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revive Dad's Ford 640? (long)
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Posted by Paul (C-IL) on August 13, 2003 at 08:02:57 from (198.70.20.138):
So, I how does one decide when a tractor is worth undertaking as a project, and (even harder) how does one keep sentimental value from entering into the decision? My parents moved to town about eight years ago, but kept the old house and outbuildings in the country. They have been renting the old house. So a few weeks ago, my father asks me what I think he should do with that old tractor. I am not sure why he thought I should know as I am now living 100+ miles away, but he knows I remember driving that as a boy and there is some sentimental value there. Anyway "that old tractor" is a 1955 Ford 640 that Dad purchased new. I don't believe it has been run in the eight years since my parents moved. Worse, it has set outside most of that time. Dad says the engine is seized (which I suspect is true) but I am not sure what if anything he has done to try to free it up. My new bride and I have talked about getting a place a little out of town. When that happens I am sure we could find some uses for the 640. For now though we are living in an apartment. The good news is that my brother (who lives closer-but also has little mechanical background) is also somewhat interested in this project and has volunteered his garage space. So how do I decide if this project is worth undertaking? And if it is how do I decide whether to do any of the work myself, or hire it all out? I admit in high school I was one of the geeky kids who spent my free time in the computer lab learning BASIC and PASCAL when my classmates were in shop souping up their '72 Chevy Novas. So I have very little mechanical experience. That said, for some reason, I feel like attempting to get this tractor running is something I would enjoy. I can read and follow directions, but I don't know how the good documentation is for a 1955 Ford. I have been trying to read up on this and other sites. From that research it appears that the 600 series isn't really much of a collector's item, but it is still a decent work tractor for small jobs. I mentioned the new bride, and I don't want this potential project to create friction there. But one factor here is that several of my new in-laws happen to be into antique tractors. One of her cousins is active in the antique tractor pulling scene, and several of her uncles dabble in it. And one uncle has some nicely restored stuff that only gets entered in tractor shows & parades. BUT... the in-laws are serious IH people. Though they do have some other brands. I have a good relationship with them and feel like I could get support from them if I decide to undertake this project. (as an aside...someday I would enjoy getting into tractor pulling-but I am smart enough to realize that the 640 is a poor choice for that. If I wanted to do it with a Ford I would be looking for a 901-but more likely a Farmall M or JD D would be on the wish list for that project-which is still on the "someday" list) As far as this Ford 640, if I decided to undertake it my goal would be to get it running to be able to use it, rather than make it into a world class restoration. It just seems wrong to have a tractor that never gets used for what it was intended. I intend to go out with Dad and look at this. I will take the digital camera along and try to determine how bad off it really is. So my question is: should I undertake this project (if so should I try to do any of it myself, or hire all of it out? I do realize that the machine work will need to be hired anyway), or should I just gulp and make the difficult suggestion to Dad that he try to sell it as is? From looking at the tractor values on this site, I suspect in its current state it's worth about the same as what New Holland wants for a service manual. How do you decide whether it's hopeless? And if I am going to do it, how do I ball park cost?
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