1st tractor, '55(?) Ford

mountaineer2

New User
I wasn't really in the market for a tractor, but a owner of a piece of property near me called the other day and asked if I was interested in his old ford. It runs and seemed like a good price so I grabbed it. He said it's a 1955 Jubilee but I'm not sure if it's considered a Jubilee after looking up the serial number. The emblem on the grill says 800 and serial number after the diamond is 141014 with 850 above it, which I assume is the model number. It has a 5-speed gas engine and 12volt system.

It's was recently painted ford blue, which I'm not sure if that's original or not. He couldn't remove the steering wheel to paint the 'dash' and it's a really faded blue also. It's fun to drive and needs a couple repairs here and there, but I'm glad I bought it.
 
The Jubilee was in 1953. You are the lucky owner of a tractor twice as good as the NAA as far as Im
concerned. You have one of the fine 800 series .
 

Good to know, thanks. What had me confused are some of the part numbers I've seen. For example, I could see the gas tank number started with NAA when I looked inside the tank. Are the parts somewhat interchangeable in the early and mid '50s Fords? I will need to find a replacement for the center hood section and gas cap, among other things.

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What's a 5 speed gas engine? I've never heard of one of those before. :lol: Sorry couldn't resist. Welcome to the forum, upside down tractor and all. :roll:
 
Dennis Carpenter sells just the center hood panel. If getting a used one make sure you get a panel for the x00 series and not he x01. Hinge spacing is different due to gas tank size. Good luck and enjoy your new machine.
 
The serial number ID's your tractor as a 1957. Checkout John Smith's Old Ford Tractor site for some good info. See link below. Your tractor appears to be in pretty good shape, I know you will enjoy it. Just be careful you don't get hooked.lol
Old Ford Tractors
 
Thanks for all the information! sorry for the photos. They are correct when I look at them on my phone, which is how I uploaded. Glad to know I've got a good old one. I've only ever used newer Deere's and New Hollands 70hp and larger.

I do have a gas leak out of the bottom of the tank/fuel line connection that will need to be fixed at some point soon.
 
Hi Mountaineer. I have a hood for an x00 series that was listed incorrectly when I bought it as a replacement for my x01 tractor. In excellent shape. Just a little surface rust. You can see where I wire brushed it to make sure. No cracks, dents or welds anywhere. You can have it for what I paid for it. $40. + whatever it costs to ship it to you depending where you are. Probably another $20 or $25. Here's a picture of it. My email is open if your interested. Or anyone else if you don't want it. It's 29.25" hinge to hinge.
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If you don't have a Ford shop manual and a parts manual I would highly recommend getting one. They will be of great service to you. Regarding the gas tank, you probably have the screw type shut off valve. It has an o-ring that wears out. The aftermarket valves have a rep for not lasting. Your original can be easily repaired. There are several threads on this site that tell you how. I repaired mine and it's still not leaking. It's just a matter of removing a rivet, drill and tapping the hole and a new Viton o-ring. Hope this helps. My tractor is a 57 850 too and I like it.
 
(quoted from post at 18:17:26 02/06/17) Hi Mountaineer. I have a hood for an x00 series that was listed incorrectly when I bought it as a replacement for my x01 tractor. In excellent shape. Just a little surface rust. You can see where I wire brushed it to make sure. No cracks, dents or welds anywhere. You can have it for what I paid for it. $40. + whatever it costs to ship it to you depending where you are. Probably another $20 or $25. Here's a picture of it. My email is open if your interested. Or anyone else if you don't want it. It's 29.25" hinge to hinge.
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Thanks for the offer, that might work. I'll have to measure hinge to hinge next time I'm out where I keep the tractor, about 1hr away. 41"x10" is the size of the hood opening. Im located north of Dallas, TX.
 
(quoted from post at 19:34:43 02/06/17) If you don't have a Ford shop manual and a parts manual I would highly recommend getting one. They will be of great service to you. Regarding the gas tank, you probably have the screw type shut off valve. It has an o-ring that wears out. The aftermarket valves have a rep for not lasting. Your original can be easily repaired. There are several threads on this site that tell you how. I repaired mine and it's still not leaking. It's just a matter of removing a rivet, drill and tapping the hole and a new Viton o-ring. Hope this helps. My tractor is a 57 850 too and I like it.

Great info! I'm ordering the manual online and will utilize the search feature to find how to fix this. Attached is the upside down photo of the leak. The valve looks aftermarket to me.
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(quoted from post at 20:42:13 02/06/17)
(quoted from post at 19:34:43 02/06/17) If you don't have a Ford shop manual and a parts manual I would highly recommend getting one. They will be of great service to you. Regarding the gas tank, you probably have the screw type shut off valve. It has an o-ring that wears out. The aftermarket valves have a rep for not lasting. Your original can be easily repaired. There are several threads on this site that tell you how. I repaired mine and it's still not leaking. It's just a matter of removing a rivet, drill and tapping the hole and a new Viton o-ring. Hope this helps. My tractor is a 57 850 too and I like it.

Great info! I'm ordering the manual online and will utilize the search feature to find how to fix this. Attached is the upside down photo of the leak. The valve looks aftermarket to me.
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The "o" ring within the valve is probably shot but the valve is easily rebuilt.I'd say that the "O" ring between the tank and valve needs to be replaced as well.
 
Hi Mountaineer;

Your valve is the original screw type. Later models came out with a lever type. What has been changed is the fuel line. There was no filter for the fuel line. The line was all metal with a rubber line fixed to it which connected to the shut off valve. You can still buy the original fuel line or make your own. Removing the shut off valve with the sheet metal and tank on can be a little challenging, but it can be done. Hope you don't have big hands.lol

If you do a search you'll find many threads regarding the fuel line and re-routing it. Originally it crossed the valve cover then dropped down between the head and exhaust manifold to the carb. The fuel shut off valve has been a source of irritation so that some have placed a shut off valve just before the carb inlet. Many have run the fuel line down the front of the engine to the carb used brake line tubing. It appears this they way yours is routed.

Another issue to be aware of is that if the shut off valve is not shut off after use gravity will continue to push fuel to the carb. If the float valve does not seat completely it will allow fuel to run into the carb. I have read that it can fill up and into a cylinder, naturally potentially causing some problems upon starting. Many times the fuel will run out air intake of the carb. I've even read of it backing up into the air filter. Have fun with you tractor. It's a great little tractor and a whole lot of fun to work on.
 

Now it makes sense. That is exactly what happened I didn't realize I needed to shut the valve off when I parked it and couldn't get it started the other day. I finally removed the intake hose from the carb and gas just poured out. Let it sit a minute and started right up with a shot of starting fluid. Turned the valve off when I parked it after that.
 

Tom Bond I measured the hinges and it looks like that center panel will work on my 800. Your email showed unavailable and wouldn't let me send a private message. Please email me: jsafstrom at g mail dot com
 

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