What's an 8N worth

[Turbofiat]

I got a chance to buy a Ford 8N tractor that has been sitting in a barn for quite some time. The lady's husband died in 1982 so I have no idea if it's been started since then or not.

Based on what I know the engine was completely overhauled in 1978.

Unfortunatly the gas tank is still full of gas so I know it and the carb are gummed up. I did get lucky once on a mini bike a friend gave me by cleaning the tank with muratic acid and cleaning the carb.

Unless I get lucky by dismantling and cleaning the carburater, it may need a new carburator. I tried rebuilding the Zenith on my dad's '58 800 series but he ended up having to buy a new carb.

Gas tank needs to be cleaned out.

New Points/condensor. Got lucky on dad's 800 by sanding them after it sat for 18 months.

New 6 volt battery.

One of the front tires is flat and will probably need replacing. Dad said the rears on his 800 cost $400 a piece from the CO-OP. The tires on this 8N appear to be still full of air. If that's the case then do they really need replacing? I mean this isn't a car that can suffer a blowout at 65 mph.

So the question is providing this is all the tractor needs to make it running, how much would I have in parts if I did all this work myself, how much would the tractor be worth as is and how much would it be worth once it's in working condition?

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

What year? Are you sure its not a 2N or 9N? Prices vary widely restored, and of course the restoration levels do too. You might find a good "clean" 8N with a fresh paint for $1800 or a fully redone one for 5k.

BTW I have seen reproduction Marvel Scheblers on EBAY just like the originals. But as far as updraft carbs go, they are very rebuildable. You'd have to be an elephant with a hammer to tear one up.

If you look hard, I am fairly certain you can find some tires a good bit under the 400 mark.

 

[beenthere]

:welcome:

You say you have a chance to buy it. Are you making a counter offer. Has there been a price set on it, or just waiting for an offer from you?

 

[Turbofiat]

:welcome:

You say you have a chance to buy it. Are you making a counter offer. Has there been a price set on it, or just waiting for an offer from you?

Well it's a long story but the lady is selling her estate. She lives in a retirement home my wife works at. The estate has actually already been sold but not nessessarily the contents.

I didn't want to take advantage of her. I just wanted to know if this tractor was worth fooling with. If I'd have more in the tractor than it's worth.

 

[flusher]

I got a chance to buy a Ford 8N tractor that has been sitting in a barn for quite some time. The lady's husband died in 1982 so I have no idea if it's been started since then or not.

Based on what I know the engine was completely overhauled in 1978.

Unfortunatly the gas tank is still full of gas so I know it and the carb are gummed up. I did get lucky once on a mini bike a friend gave me by cleaning the tank with muratic acid and cleaning the carb.

Unless I get lucky by dismantling and cleaning the carburater, it may need a new carburator. I tried rebuilding the Zenith on my dad's '58 800 series but he ended up having to buy a new carb.

Gas tank needs to be cleaned out.

New Points/condensor. Got lucky on dad's 800 by sanding them after it sat for 18 months.

New 6 volt battery.

One of the front tires is flat and will probably need replacing. Dad said the rears on his 800 cost $400 a piece from the CO-OP. The tires on this 8N appear to be still full of air. If that's the case then do they really need replacing? I mean this isn't a car that can suffer a blowout at 65 mph.

So the question is providing this is all the tractor needs to make it running, how much would I have in parts if I did all this work myself, how much would the tractor be worth as is and how much would it be worth once it's in working condition?

If it's not running, I'd wouldn't pay more than $700-800. Figure you'll be putting a hunk of change into it to get it running and then, after you do a test drive, you may find that it needs clutch, tranny, rear end, and/or hydraulics repairs--more $$$$. Regardless of what the seller says, that tractor may be a gem or a nightmare.

The only way I personally justify paying more for a non-running tractor is if it's one that I want to add to my collection of antique tractors. Last year I bought a non-running 1951 Minneapolis Moline BF tractor (roughly the same size and vintage as that Ford you're eyeballing) for $1300 since it's a collectable (only about 4500 made). I've already put $1600 more into it for a complete engine rebuild. I'll probably have near $5K in it by the time I'm done restoring it.

Good luck on your purchase.

 

[whodat526]

they are a cheap tractor to fix and easy also since it is not running i would say it to be worth 250-1000 depending on the seat metal and if the block is cracked buy the drain cock if the tires still hold air they will last a while

 

[beenthere]

Well it's a long story but the lady is selling her estate. She lives in a retirement home my wife works at. The estate has actually already been sold but not nessessarily the contents.

I didn't want to take advantage of her. I just wanted to know if this tractor was worth fooling with. If I'd have more in the tractor than it's worth.

Could easily have more into it than it is worth, but I wouldn't bet on it. Might be the owners should pay you to take it off their hands.

I would be careful about making deals if there are kids involved in the estate contents, or learn more about who presently owns the contents. The tractor might be stored now on someone else's property, and hard to remove or prove ownership. Also, a caregiver making personal property deals at a nursing home might draw some ire from the heirs. Just can be construed as a conflict of interest.

A token offer shouldn't insult the owners and shouldn't get you too far invested that recovery isn't possible. But seems a lot more checking on your part to learn the condition of the tractor (siezed engine ?, etc.) is in order...we can't do it from here.

 

[sweettractors]

I think a fair price would be $500. She or you neither know what you are getting in to. At that price, you can always come out at salvage. You want to put yourself in a NO LOSE situation. If it runs, your good and if it does not, you still wont lose. Ken Sweet

 

[wolc123]

A lot depends on the year. A 51 or 52 (has side distributer and proofmeter) are worth significantly more than an older model in the same condition. 9N's/2N's (pre 1948) are worth significantly less than 8n's because they have inadequate gears (3 spd vs 4), no position control on hydraulics, and a poor brake setup (pedals on opposite sides). Even if it does not run, but turns over and has good compression on all cylinders, and uncracked block, A 51 or 52 with good tires, low hours and in otherwise decent condition is worth $1500 minimum. The hydraulics on these tractors are about as durable as they come, and parts availability is better than any other tractor model by any manufacturer that was ever made. To give you an idea how year of manufacture affects value, a 1939-1947 9n/2n in similar condition would have a minimum value of around $500 and an older 8N, around $1000. Very few tractors of this era have values that aproach that of the Ford N's for two reasons: 3 point hitch and parts availability.

 

[Soundguy]

non runner? 500$ on it is what I'd offer if it ain't stuck.

sure.. likely a 100$ repop carb, and 100$ in maint items will likly make her run.. but then again.. you might have 700$ invested in something you have to part out too.

with the details I've heard.. setting since 80's.. 500$ is a fair offer.

remember to soak the cyls with atf fluid before rolling her over..

soundguy