Beginning H Restoration

I just picked up a 1944 H yesterday and I'm going to begin the restoration. The engine is currently seized and I have ATF soaking in the cylinders. Any suggestions on what work I should begin?

first thing i would do is pull the head and get started from there.
nice unit.

Ya good point take the head off to start and make sure you det all the leaks fixed to.

I'm of the opinion that you need to run them before you restore them. I would hate to go through all the work to fix them up then have to take them apart to fix something.

restoration and disassembly go hand in hand.

ATF? old will be proud of you.


Gene

Have your head examined by a Doctor.
Just kidding, it looks like a good tractor for restoration.

Good advice about getting it running first. If at all possible, try to "un-stick" the motor, then work toward getting it to fire (may be rather hard to do, since I don't see a carb attached to the intake).

The process of bringing it back to a running state before restoration does several very important things. First, you will familiarize yourself with the tractor, and its basic operation and construction. Secondly, you will be able to systematically evaluate the main systems (fuel, electrical, lubrication, etc.) for defects and flaws. Lastly, after having the tractor running, at least once, and regardless of how poorly, you will have the psychological impetus/drive to help see you through those difficult times when the tractor is in a thousand pieces, and you are wondering why you ever got yourself into this mess.

The last part of the above, I know about very well.

I left my country home about 12 years ago for the city to begin a new life, and finish raising my family (not enough money "back home"). Kept the old home place, but left my old Farmall H parked in front of the pole building in the weather.

Didn't go back till two years ago. Thankfully, no one had broken into the pole building, or otherwise molested much. Tractor was where I had left it, complete with flat tires, a thick covering of green moss, and LOTS of rust, brush, leaves, sticks, etc. Oh, and there was a 7" sycamore growing up between the drawbar and the axle housing.

I realized that if I did not get it running again, I probably never would. After much effort, and actually little expense (oil, filter, plug wires, cap, rotor, etc.), it is once again in a running state. Belches blue-black smoke when fired up, barely maintains oil pressure, brakes shudder like they have Parkinson's, and runs rougher than the Rocky Road to Dublin, but it does indeed run.

The tractor is, and has been since I got it running, parked INSIDE the building, sports a new battery, steering wheel, rebuilt carb, and various other parts, along with a growing savings account that will permit me to completely overhaul it this winter. In a pinch, and until I begin tearing it down, I can fire it up at will, and use it if necessary.

Moral: Try to get your tractor running first. The rest will seem so much easier.

Get it running first!!! and don't skimp on engine parts replace sleeves,Pistons,Rings and Bearings. Especially the Sleeves. Give it a good heart and it will be good to you