Which M should I keep?

Gentlemen, I recently purchased 2 M's and I would like to keep one for restoring/pulling and should probably sell the other to recoup some cost. I will be new to pulling so I wont get too deep into that here as there are a lot of classes/rules and I'm not sure what I'll do yet, just want you to know what my plans are. Let me describe the machines-

First is a 1947 gas. This M starts easy and runs pretty good, surging a bit under load. I have done some sickle mowing with it so the pto works. I will do a tune-up and rebuild the carb and gov. if needed. It has an engine driven hyd. pump for a 1 way remote cyl. The trans has been repaired where a bearing or something got between the case and bull gear. Looks ugly but doesn't leak. The tires and worn and weather checked. Sheet metal is good. Paid 800

Second is a 1942 dual fuel. This one has a stuck motor. I pulled the head today and found 2 rusty cylinders so I have them soaking in Kroil and hope to get them free'd up. It has a belly mounted hyd. pump and belt pulley too, but the pulley itself is missing. Sheet metal is also pretty good. The reason I bought this one is because it has all 4 new tires, worth the 1000 asking price I hope.

Both are fairly complete as far as drawbar, lights, shields, etc.

So, is either one more desirable than the other? I'm leaning towards keeping the 42' but am not sure about the distillate motor. I know it will run fine on gas but it is lower power than the gas motor, stock that is. But if Im going to pull Ill probably change the head, intake, and carb anyway so is the dual fuel motor the same on bottom and would be fine? The tranny in it has never been damaged, but I haven't heard it spin in any gear.

Please forgive me for the ignorant questions. These are my first Farmall's. I just finished a 55' JD 60 (sorry Red guys) and it turned out great. Just wondering if one might be better than the other for my plans. Any advice will be appreciated!

The newer one is a better place to start. The tires are desirable on the older one, but the engine (stuck) will be a drag. The sheet metal should be the same on either, so making one that is composed of the best tin would be a good idea. A thin sleeve kit will increase displacement, and it will have a much better head for your intentions. Putting a 450 cam shaft carb and a LPG intake manifold can wake them up rather well without getting into big bucks. High altitude fire crater, or high dome pistons will be the next step. I would build the best and sell the rest. Jim

I think what happened with the patch under the bull gear,housing is a ball bearing came out and had no where to go. There is very little room between the bull gear and the rear end housing. As far as tractor pulling ,have u considered turbo charging?

Just my opinion I would sell both. If you want nice tractor to pull and show get a Super M and make sure it has the 264 block.The 264 can be built to a 281 with a 450 fire crater kit with out much trouble. It will make a nice pulling tractor and still can be used around farm and going to shows.

Thanks for the responses!
Fastfarmall I checked out the turbo kits before I even bought the tractors. Years ago I did a mustang with a powerstroke turbo blowin thru the carb so that would be very cool! What class allows a power adder?
Janicholsen I like that idea too. I could just swap the tires and the best sheetmetal like you said to keep the best parts and sell the rest. What class would the engine combo work best for?

Keep both until one is finished. Use the best parts from both. I would pull the cover/belt pulley and look in the trans on both
and pull both pto's and look at the final drive gears with a bright light. Put the running motor on the best looking trans/final.
The stuck one may have a better flywheel and pressure plate or radiator. Perhaps the steering and bolster is worn and loose on one
over the other.

I've seen fantastic looking guts inside the worst looking fence row bomb and found ragged out innards underneath good looking
paint. Or the one that's been sitting may be a big ball of rust inside. You don't know until you look!

The aftermarket is overflowing with external fixitup goodies and chrome but short on good hard parts.

If not attached to them and not in a hurry. Keep the tires and maybe the nice sheet metal. Sell one and part the other, junk what parts don't sell. Then find a good M and you will have less total money spent. Unless in a area where a ready or near ready to use M brings more than average. If you find a good one that needs tires it should be low cost.

Beatty has a good point...but yeah, my opinion is rob the new tires off second unit and sell it. As far as either in regards to engine, it won't matter because your gonna change everything. Bottomends are same. Good luck

Chance

Why get a Super M when a 400 or 450 is a much better tractor that can usually be found cheaper and not needing the mods to make the horse power?

The Super M is easier to work on electrical ( no dash to dig into).Sheat metal comes off in two pieces not five like 400 & 450. The super M is shorter wheelbase no TA and weighs 5600 lbs. compaired to 400's 6300 lbs..The super m and 400 have the same 264 engine same power.