Fair Price for a basket case

Hey Guys,
A good friend has a '48 8N Basket case that I can get. The front of the tractor is apart including the engine. He said he had the crank checked amd polished years ago, everything is bagged and has been in a shed since. He says he doesn't know what it's worth and for that matter neither do I. I'm just wondering what to offer for it.

Thanks Again
 
If I knew the guy and thus trusted that
it was fine other than needing assembly
and all parts there 700 to 1200 would be
fair if tractor is otherwise in good
shape. If just for sale on craigslist
etc not certain of other issues, i.e.
lift not working, transmission problem
who knows since you can't check those
without it running I wouldn't pay over
500 bucks.
 

Other factors:

Are you sure the block is not cracked. Many vehicles were taken apart and not put back together because of an unexpected and expensive find. Such as a cracked block.

What does the sheet metal look like. Indicates how it was stored and how much you need to put into it.

The condition of the rear rims and tires is another big factor. If they need replaced, it is expensive.

Sign unseen I am at $500. Maybe up to $1000 or 1200 depending on the other factors.
 
Location and condition dictates price in my experience.
I bought a running 8N with a side mount distributor and brand
new rear tires and rims, paper stickers still on them, for $1000.
The clutch was stuck to the flywheel so you couldn't put it in gear.
Apparently no one wanted to split it.

I bought a "basket case" for $200 at auction that was still assembled.
Turned out to be more of a fence row tractor. Ran fine with a
little TLC. It did smoke a little bit but not enough to park it.

Your mileage may vary, but new 11.2 rear tires are ~$500 per
pair for cheap ones with new tubes and mounting around here.
They need to be considered in price.

In pieces, I would be very skeptical unless I knew the seller's
aptitude for organization and his ability to keep "everything".
 
I bought an ugly, non-running tractor a
couple of years ago. Seller had talked to
the dealer about trading it in for a
better one. When he asked what it was
worth the dealer just deadpanned; "What
does it weigh?"
 
(quoted from post at 02:07:08 04/26/17) I bought an ugly, non-running tractor a
couple of years ago. Seller had talked to
the dealer about trading it in for a
better one. When he asked what it was
worth the dealer just deadpanned; "What
does it weigh?"

When asked about taking a machine in trade, I have asked sometimes, "do you have a boat?"
 
i dont mean to hijack your post but i am kind of the same predicament. i was told of an 8N that may be for sale, it has a blown head gasket. the guy originally paid 1500 for it.
everything is supposed to work, the hood has a little rot but not too much. what would be a fair offer.
 
(quoted from post at 10:10:43 04/26/17) i dont mean to hijack your post but i am kind of the same predicament. i was told of an 8N that may be for sale, it has a blown head gasket. the guy originally paid 1500 for it.
everything is supposed to work, the hood has a little rot but not too much. what would be a fair offer.

The owner is thinking a $15 head gasket and it is a $1500 tractor again . What it really means is the whole tractor is very worn and the head gasket was the first item to break and stop the tractor from being used .

If you are not willing to spend $1500 on rebuilding the motor , rear end seals , steering bushings , tie rod ends , etc , then passing would be a good idea .

Spending $1500 on a $500 tractor may give you a dependable tractor that is worth $2000 . Your labor is a write off . You rebuild an N because you enjoy it as a hobby , you are low on money and use sweat equity to obtain a piece of equipment , or you have mental issues .
 
i was going to offer between 6 and 7 hundred, i have a 53 jube and a 1963 621 USAF Tug. I have always wanted an 8 or 9 N, my dad is retired so he would love to tinker with it as well. i guess you could say its a hobby, and a little mental, lol
 
a non running tractor regardless what a friend or stranger says about it would make me suspicious of it, its a gamble, I wouldn't want to spend but $300-500
 

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