Farmll H Reatoration

Can anyone give me an estimate on the cost to restore a far all h. Any help is appreciated

Need a better description on what you want to have done.

Vito

Basically just get it running good and looking good. I'm not if you guys have heard of the delo tractor restoration competition but me and my friend want to enter it but were wondering how much it would cost at least just an idea and the tractors condition would probably be fence row.

And what you are starting out with. Motor and drive train good?

Can you post a picture?

Well I'm not sure we haven't went and looked at one yet but could you give us an estimate for both good and bad

You'll have $5-6000 in it easy, esp. if you can't paint or wrench. Pretty top dollar group you're trying to get in , in my humble opinion.

3K and UP.....

An H is so common that a restored one makes little impression. The cost could be at 6K to win a 10$ trophy. Much better is to spend the same cash on a much more desirable or rare tractor. 150 high utility, SMDTA, or SuperA1. I am just certain you are going to build a pristine example of a box of cheerios. Jim

Restore means different things to different people but the easiest way to answer your question is that it will cost 2 to 3 times more than what the tractor is worth. So in other words, if you're on a budget, you'll never recoup your money.

I have an M and it cost $3,500 for the motor work at the machine shop, another $1,000 in water pump/flywheel/radiator/starter rebuild/wiring/battery etc..., $500 in seat, gas tank refurbish, electrical components, fluids etc...So I'm at $5,000 and still need to fix brakes, fix leaks, new tires/rims, steering wheel, shock/spring, lights, paint and god knows what else. I have to agree with Jim, do a working restoration to make it run and drive then spend your money on something rare or special to you, in my case this M and my wife's MTA are family owned tractors and have a great deal of sentimental value. So if your H has sentimental value you could be looking at anywhere from $1,000 if the tractor is already in great shape to $10,000 for a full trailer queen restoration if it needs a ton of work. Just understand that tractor will not bring what you have in it if you want to sell it later. ~Anthony

when looking to do a full restore.

don't scrimp on the base machine.

IE.. don't save a few bills and buy a 800$ junker vs a 1200$ runner.

you will spoend more than that 400$ difference ( multiples ).. to make it a better tractor.

preferably one with good tins.. and an older or more recent rebuild engine.. so that perhaps just simple engine work needs doing. not a full engine build..e tc. that saves 500$ in parts kit right there and that much or 1000$ on labor.

Don't do it. It's like restoring a 78 Oldsmobile 4dr 98 . No collectible value.

If it is a hobby go for it as you will never get your money out of it. Hobbies don't have to be profitable, just fun.

You have to define the word restore,are you going to do the work yourself or send it out? I will give you an example, about 5 years ago we needed another old horse around the farm, I like and use a few old Masseys and run across a 44 special for $1400, it was very original and pretty straight and ran. Did all the work myself, new engine, clutch, cooling, brakes, tires, 12volt. power steering, hydraulics. paint, etc, etc. about $7500. This tractor looked and ran ok but once you start tearing them apart there all pretty tired old girls, and thats why there setting or for sale.

I am currently restoring my grandpa's H. I define restored as taking everything apart, and repairing or replacing whatever needs it. So far, I have spent $1500 on the engine block and gaskets (new sleeves, pistons, machine work etc...) and about $300 or so on the cylinder head work. I have bought every gasket and seal for the entire tractor and have spent about $800 on that. I didn't have to buy rear tires, but if you do, it will be another grand or so. The front tires and tubes were $250. I have used multiple cans of brake cleaner at $3 each, lots of blue shop towels and haven't even gotten into the transmission yet. The new clutch and pressure plate ran about $200 if I recall correctly. To get some of the cast pieces I needed, I have purchased another tractor or two to take apart and get the needed items. Of course, if you do that, you can sell some of what you don't need as well. When it comes time to paint it all, I will probably spend $300 or more for materials using IH brand paint and epoxy primer....if you buy auto brand paint, that cost will be a lot more. A new seat runs $125 or so... And if you ask someone to do all of this, you will have hundreds of hours into it to pay for. I really haven't bought any bearings yet, but probably will need to. So, I guess you can get an idea of what it costs to do it...there isn't a set cost, each one is different., but plan on a minimum of $5000 and don't be surprised if it is more!

Makes a difference if the tractor was a family machine in the past.
A common tractor to one person can be very special to someone else.

As I read his input, he has not started to look for one yet. Thus the only "tie" there would be association with any H because of past use of an H. Pretty weak as a motive to spend big on a common tractor by choice. Just my opinion. (My brothers and I have several H and Sh tractors, so i actually appreciate them mucho. But they are usually not profound. Jim

If you are planning on a total job don't even think about anything less than mid grade automotive paint with hardener. The bright colors fade and dull so fast if you use tractor dealer paint that it would be heart breaking.

Thank you for all the replys and if it needs replaced it will be replaced. We will do as much as we can