowman-old and many others are glad to help .Helping others is what its all about. KEN



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Harley

08-24-2005 17:39:41




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 Re: How do you begin? in reply to krazy-ken, 08-24-2005 14:36:25  
Aw shucks Kenny, ya make me blush. But really fisherman, organization is the key here. Like has been said before, get the manuals, easily found on ebay, and use these as evening reading when you are unwinding after a long day. I ALWAYS find something new and interesting when I do this. And nobody knows everything. The guys on this site have more combined good old farmer knowhow,(been there done that stuff) than could be printed here from now on. Anyway, set the old girl inside where you have room to get around it. Start taking off the tin work, muffler, aircleaner cap, stuff like that, then you can get down to the basics on the motor. Do like the guys said, take it apart completely, cause you don't know where this has been and what it's been doing, and label, label, label. Sure you know the parts when you take them off and where they go, but I'll guarantee that after about six months of just plain life, and a pile of parts later, you'll look at something and wonder,"Where the he11 does that thing go, and how does it get there!" Anyway, sounds like fun, and don't be afraid to go here and ask questions. That's how we all learn, from guys just like yourself with a new project. Git-er-done, Harley

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