Ford 1700

[cmsedore]

I was started on my quest for a new tractor by the untimely failure of my Ford 1700. I now am the happy owner of a Kubota L4610, but still have the Ford 1700 sitting outside my barn.

Anyway, I'm wondering what I should do with it. I would venture a guess that it has a broken rod or similar internal engine problem. (For those interested: I was snowblowing at full RPM when it made a clank/clunk. RPM's dropped to about 1000 with no change in the throttle position. It had almost no power (had to come back in the driveway at about 1mph). I don't think it is the crank, because the starter turns the rear and the front of the crank turns, plus it ran enough to get it off the road.) When I learned it would likely cost ~$2000 or more plus six weeks to get it fixed, I decided it was time to move on. It was rebuilt once before (and the shop didn't quite get it right--one cylinder took a few extra seconds to catch in cold weather), so I'm not sure how rebuildable it is now.

It has some good parts left (as far as I can tell, the all the cast parts are in tact, the starter and alternator were recently rebuilt, and the hyd pump is fine). Appearance wise, let's say it has been well used.

Some folks have offered to buy it, but I'm not sure what a fair price would be.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

-Chris

 

[s1120]

I don't know what it would be worth, but if you are looking to sell it, I would like to see a picture of it. I love a good project./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[karmakanic]

Two thoughts:

Put an ad in the TBN classified section. Or put it up for sale on Ebay. It's amazing what stuff sells for on Ebay. That's where I sold my old Farmall 400, and I figure it brought about 1k more on ebay then it would of locally.

As to what to sell it for, I don't really have an idea. But the 1700 series was very popular, there should be a decent market for the parts. And since it still runs it's repairable. Kinda sounds like from your description it broke a piston or dropped a valve. If there's no damage to block or crank it's fixable without too much expense by someone doing the work themselves. Pulling the cylinder head would tell you, but if you're going to sell it as is, it's best to leave it togeather so someone can at least hear it run.

HTH,
Dave Perry

 

[cmsedore]

Pictures following.

 

[cmsedore]

Another...

 

[cmsedore]

I might move those lights to the Kubota loader frame (after enclosing them in a steel shell.

 

[cmsedore]

Nothing wrong with the 3pt, just used the belt to hold it up when I pulled it out of the barn.

 

[cmsedore]

How about the picture...

 

[cmsedore]

Engine looks OK.

 

[cmsedore]

Other side, starter and alternator.

 

[popeye]

Just a little engine work, a little paint, a few other items and she'll look almost new. Hmmmmmm

 

[Kodiak]

I'll bet theres a few of those around here at some of the dairies, that are nothing left butthe engine and running gear.

 

[s1120]

So did you decide if you are going to sell it?If so I may be intrested. Did you come up with a price? Looks like a fair bit of work ahead for someone, but it looks like its mostly there. Does,[did] everything else work on it? Any other problems we can't see?

 

[cmsedore]

It is definately going. I was posting to find out what's fair /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. I was hoping to fund part of a Kasco quick hitch add-on for my L4610. (Still not sure how much one costs as they've not gotten back to me.)


As far as I know, here are the other issues with it:

1) it should have a new or recored radiator. The current one doesn't leak as far as I know, but it is missing one support and many fins are bent. It doesn't have a thermostat in it currently (last one failed, took it out so I could keep working. I think I also have the new one here).

2) on two occasions this past winter, I'd clutched and taken it out of gear, but when I let the clutch out, it was still in gear. Never happened before that I recall, not sure if there's any thing to this or not. There's no play in the shifters or cliutch, so it may just have been one of life's odd occurances.

3) One rear wheel plate is slightly bent. It has been this way for years, but doesn't affect its usage.

4) The light wiring is worn out. I hadn't used the lights for several years before this past winter--I just put those lights on and got them working (the superstitious part of me says that it died because I fixed the lights . The temperature gauge wiring should be fixed. It has a ground problem (fails hot, so no risk of not knowing). It worked last I used it, but I'd lashed it together to get the driveway plowed.

5) the tires are original. It has been stored inside for most of its life (it was left out a fair amount in the summer because it had implements on). The tires you see are original, a little checked but not too bad.

6) the foot throttle and one of the pegs to hold the foot plate have been welded, The foot throttle needs to be welded again. If the peg bothered someone, it could be replaced--I just welded it for expediency.

7) almost forgot, the front differential leaks where the driveshaft goes in. When I talked to the dealer about this, he seemed to think this was a common problem and told me it would cost about $250 to have him fix it, including trucking it back and forth.

Somewhere I have a block heater for it (freeze plug variety, never installed).

All that said, if I could have ordered a new engine for it, I'd still be using it. It will be a sad day for me when it leaves. It came home when I was about 11 years old and I have many memories of time spent working with it.

-Chris

 

[Kodiak]

Ah theres nothing like a two tractor family.

 

[Inspector507]

Chris,
I think everyone is waiting for the offer to just haul it off /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif just teasing.

 

[s1120]

<font color=red>I think everyone is waiting for the offer to just haul it off </font color=red>

I will be there tomarrow night./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

No realy, If you come up with a idea of a price, I may be interested.