Upgrade or Fix

mr_flintstone · Sep 25, 2014

I currently have a '58 Ford 4 cyl gas 641. It has a 3 year old rebuild on the engine with low hours, but no live PTO, a leaky steering box, rusted rear wheels with worn out tires, and rough paint.

A guy I know just a few miles away has a '65 Ford 4 cyl gas 2000 with really rough paint and sheet metal, a 5 speed trans, live PTO, good steering box, and good rims with 75% tires, but the engine is shot. He wants $2000.

On the other hand, a dealership about 20 miles away has a '69 3-cyl diesel 2000 with 8-speed and live pto for $4500 with good paint and mechanicals, but the proofmeter is broken at 5505 hours.

Now, here's my dilemma. Should I buy the 65 2000 and combine it and my 641 into one good tractor, throw on a paint job, and then re-sell the other. Or should I trade my 641 in on the 69 model diesel. I probably won't get much on a trade though.

hdheritage · Sep 25, 2014

two thousand seems like alot for blown engine tractor!Maybe 500-750. Get the 69. Cry once and enjoy. Even though I love my '64 2000 leaps and bounds over my 8N w/FEL,each has there place. jb

mr_flintstone · Sep 25, 2014

I'm just a little worried about the hours. How many hours should a 2000 diesel be good for if it was properly maintained?

Fordfarmer · Sep 25, 2014

I agree with the other poster - $2000 is too much. Go with the 3-
cylinder diesel. Those 3-cylinder engines are good... with proper
maintenance, they'll do 9-10,000 hours. Or more.

souNdguy · Sep 25, 2014

2000$ way too much for the unit with bad engine.

maybee 1000$ MAX.. I'd only pay 500-800 myself as long as it had good tires and tins.

Ultradog MN · Sep 25, 2014

If the 3 cyl diesel has power steering and differential lock then I would go that route.
If it doesn't then I would keep what you have.
I wouldn't pay $2000 for a tractor with a blown engine. Though with good tires and the 5 speed I might pay $1200 if I was wanting them for myself.
Sell off your 4 sp and misc parts and you wouldn't come out too bad.
All things considered though
I would rather have power steering than live PTO.

Robert Major · Sep 25, 2014

Hi I bet there is more out there poorly maintained, got porous blocks and on the second rebuild at 5000 hours if the clocks right, or needing the rebuild now.
it's like most makes of tractor I see around, in shops or sales. there is the odd high hour immaculate one but for every one of those there are a 500 or more junkers out there.
not saying you can't get lucky just unusual if it happens often or for cheap money.
Regards Robert

mr_flintstone · Sep 26, 2014

I think I've decided to go with an upgrade to another tractor. I went by the dealer yesterday after baling hay, but they were already closed. I looked over the tractor, and it looks good, but I couldn't start it. This might be blasphemy on this site, but they also had a Mahindra 3505 with 1500 hours for $5000.

I've always liked and used Fords, but that model Mahindra is going to be at most 14 years old with a lot less hours and power steering (compared to a 45 year old Ford with manual steering). What do you guys think?

Upgrade or Fix

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hdheritage

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mr_flintstone

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Fordfarmer

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Ultradog MN

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Robert Major

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mr_flintstone

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