New Member - Old Tractor

[ken324]

I recently acquired a 1953 Ford NAA that has had quite a bit of mechanical updates and repairs but is really in need of new cosmetics. I was looking for a site like this and was referred by the previous owner. The only mechanical issue that I am aware of at this time is a slow leak at the left side sector shaft of the steering box. The previous owner rebuilt the box and says the leak is due to wear on the sector shaft. I really don't want to tear into the box again and would appreciate any suggestions to stop the leak.

I am a retired unemployable cabinet maker with a 9 acre place in the southeastern Oklahoma hills. I needed a tractor mainly for mowing as when we get rain, the weeds and persimmon soon take over. I am hoping to get the tractor as close to 100% mechanically as possible. I give it a good 95% now. However, the sheet metal is a different story. After a bit of cobbling new metal and other various bits, the paint scheme runs from Ford red through Ford blue with some Ford grey and primer red to an interim cover of railroad yellow. Anyway, I will get pictures to document the change. I will have to wait on some cooler weather since sandblasting the old paint and rust is necessary. I am glad to be a part of this site and hope I can contribute down the road. By the way, I also design and build fretted instruments, both acoustic and electric. I am thinking that rebuilding tractors and building guitars can become very expensive hobbies. I am glad to have this tractor since most of the mechanical work has been done.

 

[Fawken]

:welcome: Welcome from Texas. I'm also old with an old Ford. Not that old though.

 

[ken324]

Thanks.
I'm older than my tractor but not near as rustic. At least yours is consistently blue.

 

[Fawken]

Are you going for complete restoration or just get it reliable? There is a fella down the street who restores old N's and the early model Ford cars. Drives them in the local parades. I restored that 83 model 1100 about 4 years ago. I figured after 28 years of working and being left out in the rain, she deserved it. You should have seen how rough and rusty she was.

 

[MitchellB]

Welcome. You may want to post your problem with your NAA over on the Vintage Ford section for some more expert suggestions. I'm not an professional tractor mechanic, but if the shaft is worn, seems to my there are only a few ways to fix it. You may be able to make/install a bushing and new seal; you can weld the shaft at the worn spot, turn it down and install new seal; or buy a new shaft & seal. If I wanted 100%, then weld or replace the worn shaft. However all those fixes require disassembly. Since a nice paint job will require some disassembly also, I'd consider doing it all at the same time if you are doing this yourself. It can get pretty expensive if you hire someone else to do it for you though. Good luck with it.

 

[ken324]

Thanks, I know that after pulling off all the sheet metal required for painting most of the mechanical bits are accessible for work. I will get over to the vintage Ford section and see what responses I get. I am not averse to replacing the shaft other than the replacement is somewhat pricey.

 

[MitchellB]

Thanks, I know that after pulling off all the sheet metal required for painting most of the mechanical bits are accessible for work. I will get over to the vintage Ford section and see what responses I get. I am not averse to replacing the shaft other than the replacement is somewhat pricey.

A decent welder could build up that shaft for you for very little cost, even less if you have a friend with a welder. If you work carefully, a grinder, set of files & some emory cloth you could work the shaft back down almost as good as a machinist could do and it wouldn't cost you anything else but time.

 

[TBN Support]

Welcome to the forum. :welcome: Congrats on the new-to-you Ford!

I'm going to move your thread on over to the vintage Ford section to see if we can get you some additional advice.

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

Enjoy the site.

 

[gwstang]

Sometimes old Ford guys will fill the steering box with a grease and grease gun to prevent a leak. I have a '52 Ford 8N and picked up a fitting from ebay that screwed into the side of the steering box and has a grease nipple on it. Worked great for me and grease doesn't leak out like 90 wt oil does. Lots do a bush hog the same way too if the oil is leaking out of the gear box.