Identification of old Ford diesel tractor and value

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clfplvw

New User

• Jan 23, 2020

• #1

My brother-in-law passed away recently and one of his hobbies/passions was Ford tractors. He had numerous ones but the best one has been repainted and is a diesel. I've been told that is an unusual tractor but I cannot find a serial number to guide me to what it is or the year. I will attach pictures, one of which is where I understand the serial # should be stamped. (under battery on left side) It has kind of a unique hood emblem but again no number on that and I haven't been able to find a picture that matches it. Hopefully someone can give me an idea of the model and or a way to find a serial number. I would appreciate any help as to a model, perhaps year, and value of the tractor. thanks

 

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DeltaRed

Well-known Member

• Jan 23, 2020

• #1

800 series. made 55 to 57. Been repainted. Should be grey hood/fenders,red underbody.172 ci diesel engine. they had several transmission and pto options. That's a good lookin tractor.should be worth 3000 to 4000.

 

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DeltaRed

Well-known Member

• Jan 23, 2020

• #1

The clutch pedal indicates it is a 'Selecto-o-Speed' transmission. It is a 10 speed powershift.Not one of ford's better ideas.Most SoS tractors are either in the junkyard or in collections no longer working.

 

D

Dieseltech

Well-known Member

Location

Akron, Indiana

• Jan 23, 2020

• #1

The serial number is stamped on the flat pad area just rear of the starter. Bad thing is over time battery acid eats away at that area since the stamped numbers ar right under the starter. I have an 871 diesel that the numbers are gone, as acid has damaged that area badly.

 

showcrop

Well-known Member

• Jan 23, 2020

• #1

That is either an 871 or 881. There is no difference in value between the two. The serial number if readable would be on the horizontal surface under the battery. It is probably not readable due to corrosion from battery acid. The work done on it is obviously high quality. The grill is incorrect but a correct one shouldn't be hard to find. judging from the air cleaner it is an early unit probably 1958-1959. It would most likely sell as a show piece and I think that it could bring $5,000-$8,000 depending on proof of engine and injection pump work.

 

Destroked 450

Well-known Member

Location

Harned, Ky

• Jan 23, 2020

• #1

The hood emblem is for a 54 model NAA, but the tractor is a 671 diesel built between 58-62.
601 models with diesel engines aren't very common but my brother had two 671 diesels like that one, they don't look that good.
I have a unrestored 62 model 881 diesel.

 

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DeltaRed

Well-known Member

• Jan 23, 2020

• #1

Didn't know there were any 600 series diesels. Is it the 134?

 

grandpa Love

Well-known Member

• Jan 23, 2020

• #1

Delta Red..... Is that a fact? Or opinion?

 

J

john in la

Well-known Member

Location

What part of in La do you not understand

• Jan 23, 2020

• #1

From what I can see that is a 1959 671 with a 144
cu in engine. Parts for that motor and transmission
are about as rare as hens teeth so as long as it
works you are good. But if it ever has a major break
down you have a unusable tractor.

 

showcrop

Well-known Member

• Jan 23, 2020

• #1

Yes, I didn't think of it being a 671 which is far more likely. I don't think that it would hurt the value a lot though since it is a showpiece, not a worker.

 

A

aFORDable

Member

• Jan 23, 2020

• #1

I'll take a stab on the value. IF it is mechanically sound I'd say $2500- $3500 +/-.

 

OP

OP

C

clfplvw

New User

• Jan 23, 2020

• #1

This is all great info. and quick responses, you guys must love these tractors! I'm beginning to be more appreciative of them.
As far as SN location, yes the spot under the battery, where I have found other SN on other ford tractors, is completely smooth. One of the pictures show this area and if you blow it up it looks smoother than the surrounding casting like it was sanded or ground down.
From the responses I've read so far, would you all concur that it is probably a 1959 671 w/a 144 cu. in. diesel with the wrong hood emblem. I am pretty sure I remember that it has the Select-o-matic transmission. It is stored about 75 miles from where I live. Haven't tried starting it as the fuel had been drained out but it does turn over without a problem. Maybe will try starting it when it warms up. Not being a diesel guy in any wave shape or form, any suggestions as best way to prime and start the ole girl, or maybe it best not to even try to start it??

 

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Case Nutty 1660

Well-known Member

• Jan 23, 2020

• #1

I still know of a good number of SOS equipped units

 

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Leroy

Well-known Member

• Jan 23, 2020

• #1

The only person around that knew how to work on them within a hundred miles is now either completely retired or has passed on, more than likely. Don't tink any are still in use.

 

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Leroy

Well-known Member

• Jan 23, 2020

• #1

That is the correct paint for the 601 series Workmaster tractor and the 601 and 701 tractors were the only models to have the red hood from the factory. The 801 and 901 were the Powermaster and had the gey hood.

 

S

Smalltowner

Member

• Jan 23, 2020

• #1

Here?s a pic from Temple Texas show couple years
ago with correct decals and nose emblem.

 

J

john in la

Well-known Member

Location

What part of in La do you not understand

• Jan 23, 2020

• #1

I am not a big SOS buff so this may be wrong but
one of these other guys can verify.

Didn?t they stamp the model and serial number on
the opposite side on the replacement SOS trans
during the recall.

 

J

JerryS

Well-known Member

• Jan 23, 2020

• #1

You can find out a lot about your tractor by going to this site:

fordtractorcollectors.com/identify-my-tractor/...

This is one of the sites that provides all the excellent information that John Smith assembled through the years. It won't help
you determine a selling price, but you will be more knowledgeable about what you are selling.

 

Destroked 450

Well-known Member

Location

Harned, Ky

• Jan 23, 2020

• #1

Not sure about the stamping but even though they had a recall not all of the transmissions were swapped.
His trans has casting number 312259 which is the overrunning clutch model it would have came with, my 881 diesel still has it's original 312259 trans.

 

showcrop

Well-known Member

• Jan 23, 2020

• #1

(quoted from post at 13:08:53 01/23/20) I am not a big SOS buff so this may be wrong but
one of these other guys can verify.

Didn?t they stamp the model and serial number on
the opposite side on the replacement SOS trans
during the recall.

Click to expand...

John, my 1959 971 has the 2nd gen SOS with no numbers at all stamped into the case.

 

T

Tracy Brown

Member

• Jan 23, 2020

• #1

I think the smaller diesel is a 144ci

 

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DeltaRed

Well-known Member

• Jan 23, 2020

• #1

Opinion from stemming from observation.

 

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Texasmark1

Well-known Member

• Jan 24, 2020

• #1

Are you saying that the overrun clutch was internal (like today's compact tractors with tranny PTO), rather than having to add one to the PTO shaft like is
required with my 4 cyl 4 speed tranny PTO 2000 Ford?

 

BarnyardEngineering

Well-known Member

Location

Rochester, NY

• Jan 24, 2020

• #1

Running and driving will make it exponentially more valuable than sitting there. Not running, a buyer can only assume it's dead, or at least has a major problem, and will not pay more than scrap value for it. Doesn't matter how shiny the paint is. Lots of "pigs with lipstick" out there on the market.

 

Destroked 450

Well-known Member

Location

Harned, Ky

• Jan 24, 2020

• #1

(quoted from post at 08:28:11 01/24/20) Are you saying that the overrun clutch was internal (like today's compact tractors with tranny PTO), rather than having to add one to the PTO shaft like is
required with my 4 cyl 4 speed tranny PTO 2000 Ford?

Click to expand...

Nothing to do with the pto, early transmissions had a overrunning clutch system that allowed the tractor to freewheel in certain gears when headed down grade, the shifter had red lines on the gear indicator to warn the operator but a person not use to the tractor could experience a runaway condition.
Ford changed the design of the transmission using a direct drive clutch system in the 60's that provided holdback capability in all gears, they then issued a recall to replace to overrunning clutch transmissions but not everyone took their tractors back to the dealers to have the transmissions swapped.
PTO's on SOS tractors were independent with a control handle on the dash shroud to engage and disengage the pto, no clutching needed, the down side was they didn't have a pto brake to stop the pto shaft from rolling while disengaged, to connect or disconnect a implements pro shaft to the tractor the engine had to be shut off.