Help with buying a restored Ford 800

TDN72

New User
Going to look at a restored 800 tomorrow. Seller says it was a show tractor that his grandfather restored. Only 4 hours on the meter since restored but it hasn't ran for a couple of years. Seller didn't seem to have much knowledge or info about the tractor, couldn't even tell me what model 800. Best case I'm figuring I will have to change fluids, clean lines, tank and carb. Anything else I should look at that would be a red flag. Pictures look great but I need a functional tractor, not one that just looks good. Kinda taking a gamble since I can't run the tractor before buying.
 
the term "restored" is open to interpretation so many ways. has not run for a couple of years ? be wery, wery careful.
 

A tractor is not mechanically restored without receipts. You have to view it as a used tractor that appears to be in good condition. When going to look at it advise the seller that you want to find it cold so that you can see how it starts. Bring a compression tester, so that you can evaluate engineinternal condition. Check oil pressure cold and hot. Put a load on the three point and see how well the 800 holds it up. Check tires for weather checking. Tires are very expensive.
 
I agree, Steve.

Most folks consider a pressure wash spray paint job (belts, hoses, wiring, etc., restored.

I would much rather look at one that has not been recently repainted.

Dean
 
My understanding is that its not running, old gas, no battery... so I can't check operation. To everyone's point my concern is what's under the pretty exterior. Sounds like the grandpa is no longer around and the relatives are selling off his stuff. If the answers don't ad up when I get there I can always walk away. The price is low enough that I could get my money back if I had to part it out but I really don't want to go through that hassle.

There are pictures of this tractor at shows, I'm not familiar with how the shows work. Would some require demonstration that everything works or is it like a car cruise in where it just gets parked and looked at. Though maybe that could shed some light on the mechanics?
Thanks for the reply's.
 
Unless you're good with wrenches, be
ready to spend money on it. Very
seldom will a unit that has not run
recently do so with a hot battery and
fresh gas. Buy with the thought in
mind of having to spend money on it
to get it going. If it is a simple,
easy fix, you found a bargain. If it
takes some work, maybe you will not
be "upside down " in it
 
Of course, I cannot speak to the tractor in question, but I do not like to look at a newly repainted ("restored") tractor.

By way of comparison, below is a link to my 860 ad.

I restored (yes, restored, both mechanically and cosmetically (not being a painter, I farmed out the paint work)) this tractor about 15 years ago before using it as my primary mowing tractor for about 10 years.

When my barn turned orange and I decided to sell my Fords, I intentionally did not pressure wash (let alone paint) any of my Fords because I wanted potential buyers to see them in their work clothes. Yes, I well know that most buyers will pay for a pressure wash paint job but will not pay for mechanical work that is not visible.

As stated by an earlier poster, a non running antique tractor is a parts tractor. Unless you can VERIFY condition, "restoration," etc., it is potentially no more valuable than what it can be parted for after subtracting the value of your time.

Note: The link to my 860, which is for sale, here in the Ford Forum, is exempletory only, because I assume that the OP is well distant from me.

Dean
My Ford 860
 
"Anything else I should look at that would be a red flag."

I assume you already know to check the obvious, like looking for
water in the engine oil and other fluids, antifreeze in the radiator, etc.

The shows around here do not require any kind of inspection.
In fact, they don't even have to run. Some guys haul them in
on a trailer and leave them set on the trailer the whole time.

That doesn't necessarily say anything about the mechanics though.
One of the guys I know that does that, does so with his JD MC
crawler and that particular local show doesn't allow tracks or steel
wheels on the ground. He drives it on the trailer and brings it anyways.

What transmission does it have in it? I like the 5 speed with
the dual clutch and live PTO in my 960. It could have a 5 speed
with a single clutch which is cheaper to replace but lacks the
live PTO option. Likewise, a 4 speed would not have live PTO.
 
(quoted from post at 10:17:34 08/09/18) Of course, I cannot speak to the tractor in question, but I do not like to look at a newly repainted ("restored") tractor.

By way of comparison, below is a link to my 860 ad.

I restored (yes, restored, both mechanically and cosmetically (not being a painter, I farmed out the paint work)) this tractor about 15 years ago before using it as my primary mowing tractor for about 10 years.

When my barn turned orange and I decided to sell my Fords, I intentionally did not pressure wash (let alone paint) any of my Fords because I wanted potential buyers to see them in their work clothes. Yes, I well know that most buyers will pay for a pressure wash paint job but will not pay for mechanical work that is not visible.

As stated by an earlier poster, a non running antique tractor is a parts tractor. Unless you can VERIFY condition, "restoration," etc., it is potentially no more valuable than what it can be parted for after subtracting the value of your time.

Note: The link to my 860, which is for sale, here in the Ford Forum, is exempletory only, because I assume that the OP is well distant from me.

Dean
My Ford 860

Dean, you are on some hilly ground there! You must not have any NFE tractors or you would not be still alive! :wink:
 

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