Just bought an F-12, 1st restoration any suggestions?

AGRforever · Oct 22, 2010

Just bought an F-12, (I think 1936) 1st restoration for me. It is the model my great grandfather started with on our families farm. I think its going to be plenty of work but its also going to be plenty of fun.

I'm all ears if anyone has any suggestions of where to start or what to read.

I'll take all the help I can get!!!

Link to tractor: http://www.proxibid.com/asp/LotDetail.asp?ahid=527&aid=32089&lid=8926853#topoflot

Thanks,
Josh

Anonymous-0 · Oct 22, 2010

Sell it if possible, if impossible give it away. You could restore a good tractor such as an F-20, H or M for about the same money and you would have a real, useful tractor.

36F30 · Oct 22, 2010

Nice looking tractor, still has the kerosene manifold and heat control lever. Got a 36 myself just like yours.

Get the book "Collectors Originality Guide Farmall regular and F series" by Oscar Will and Todd Markle. Lots of great info in there.

Then get an Owners manual, a parts book and a shop manual. I get originals but you can get reprints.

Where to start?........ We need to know if the motor is stuck. Is the block cracked like most of them you find?

Tear it down, take reference pictures as you go. Sometimes you get lucky and can just clean em up, sometimes you gotta rebuild everything.
Good luck!

If you get stuck ask us, some great people on here will help. Ignore the knuckleheads who always seem to show up too. Your little F12 is the proving ground for the next step in the row crop revolution started by the Regular. The transmission being part of the frame and the final reduction on board instead of drop boxes led the way to the H,M and can be seen in almost every rowcrop tractor built for years after.

Doug Steinbach · Oct 22, 2010

ignore Tom 43. He's an idiot. Just search around the site, you can easily verify that.

The F12 is great old tractor to restore. Easy to work on. There's lots of knowledge guys here who can answer any question you have.

AGRforever · Oct 22, 2010

lol, I have all the "useful" tractors I need. This ones to look at. Thanks for your help though!!!!!

(quoted from post at 18:01:12 10/22/10) Sell it if possible, if impossible give it away. You could restore a good tractor such as an F-20, H or M for about the same money and you would have a real, useful tractor.

CNKS · Oct 22, 2010

Ignore Tom, he likes to give wierd answers. First check out the mechanical condition. It could only need seals and gaskets, etc or it could need a complete overhaul. Then do the cosmetics. I assume it runs. Personally, I am not familiar with the F series, but you will find all the answers you need on this forum. There is also a recent book on the F series, the title escapes me now, but someone will know.

Charlie M · Oct 22, 2010

It would help if you gave us an idea of what shape its currently in. Some guys it don't matter - they just go through everything end to end and others only do what is necessary. Depends on what you want for an end product.

James Williams · Oct 22, 2010

AGR,A 1936 F12 was my first project,It was in terrible condition,I lucked out becaues mine had a road gear,The block was cracked,but thats no problem,and the motor was stuck.The rims were completly gone,and a lot of parts were missing.Now its my favorite tractor,It will start when nothing else will,I just took it to plow day and it preformed perfect.

jimmy

CNKS · Oct 22, 2010

36F30 has the book title I was thinking of.

AGRforever · Oct 22, 2010

Its hard to tell you want condition its in since I don't have a reference point. It much tougher then the showroom floor but it seems decent for 1936 but is going to take work. It wasn't sitting a swamp but honestly its to new to me to really have a full assessment.

I plan to go through the whole thing and get the best or most accurate tractor as an end result. This project isn't about getting a tractor to work the farm.

(quoted from post at 18:20:19 10/22/10) It would help if you gave us an idea of what shape its currently in. Some guys it don't matter - they just go through everything end to end and others only do what is necessary. Depends on what you want for an end product.

AGRforever · Oct 22, 2010

Its hard to tell you want condition its in since I don't have a reference point. It much tougher then the showroom floor but it seems decent for 1936 but is going to take work. It wasn't sitting a swamp but honestly its to new to me to really have a full assessment.

I plan to go through the whole thing and get the best or most accurate tractor as an end result. This project isn't about getting a tractor to work the farm.

(quoted from post at 18:20:19 10/22/10) It would help if you gave us an idea of what shape its currently in. Some guys it don't matter - they just go through everything end to end and others only do what is necessary. Depends on what you want for an end product.

Doug Steinbach · Oct 22, 2010

I just rebuilt mine about a year ago. Top to bottom and end to end except for the transmission.

For as little as it costs I'd just go ahead and rebuild the engine. You'll know what you have then for years to come.

But that's just me.

GNP Fatboy · Oct 22, 2010

Great tractor to restore. Nice and simple and light to move around. Fixed or restored many 12/14s. Enjoyed them all. Still keep one on the farm and use it often. Have lots of parts if you need any. Good luck and have fun.
Kevin

Tony S. · Oct 22, 2010

Would you have a hydraulic pump for sale?

F-Dean · Oct 22, 2010

The first book I would purchase would be a International Harvestor Shop Manual for F-Series tractors (F-12,F-14,O-12,O-14,W-12,W-14,F-20,F-30,1020,W-30 & W-40) It is a very helpful book with diagrams and tables for each of these models.

PAKEHA · Oct 23, 2010

I have an F-14 I bought about 3 months ago. I have 'newer' and faster tractors, but so far my 'old and slow' F-14 is my favourite to drive round on and use. I am enjoying fixing and fettling it as much (may be more) than driving.

Ditto the advice to get a shop and user manual. Set a while and read and read and ponder! Especially when stuck - then ask questions on the forum.

Rice equipment are very recommended for parts and some advice too. they can supply what others have told me are not available. Ask for Frank.

I took my F-14 to its first show today - it didn't make it

. Front axle seized and shore off, tilting the single front tyre which ripped itself to bits on a bolt...
Oh, well.

GNP Fatboy · Oct 23, 2010

Sorry not right now.

Matt Kaiser · Oct 24, 2010

In 1935 and before the tractors were grey and in 1936 and after the tractors were red. Pull something off that is some trouble like a frame rail to see if their is some red somewhere. All the rims or steel wheels were red though.
Very cool and fun tractor to work with.
Here is a pic of my Regular that I sold before I finished.

AGRforever · Oct 24, 2010

Best we can tell this one is pre-red.

The engine is seized up so that will take extra work, but we'll see how many other things we run into!!

Matt Kaiser · Oct 24, 2010

Yea
Mine was painted red when needed to be grey.
Doesnt suprise me. Engine stuck with no starter. Fun stuff

36F30 · Oct 24, 2010

Actually all the tractors including the F series were grey until November of 36, this is when IH's fiscal year changed and there after they were red.

Just bought an F-12, 1st restoration any suggestions?

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