Tractor Rebuild: 1st Step - ID

[cjcocn]

Hi

My neighbor gave me an old tractor that hasn't run in years and was parked in the brush (recently uncovered during some brush clearing).

I would like to rebuild it as a project, but first I have to ID it! I am going to pull it home this week (maybe my "first" should have been getting it home) after pumping up a rear tire that is flat.

Once I get it home and can look for markings, etc to help me ID it, I would like to be more prepared.

Are there any areas that I should look at for ID marks? I realize that they will likely be different between manufacturers, but if anyone could offer a, "Don't forget to check behind the starter" or "Some have markings under the seat" (okay, that one isn't likely, but you get my drift, yes?).

Also, if I was to post pics, would that help?

Thanks for any advice that you can provide.

Chris

 

[ToadHill]

Is this for real or you trying to get us tractor nuts all worked up with anticipation? Please don't just post this and leave us all hanging waiting for the pictures to be posted we won't be able to sleep at night.

 

[cjcocn]

I'll tell you what, I see the sun rise and set each day from my office, but tomorrow at lunch I will drive out to the field that it is in and snap a few pics while it is light enough to do so. That will at least let you know that the tractor is for real.

I am willing to wait for the verdict on me as long as you fellas are willing to throw me a few pointers now and again while I am working on getting this beauty doing what she was made to do.

As for the tractor nut part .... save me a seat on that wagon - I am already looking out for more and just bought a 14' dual axle that I have to rebuild so that I can bring them home.

I will post pics tomorrow and will have a quick look for ID marks while I am out there.

Thanks

Chris

 

[WayneB]

Hey Chris, when you get time go ahead and fill out your profile too so we will know a little about you and where you are from.

 

[EddieWalker]

When you take pics, be sure to get some closeups.

The grill
Both sides of the hood
The front axle viewed from the front
Pictures of the engine from both sides
The rear end so that it shows the axle and any linkage that may exist
The dash

That might sound like allot of pics, but you'll be suprised at what one person will focus on and notice that nobody else sees. If this happens on half your pics, you'll have more info then you'll be able to handle!!!

Congratulations,
Eddie

 

[Robert_in_NY]

With the information you have provided so far the only way anyone can help you is when you post a picture of post some part numbers. There are a lot of us guys that have plenty of information to help id your tractor once we get some new information. Each tractor has serial numbers in different places so it is hard to say look here or here. Do you have an idea what color the tractor and wheels are?

 

[cjcocn]

Okay fellas

I just got back from taking pics. There is snow on the tractor and it is dark out, but I figured that I'd go out and take a few anyway. When I go back tomorrow I will take pics from the suggested angles (after brushing the snow off) and will also have a look for any numbers, words, etc. that may help in identification.

I will upload the pics to my web space and will post a link to them when I am done. I am on dial-up here so it will not be for a while.

My profile will be updated this evening as well. For now - I am 41, stuck in an office, semi-handy at fixing/building things, love to haul wood, plow snow, and am going to use this tractor to volunteer some time building a community garden. My personal use for this tractor will include working up our own garden, hauling logs out of the bush, and having something (else) to work on.

Thanks

Chris

 

[cjcocn]

Alrighty ..... the pics can be viewed here: Index of /~cjcocn/

They are about 330KB each so I figured I'd save an hour of trying to upload them on my mighty dial-up and just post the general link where they can be found (they are in the Tractor folder).

If you take a look inside the Pics folder you can see how I spent my summer last year (2006). I am not an operator by any means (re: the D6 pics), but had to teach myself how to use it because I couldn't find an operator.

I will take more (and better) pics tomorrow and post those up as well.

Thanks

Chris

 

[Robert_in_NY]

It appears to be a Case model S

You can find more pictures and lots of antique tractor help at Antique Tractors - Yesterday's Tractors : Antique Tractor Headquarters

And you can learn more about the tractors information here TractorData.com - J.I. Case S tractor data

 

[cjcocn]

Robert

Thanks, it sure looks like the one!

Can anyone tell me where the serial or other identifying numbers would be located?

Thanks

 

[Robert_in_NY]

The serial number is stamped on a name plate fastened to the instrument panel for most Case tractors. It can also be on toolbox.

 

[john_bud]

That's a nice looking little machine (and a fine example shown by Robert in NY!)

Chris,
If you do get it (and why not?) it may cost a bit to turn into a worker and a LOT to turn into new looking machine. Trust me, I KNOW.

You should expect the engine to be rusted up, needing new sleeves, pistons, rings, crank ground, rods refurbed, new clutch, Pplate, TO bearing, flywheel surfaced, possibly transmission rebuilt with new gears/shafts (who knows why it was parked?), etc etc etc.

a mix of 50/50 ATF and diesel into each cylinder for a couple days may help get the engine free.

jb

 

[cjcocn]

Good afternoon

More pics are up at Index of /~cjcocn/ that should be a bit clearer. I took these during my lunch break so that's as bright as I can get them until the sky clears up.

I found the tag (Thanks Robert!) and according to the serial number this particular tractor was produced in 1950.

(Especially) after reading john_bud's post, I was wondering if I should get this tractor home and start pulling some covers off so that I can look at some internals before I go out and buy 3 or 4 books. I would be buying shop/repair manuals specific to the Case Model S.

Thinking that this may be so rusted up inside that it isn't worth fixing, should I wait until I can look more closely at it before buying books that are specific to the Case Model S?

Can anyone recommend some general books that I can start reading on restoring old tractors. I know that I am going to restore at least one tractor (and hopefully it will be this one) so I may as well buy some general books to get me started.

.... in the meantime I will peruse other threads to see what steps others have taken and gain some insight from there.

Thanks

 

[Renze]

If nobody drained the oil, the oil vapors in the gearcase and engine normally keep the steel from rusting badly.
As said by someone else, ATF does a great job to free stuck pistons and rings.
Just drain the crankcase to clean the ATF because running an engine on ATF kills the bearings because it doesnt lubricate at all..

I'm restoring a 1967 Zetor 3011, and surprisingly all parts needed to keep this baby running, are still available. I am replacing 2 gears and all tranny bearings, to make it like new. The differential parts of this particular model were used in MFWD front axles untill the late '80s.

I dont think Case still supplies parts for your model, as the build series changed quite a bit over the years, and often they started from scratch, or threw everything away in favour of the IHC or David Brown gear they bought....

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I would pull the tractor inside where you want to work on it and look it over. Pull some covers to inspect the tractor and see if it is good. There are a lot of places that part out old tractors and the YT site would be a good place to ask for Case S specific parts and help.

I will say this, I like the looks of the old Case tractors. They had a lot of metal in them and they are fairly straight forward. Looking at your tractor makes me want one now But luckily I don't have any money to worry about buying one

 

[WayneB]

You might want to start looking at this website:

Case Tractors - Resource Page for Antique Case Tractors

 

[ToadHill]

You've renewed my faith in tractor nuts. As Robert has indicated it's a Case S. Most tractors can be rebuilt, They have very little sheet metal and unless inlet holes were left open to the outside elements the inside parts should not be rusted badly.

I used to use a soak of half Kero and half marvel mystery oil to loosen stuck engines. Left to sit for a few weeds I only had one that needed to have the head removed and a wooden mallet taken to the pistons.

 

[rpoage]

It appears to be a Case model S

Now that is just down right scary. To go from pictures taken at night of a snow and underbrush covered tractor to an idenification is amazing. Looks like your right but it still scary.

Hope your healing well.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I wasn't sure on the exact model but the older Case tractors used a lot of steel and had a very distinctive stocky appearance so it was easy to narrow the choices down. I then went to YT's site and knew it wasn't a VAC or SC from experience so it was easy to find the right model. You just have to know the sites and how to navigate them and with a little knowledge of old tractors it is actually quite easy. My grandfather had a Case SC for a short time and it was a great looking tractor.

I am healing rather well, thank you for asking. I have been happy with my progress but can not stand for very long as my back starts hurting. I was visiting a friend at his shop today and ended up talking for well over an hour. I am still paying the price for standing so long but he is a lot of fun to talk to

 

[cjcocn]

WayneB

Thanks! I cut and pasted a ton of info from there into notepad and will be reading through it.

ToadHill

LOL .... sometimes I wonder if I am just plain nuts. I could probably find a running tractor for fairly cheap, but there is something about starting out with an older one that isn't running that appeals to me. I will do this not only for the fun that I will have learning and doing the work, but also because I like the older ones for their simplicity, ruggedness, and I guess at the end of the day I'd rather have one that was made of good solid iron.

rpoage

I was thinking the same thing last night when I was getting out of the truck after I returned from taking the initial pics. I was thinking how I was going to post them up even though the tractor was snow covered and it was dark, but I fully expected at least one of the forum members here to be able to ID the tractor.

If I had to ID it I would start (and end) by saying, "Well, it's red." LOL However, I know that for someone who knows tractors, there are a ton of little hints (light placement, levers, etc.) that make ID'ing something not only possible, but probable even under those conditions. Still very, very impressive though!

Robert

I was unaware that you were injured, but wish you a speedy recovery. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge by ID'ing that Case for me. It feels good to know which direction to head in.

Thanks fellas!