Having second thoughts on my parts H

I picked up this 47H thinking I would use it as a parts tractor, since what I would spend for replacement pinion shafts and a starter pretty much bought this H.
I know I could part the rest of this H out and get way more than I spent for it, but now I am having second thoughts.
The engine is free and basically needs stuff straightened out or replaced to get it back to shape.
What would you guy's do? I really hate to kill this H since I see all the time on ebay guys pulling parts off a running tractor, but then again I would be saving quite a bit of money on buying parts.
Decisions, decisions

Pics on the link below

http://thefarmallh.com/

tough call on that one randy. looks like a pretty nice old h still. (diamond in the rough) shame to part that one out. maybe rusty or cowman has some parts to trade for your gears, then you'd have a nuther project to work on!!!

In my opinion, I really hate the thought of parting out a good tractor, but to get otherwise irreplaceable parts, somtimes it must be done. I am all for preserving history, so I would be willing to spend the money to get replacement parts new, rather than a parts tractor. Think of it this way; you are preserving history by NOT using a parts tractor.

Sometimes it can be a tough decision...but looking at that one, I
would take what you need, and sell parts to those who need
them. There were hundreds of thousands of H's out there, and
using parts to save others is just fine. That one would need a lot
on its own, and you would still have to find the parts you need
for the other tractor you are working on. It is ok to sacrifice a
few so many others might live. In trying to resurrect my
grandfather's H, I have gone through two parts tractors so
far....his was so far gone, but is a family history piece. The
others were just there to help out. One parts tractor was like
yours, except for a stuck engine...I thought maybe it could
live...then I took off the valve cover and found the head totally
busted...it needed way more to make it live than it looked....
Just another opinion.

Mark

Randy. I just knew this was going to be your next post.
I'm sure you are well aware that the two H's you are restoring are going to cost you double what they will be worth when finished. How many times can you afford to lose half your investment?
Here is your chance to actually MAKE some money on a tractor.
If you are going to do another one, get the high dollar models (SMTA, SMTAD, SHII) and minimize your end losses.
It's the some in cars. Cost you about the same to restore a 58 Fury convert, as a hemi Cuda. But the end value is 10 times more in the Cuda.
Grab your pinion shaft, the cage and pull any good parts you might need, and truck the rest to the scrapper.

Gordo

I am not in this hobby to make any money Gordo, it's just a way for me to relax and tinker with something and bring it back to life. I enjoy working on the H's since they are easy to work on. As long as I can get most of what I put into them for parts from someone who could use and enjoy these H's will be enough for me

Randy

find a kid who would like a project. or sell the front half and rear half seperately.

you probably won't make any money on it, but someone new will have a start to tractor restoration.

karl f

If you need the parts urgently then break the tractor. If not then let it sit until you can start a rescue operation to suit your own timings. MTF

Know how you feel. I bought another MD with a stuck engine for the rear housing, wide front and various other parts but the more I look at it the more I think of the tingling feeling you get when you get one to start again for the first time. Wife seems to believe I won't be able to stand it until it's running.

if you have a good engine then you have a tractor. all the heavy part's can be had. Dan.

Yikes!

If I ever need surgery, I'd want it done in a clean room like where you have your H.

Nice photos. Compliments to you.

D.

Hey Randy. Your parts tractor looks better than my M! It's true that if my M were to get a good set of rear rims and tires on it I could take it off the blocks and use it since I put all new rear frame bearings and bushings in it last winter. But a week after I was done with that a rear rim broke and money hadn't allowed me to do anything but let it sit on those blocks since last June. So last Monday I bought new front rubber for it as an impetus to get it rolling again.

Soapbox commentary--Keep the H an H and work on it. The thousands and thousands that were built (391,227) were last built over 50 years ago. No more since then. NONE. There isn't an inexhaustible supply of them in running condition as some believe. If 21 tractors are scrapped every day for fifty years then there are none left. Well it's been over fifty years and it's anyones guess how many have been scrapped each day for those fifty years. Assuming 8 tractors a day have been scrapped ( for the good of the many blah blah blah ) or otherwise been rendered inoperable then that's over 146,000 gone in fifty years. Just something to think about before you decide what you are going to do with it. ...Randy

Just my opinion, however I could never part and scrap one like that. My C looks worse with the exception of the missing tires and wheels, and I use it every year to cut hay. I know where there is an old Super C sitting in the weeds, and I need parts for my C, however I know if I bought the Super C I could never part it out, and I really do not need another project, so it can sit there. Sure would like to have though, as I knew that tractor when I was a kid, and it has worked on these fields I own now.

Nice shop!! Gives me something to shoot for.

If it was mine and I had a couple of other H's about (especially if one wasn't restored yet) I'd 'borrow' the necessaries to see if it'll run and drive (carb, rim/tire). If it runs nice and drives I'd save her, if it smokes, knocks, and growls out of the rear end parting it might be a little easier? Sam

Neblinc -- If you decide to keep it I've got a good 6v generator and a hand full of 12's that need rebuilt I need to part with. I'm over in Seward so it shouldn't be too far from you.


T.C.

Thanks everyone for the replies! I have had offers of help for the parts I need so I am going to keep and fix this 47 H.


Randy