Refurbishing a 20 to run.

Ive got a 20. The wheels are all shot, along with tires. The radiator needs rebuilt. The manifold is bad. The engine is loose tho, the mag is there, and other than the mentioned its in rather good shape. Hood hasnt been cut, cables are there for the brakes, ect. My question is, How much would it take to get it to running and moveing again with me doing the labor.

Thats a wide open question really, i would say anywhere from 200 on the low side ie get the carb rebuilt and the mag rebuilt. To more then 800/1300 plus if you have to do the head the crank rings and or new sleeves also, etc etc never mind the new tires. If you want to get that F20 running it would just depend how bad you want it i guess, just my opinion too.


Andrew

You can expect to spend anywhere from $500 - $1500 on wheels and rubber, depending upon new or used.
Rad cores (new) $300. Manifold used $75-$150.

My conservative estimate, and this is really conservative, and also how close you are to used parts.

This is mimally going to be a $3000 adventure. By the time you buy plugs, wires, gaskets, tires/rims, rad, manifold, etc. etc. then paint, decals, oil, grease, you get the idea.

There are probably more F-20's out there than any other F series tractor, so if you really want an F-20, you might do better with one a little less "around the corner" than this one. If this one has meaning to you (ie. family relation), then it is worth every dime. If you just want to bring it back, then you have to be the one to determine if it is worth it to you. You can't put a price tag on theraputical old iron restoration time, nor the pride when you are done and can say, "you did it". restoring an old tractor is NEVER an economic investment, you will never get your money or time out of it. It is a labor of love, and how deep your pockets are.

You are the one who needs to decide................

Right on, Tom! Restoring an old tractor such as a F-20 does not make economic sense. However, it is cheap therapy that has great non-monetary rewards.

I have to SLIGHTLY disagree with the statement "...restoring an old tractor is NEVER an economic investment, you will never get your money or time out of it. It is a labor of love, and how deep your pockets are."

I"ve been restoring tractors for over 25 yrs. And I mean RESTORING, not fixing leaks, repainting and slapping new decals on. I"ve never lost money on anything I"ve restored, BUT I don"t count my time. I do this for fun, and sell one after I"m tired of it or looking for another challenge. It depends on WHAT tractor you restore. An F-20? That one could be a tough sell, but a correctly restored tractor, with receipts and documentation, always brings good money. If someone won"t pay for a good restoration, they aren"t really shopping or don"t know what a good restoration is. IF you count your time, then its a businees.. in which case, you probably will take a soaking. Just my 2 cents.