F20 'Frankenstein' Progress

Hey all! Well, went and got that second F20 this week. Got to work on opening it up to see what I had to work with yesterday. Magneto seems to have a good impulse, carb is rusty in the bottom half, a few stuck valves, and all four cylinders are stuck. I don't think the cylinders are too bad though - not nearly as bad as my M was (that tractor had rusty coral in the cylinders!). Here are a few photos and a link to the video.. I'm thinking I might be able to get away with honing the cylinders, draining the oil and removing the pan, and then driving the pistons out of the bottom - then finish honing. Maybe some rings, head work, carb and mag tune up and it may run!









1938 F20 Episode 2

Its going to make a great project - good luck.

I hope you are at the swap meet, in Le Sueur, today, buying extra stones for your hone.

nice to see interest in the old farmalls. the regulars and f-20s were my first love. I have 5 f-20 , 2 reg ,1 f-30 and have owned several others over the years

I'm with you I don't think those cylinders look that bad but they will eat up stones, maybe a die grinder with a twisted wire wheel first , but I think they will clean up pretty good.

I agree. I was thinking I would use my wire wheel on a drill first, then clean them up with my hones. Luckily, I bought a brand new one in the package from a yard sale about a month ago for $1. I'll use my beat up one first, then finish it with the new one.

I would have been, but I had to do docks and boat lifts at a cabin association to make more side $$ for my projects! I'd rather be swapping, though. The 17 docks and 34 lifts we do gets a guy pretty tired and sore!

I have an interest in nearly all tractors. If it is rust colored, it catches my eye. I was originally looking for a Regular, but due to parts availability I chose to go with an F20 (or 2), for now.

My goal is to have a tractor from each era (1920-1950). So far I have two from the 30's, and four from the 40's. Lol. Time to branch out!

As a first-time new H owner and a long-time tractor enthusiast I applaud your F project. I'd like to get an F myself some day. I've always liked the ones painted that dark grey color for some reason. I'd also like to get my son (age 6) a Cub for when he's ready to drive in a few years.

Thank goodness tractors are much cheaper to acquire than classic cars. Never thought my wife would go for the H, but she thought it was a good value and is now asking when I'm going to get that bush hog and the cultivator!!!

Thank you sir! It is definitely a sickness that is lifelong! I am learning as I go on this one. They are a little different from working on a Farmall M, H, Case SC, or John Deere A.. I like to have a vast amount of knowledge though, that way I can be a bigger help to more people. I have been reading and learning about tractor since I was probably 5 or 6, and have been wrenching since the age of 10. I'm no expert, and I am always learning new tricks (thanks to the guys on these forums).

I enjoy the dark grey Farmall paint as well. Even though they stopped using it in late 1936, I think if I ever do paint one of these F20's, one will be grey and one will be red. For now, I like them original as they are only original once. I'm saving full restorations for when I have children as it will give me something to teach them and get their minds working constructively other than sitting in front of an iPad or computer all day. That is one of my biggest pet peeves with technology, it seems to be removing humanity's creative sense.

I would love to do a classic car one day (my dream car is the 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500), but with a $100,000 price tag, I'll be able to buy a LOT of tractors for that kind of money! It amazes me that my fiancee puts up with my greaseball antics. Shoot, she even said YES when I proposed to her in the parade of power at our tractor show!