super mta

I just bought a super mta that is stuck. The sheet metal is realy nice except the grill. It has wfe and power steering. I paid $1250 for it. Did I get a ok deal and what are the chances of getting it unstuck. Thanks

Super MTA's are really valuable, even if the motor is junk parts are readily available and they go for 5k+ in mint condition.

Of course the grill is a pricey part but I don't think you did badly. If you can do a lot of the work yourself you will come out OK on the end of the deal.

Chances fro getting it "unstuck" are 100 per cent. Chances you can do it with just atf/acetone about 10 per cent. Do you have another 1000 dollars to put into the engine?

Gordo

Yes I plan on redoing the engine. The tractor had belonged to my grandfather and I was afraid that I paid to much because of that. The tractor used be really nice untill my uncle left it set out side for 15 years.

Adam, you can come out all right on this if you can do a lot of it yourself. I just restored my 1953 Super C I bought back in 2005. I had a couple things done by someone else along with the painting. I just worked at it along the way as it won't even run when I bought it. After I got it running I just tore into another part of it during slow or available periods. I didn't have to do any internal engine or transmission work but every bearing, seal and gasket was looked at and addressed as necessary. I had every hydraulic component on the tractor and the fast hitch system rebuilt by a CaseIH dealership so that was a few $$'s. I have a very nice tractor from these efforts and not a drop of anything under it for now. I don't know if OEM Tractor Parts in Illinois (1-800-283-2122) is still replacing the center sections of SMTA grills or not presently but if your top and bottom sections can be made useable they would put in a newly manufactured center section for you. Someone here on the forum has probably utilized that service and can provide comments for going that route. It will be very easy to exceed the value of what the tractor will be worth once restored back to new condition but you have to really like the end result and especially since it is a family tractor there will be a tremendous amount of satisfaction once it is completed. What you paid for the core for this restoration is within reason and not too excessive. Enjoy your journey and best of luck in a successful completion which you will be very rewarded with, Hal.

(quoted from post at 16:04:53 07/23/10) I don't know if OEM Tractor Parts in Illinois (1-800-283-2122) is still replacing the center sections of SMTA grills or not presently but if your top and bottom sections can be made useable they would put in a newly manufactured center section for you.

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OEM discontinued the SMTA grill for some reason. I bought one but it is still in the shipping box. I have a feeling that the part may have some flaws and was removed from the market. I haven't closely inspected mine. Either that or they may have wanted to preserve the scarcity of that part.

Yep, you could ship the top half of any M grill and they would resistance weld their new lower half on to it. Any body shop could do the same for less cost. I think the resistance welders can even be rented at a good rent-a-tool location. Heck, you could probably buy one from Harbor Freight for the cheapest option.