Figured I should finally make a thread about my tractor restoration project…..a little background first.
I have a 1951 8N that first belonged to my great grandfather, then my grandfather and then it became mine about ten years ago. This tractor looks like it has been to hell and back. Both great grandpa and grandpa were thrifty men. If it couldn’t be fixed with some grease and bailing wire, they did without. Unfortunately, I did not have a lot of extra funds when I first acquired it so I had to do the best I could. Changed the battery, hydraulic fluid, oil, put new plugs, points and wires on and use it occasionally to drive around with. Never really did much work with it other than some snow plowing. Also unfortunately, I did not have any place to store it indoors all these years until just recently. Tractor starts right up and drives around without complaint, albeit with a lot of blowby coming out the oil breather.
After moving to a home with a four-car garage, I have space to keep the tractor indoors, thankfully. I also finally have the income to support trying to put this tractor back to the way it should be. I am generally a strict originalist when it comes to any kind of restoration. I want things to look exactly like they did when they came off the factory floor. I know I will spend 4-5x what the tractor is worth as a whole to do this, but I am committed to doing it, because that’s the way I like it.
I may have let things go a bit longer, but the rear tires and rims really forced my hand to start the process. I had both an original hat rim on one side and an aftermarket loop rim on the other. Being filled with CaCl, the hat rim, unfortunately, was rotten too badly to save. Astonishingly, the tubes still held air just fine, but the tires were very badly weather cracked and dry rotten. So, that’s where it all started.
I commenced with trying to find tires that were somewhat correct for the tractor and ended up with a set of Firestone Road&Field tires for the rear and some Firestone repops for the front. My tractor originally came with 16” wheels, so my only option for a Firestone tire was the one commonly used on the Jubilees and later. With the tires and tubes acquired, I decided to hunt down a set of original hat rims that I could restore. Bought one set that ended up being not so nice condition. Then travelled about five hours on way to get a nicer set from a couple states away. Yes, I am that crazy. With some minor straightening, I had them stripped and powdercoated to resemble the original finish.
Since job creep is a real thing, I decided, well, I’ve got the rear wheels off, let’s rebuild the brakes, put new axle bearings and seals in. So, those parts are on order awaiting arrival. I figure at least then I can get the rear-end completely buttoned down so I don’t have to tear anything apart again before stripping and painting the chassis.
So, this is where I am right now. I love doing this kind of work. In fact, I wish I could find a way to monetize it full time in a way that would support my family..
Here is the tractor as it currently sits….
Since I can't seem to get the photos to link, see URL attached.