How Hard is it to find parts for 1928 Fordson?

Hello. I'm new here but very interested in old tractors.
In particuclar, I'm looking at an old 1927-or 1928 Fordson that is in dire need of a restoration. Of course I'd be doing it, as I work on old cars as a hobby, etc. However the wheels are frozen up, along with the engine. The price looks to be about $500,.. maybe less if I can get the price to move.
I'm just not that familiar with a good price for an old Fordson in that condition would be??

Thank for the help!!!
J.

Might i suggest taking a tractor mechanic out to look at the tractor?! That machine may be too rusted to be restored, and you could put tons of cash into it, and then not have it operable!
There is only so much a person can do without professional help. and with the wheels and the engine "frozen", as in "stuck", you can expect to spend lots of money on it, because of the things that you cannot see, as inside the engine.
Heck, that engine oil pan might be full of water, as well as the cylinders, and that in itself would be EXPENSIVE, even if it could be fixed and made to run! And, used parts, most of the ones i have seen, need lots of work to make them usable again!
Just my opinion, by: Rusty Jones

Thank you for the advice. Its much appreciated.

As for the tractor,.. I work on old Model A's as a hobby/love and am rebuilding a 1937 harley Davidson right now also. So, as far as old motors being completely beat,.. water in oil, etc. I'm pretty well versed in what to look for in regards to the general appearance, etc.
However, still wondering how hard it would be to get, say the front wheels, etc. for it. is the stuff out there?

Thanks

for the engine you have to take it apart to find how bad it is the wheels wont turn because the rear drive is a worm drive (or called a screw droveit hard to move with out the engine turning ) old art

for the engine you have to take it apart to find how bad it is the wheels wont turn because the rear drive is a worm drive (or called a screw droveit hard to move with out the engine turning ) old art

(quoted from post at 04:10:28 10/14/09) for the engine you have to take it apart to find how bad it is the wheels wont turn because the rear drive is a worm drive (or called a screw droveit hard to move with out the engine turning ) old art

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well...that explains the rear wheels only, quote "moving a little bit". but for the front wheels on it..i am told that they are in very poor condition..rotting or rotted and was told they're ready to collapse. so... this is why im so concerned about exactly if these front wheels can be found in good runnable condition somewhere?

also...the tank is rotted out... just a side note.

again thanks for the info and help... its greatly appreciated.

Hi. Parts are available but like someone else said condition varies. I agree that it IS possible to rescue any of these old machines but time and cost------well thats always personal. I would only offer one piece of advise DONT TOW IT because that is a very good way to rip the teeth off the worm drive. I wish you the very best of luck. If it was me I would just go for it, theres always tons of advice on this forum. MTF

Do a search for Donald Clough Fordson. He has restored many and sells parts, he even did one for Arnold Palmer. He is very knowledgable and will not steer you wrong.

Mark

Lots of people welded new rubber-tired rims to the old spokes. This allows you to drive it in parades. You could also buy after-market rims by French and Hecht. They are fairly expensive. The tires are 10 x 24 and 5.50 x 16. The old heretage farmsites are fast disappearing, but sometimes there are still old Fordson parts sold at auction. They made 800,000 of them. The great preponderance were scrapped for the WWII effort.

You might try, rosewoodmachine.com, they make alot of reproduction parts for Fordsons

The Fordson House in Escanaba, MI has the worlds largest stock of new, new old stock, reproduction, and used parts in the world. www.thefordsonhouse.com.

Were are you located? I've got a herd of parts tractors and a barn full of Fordson parts. Also have a few sets of nice wheels. I've got them here from restored to junk.
As far a price, if it's fairly complete and looks like it can be saved I might go that high. The problem is that they are worth more in parts than they are in one piece. I've got a dozen or so useable gas tanks that are bringing 2-300.
If I were you I'd find one that is complete and running or at least with the engine turning and use yours for parts, Butch

Hi J,
You should be able to find wheels for your tractor. They even pop up on eBay from time to time. But might I make a suggestion, if the rims are badly rotted you could just cut them off and weld on some rubber tyre rims instead. You might have to make up a jig to get it right but at least your tractor would be movable while you work on it. Lots of tractors have had that done to them in the past so it would not look out of place and you would need a set of rubber tyres for parades etc. anyway. The fuel tank being rotted out is a bigger problem, mind you I have resorted to welding a patch one foot wide that ran the entire length of the tank and sealed the tank with POR 15 afterwards. The price seems a bit steep to me, but that depends on where you are in the world. If you just want the tractor as a project and you can afford the price go for it. I am sure you have seen water in all the wrong places in engines on Model A"s before too. If you want to make money out of the restoration, run away very fast and do not look back, but if you enjoy the restoration part like I do, they are a ton of fun and do you get looks from the neighbors when you drive them out of the yard.

Regards, Frank.