Ford 671 Select O Speed

[Johnjk]

Greetings, I am new to the old tractor world and I have the option of picking up a Ford 671 Select O Speed tractor from extended family and I'm trying to determine a ballpark price for it. It is a non runner, last started I believe in 2020. The last time I saw her run was in 1995. Battery is dead. Gas tank is empty, no rust or visible sediment. Sediment bowl is empty as well. Oil in engine and transmission are up to the full mark and clean. Radiator is bone dry, cap is rusted and falling apart BUT the core looks to be brand new. My initial thought is they replaced the core and never got to filling it. All rubber hoses are petrified. Front tires are flat, rears are down a bit but still holding air. Wiring is disconnected in many locations. I believe as they were trying to get it started, they disconnected what they thought was putting a load on the system. It has the key and I was able to rotate the engine by hand a couple revolutions. Air intake to the carb was disconnected, but the oil bowl had oil in it. No sign of mice or other critters living in the carb or under other metal. Linkage to the carb moves. Minimal rust on sheet metal and some leaking from the top of the motor probably around the valve cover. All front sheet metal is in place and the only bent piece I see is on the RT foot rest. 1281 hrs on the meter. It has been barn kept its entire life and the exhaust stack has a flapper on it to keep out critters and any water but judging by the dust layer on her, she hasn't seen water in many years. I don't know if the clutch or transmission is free. She was parked with a 60" brush cutter on the back and I'd need to get that removed to pull her out of the barn.

What do these units go for in a non running condition? I'm seeing 600-800 online for a non runner. My next question is around parts and how available are things like gasket kits, carb rebuild kits, ignition components, tires... Can I source these easily? As far as the drive train, The unit is either a 56 or 57. I should have the paperwork on it later today (full service history, purchase invoice, owners manual and service manual). What are the known issues with a Select O Speed that I need to watch out for?

 

[EdGooding]

I generally will not offer more than $500 for a non-runner. Since this is family, you may want to up it some.
Parts for everything but the SOS tranny will be easy to get. Ford offered that 134ci OHV engine from '53 through '64. If the SOS needs parts, you will have to hunt for them, I believe.
I hope Rod Mondor is still with us, as he is an SOS expert. He runs Forest Lake Tractor Sales in MN - 5185 Scandia Trail N, Forest Lake, MN 55025. 651 464 4628
If you haven't driven an SOS tractor, they can be a little jerky when engaging some gears. Some folks refer to the SOS as the "jerkomatic" transmission. It's just one of its characteristics.

 

[Johnjk]

I generally will not offer more than $500 for a non-runner. Since this is family, you may want to up it some.
Parts for everything but the SOS tranny will be easy to get. Ford offered that 134ci OHV engine from '53 through '64. If the SOS needs parts, you will have to hunt for them, I believe.
I hope Rod Mondor is still with us, as he is an SOS expert. He runs Forest Lake Tractor Sales in MN - 5185 Scandia Trail N, Forest Lake, MN 55025. 651 464 4628
If you haven't driven an SOS tractor, they can be a little jerky when engaging some gears. Some folks refer to the SOS as the "jerkomatic" transmission. It's just one of its characteristics.

Thanks for the quick response and info. My gut has me in that 500-800 range, on the high side because family. I'll reach out to Forest Lake Tractor Sales and see what they say on the SOS. I'm probably not gonna know the condition till I get her running. If we can make a deal, the fun part will be getting it loaded and back down home. Only an hour north of me but there is no other running equipment on this property.

 

[EdGooding]

Here's a link to a digital copy of an original sales brochure for the SOS: Manuals Forum - Expanded Thread Page

 

[John0829]

Personally I really like the hundred series Fords but the early SOS transmissions I would avoid unless there is documentation it had been upgraded with better parts from the early/mid 60's. When the SOS works it is an nice thing to have, it makes the old Ford tractor tiller capable where a manual transmission has to fast ground speed but when the SOS break...$$$

Most that I know about have removed the SOS and put in a used manual 4 or 5 speed. Pick it up for $440-500 and put another $500 for a used transmission and you will have a dependable, hard working old tractor.

 

[Johnjk]

Thanks Guys. Waiting on the paperwork package. We have to head back up there this evening and will grab it at that time. Bummer that it is a 2hr round trip away. Hard to get there and spend any time tinkering prior to deciding. Nice to know there are options with the transmission in the event it is bad.

 

[oldnslo]

We had a 1966 5,000 on the farm and the select-O-speed was a constant irritant when trying to back up to something since there was no feathering the clutch. Tranny died in 84 and at that time dealer said repair would be more expensive than value of the tractor. I put the 4 x 2 manual in it and was still running a few years ago.

Long way of saying don’t be surprised if the SOS is not fully functional.

 

[KCTractors]

Greetings, I am new to the old tractor world and I have the option of picking up a Ford 671 Select O Speed tractor from extended family and I'm trying to determine a ballpark price for it. It is a non runner, last started I believe in 2020. The last time I saw her run was in 1995. Battery is dead. Gas tank is empty, no rust or visible sediment. Sediment bowl is empty as well. Oil in engine and transmission are up to the full mark and clean. Radiator is bone dry, cap is rusted and falling apart BUT the core looks to be brand new. My initial thought is they replaced the core and never got to filling it. All rubber hoses are petrified. Front tires are flat, rears are down a bit but still holding air. Wiring is disconnected in many locations. I believe as they were trying to get it started, they disconnected what they thought was putting a load on the system. It has the key and I was able to rotate the engine by hand a couple revolutions. Air intake to the carb was disconnected, but the oil bowl had oil in it. No sign of mice or other critters living in the carb or under other metal. Linkage to the carb moves. Minimal rust on sheet metal and some leaking from the top of the motor probably around the valve cover. All front sheet metal is in place and the only bent piece I see is on the RT foot rest. 1281 hrs on the meter. It has been barn kept its entire life and the exhaust stack has a flapper on it to keep out critters and any water but judging by the dust layer on her, she hasn't seen water in many years. I don't know if the clutch or transmission is free. She was parked with a 60" brush cutter on the back and I'd need to get that removed to pull her out of the barn.

What do these units go for in a non running condition? I'm seeing 600-800 online for a non runner. My next question is around parts and how available are things like gasket kits, carb rebuild kits, ignition components, tires... Can I source these easily? As far as the drive train, The unit is either a 56 or 57. I should have the paperwork on it later today (full service history, purchase invoice, owners manual and service manual). What are the known issues with a Select O Speed that I need to watch out for?

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If it was near me in Central Wi, I would offer $800 to a $1000 for it.

 

[Alan W.]

You may want to watch this.

 

[5030]

500 max. You might get your 500 back from another sucker. Those are like the old Massey's with the Multi Torque. If the work, fine, if they don't, they are a money pit. Guess if you like old tractors and are willing to dump a ton of money into one, it's all good but even if it works, really not capable of doing any real work, other than maybe a parade tractor...