1939 9N opportunity

martyh

Member
I have the opportunity to buy what is claimed to be serial #9457. It is a non running indoor stored project. Asking price of $700. Any thoughts?



39348.jpg
 
I don't see anything from that view that says it's an early 9N...more detailed photos would help too. Where did that number come from? Serial numbers were hand stamped on a boss just below the head and behind the oil filter canister. Will have a star 9N prefix ( *9N )followed by number xxxx and then ending with another star.


Tim *PloughNman* Daley(MI)
 
The steering wheel is wrong too, so is the starter switch, etc. But, if it's really the correct serial number, I'll have a legit '39 and can restore from
there. $700 for a genuine '39 has my attention. More thoughts?
 

"The steering wheel is wrong too, so is the starter switch, etc. But, if it's really the correct serial number, I'll have a legit '39 and can restore from
there. $700 for a genuine '39 has my attention. More thoughts?"

if you're willing to spend what it takes to get it back to right, more power to ya :)
 
I would check casting dates and the date on the hyd. pump.
If the serial number is right it may be a '39 engine in a later
tractor. Nothing wrong with that, but the engine doesn't run.
If the block isn't cracked and the engine can be made to run
it might well be worth that to a collector even if the rest of
the tractor turns out to be an early 2N.
If it had the early 9N generator I wouldn't think you could lose.
 
You are nearer to me then I thought. I
check CL daily for Ford tractors and
that ones been for sale for a little
while. Doesn't seem too bad if the
engine looks good, turns over, etc. I
paid more then that for a non runner 2n
but it had a couple nice implements
along with.
 
The grill is wrong, 1942, the axle that we can see is wrong, 1939 would be smooth, but they often broke and were replaced, steering wheel is
wrong. The radiator cap is missing, the battery door is 1940 or later. Nothing unusual for a working tractor, someone tried to keep it nice in it's
early life. But finding all of those parts for a correct restoration will be difficult.

Jerry
 
Doesn't look like a 39 to me. I would sure grab it at 700 bucks.

At auction that tractor would be worth 1500.
 
Got me a 43, according to serial number any ways, that's a mutt.
8N head and rear center section.
Paid almost double what you can get that one for.
But then mine came with a FEL.
Told SWMBO if my tractor ever has to go then I'm next.
 
Yeah, I recognize all the things that are wrong about it and I appreciate the list. I'm not new to the early Fords. I have a restored 1940 9N pictured above. Below it is another picture of the project tractor we're discussing. It is odd that other than the radius arms and the claimed serial number that nothing else visually is correct on that project tractor. I would definitely be disappointed if this was an engine swap onto a 2N. I'd like to avoid a frankentractor. The other possibility is that the seller is completely wrong about the serial number. The seller suggests this is perfect for a collector to restore but is not exactly chatty so I have to ask specific questions to get any sort of info. For example, "does it run?". I was expecting a story about how it ran until the tank started leaking so they parked it or that it was running out in the field and all of the sudden the distributor went bad, etc. Instead I got back. "No, it does not run". Maybe I'll hold out for an exceptionally nice Jubilee or 800/801 series like I've been starting to look for as a companion to my 640. I have a lot of other projects as it is. I just hate to see this end up in the scrap yard and we lose another one.
a234889.jpg

a234890.jpg
 
Other than the serial no, I don't see many '39 features on that tractor. If you want a '39 as a show tractor, you are are going to need to
find a lot of early parts - hood, grill, fenders, steering wheel, generator, smooth hub and 32" wheels. I would keep looking.
 
I agree. Nothing looks like a '39 except the radius arms. I sent the seller several specific questions. If I get nothing but silliness back I'm forgetting about it.
 
I see lots of ads by people selling 9Ns claiming that theirs is a '39. A lot are obviously not. The only value I see is that if the serial no is correct. Someone might be able to use the block to restore a '39.
 
Hang in there Marty, it took me 5 or 6 years to find a '39' that had enough original parts that I could justify it for my project. You know what to look for, you will find the right one.
a234961.jpg
 
Your '40 9N looks good for the most part. 32" rears on hat rims a plus. the bumper/grille guard is an 8N part, but no biggie, and you have it mounted upside down. Oil filler is wrong...running boards incorrect but then you didn't say you were after all original...

Tim
 
Those deficiencies aren't news to me. On my '40 the first thing I did was remove the bumper. How can I ID an original from aftermarket? If it's a genuine part from the era I'll keep it. If it's clearly aftermarket it's probably going into the neighbor's steel pile. The filler neck was shortened and the correct oil breather won't fit the tube. I was going to ask about that one of these days but I'll start a new thread to get into that. The running boards are for convenience. If I show the tractor they'll come off. It also must have the wrong axle extension on one side because I think a '40 still should have the grease fittings facing forward? I have one forward and one aft. Yes, I do want to take the tractor to as original as practical.
 
The seller blew me off when I asked several questions about the 1939 claim. I am passing and moving on.
 
(quoted from post at 13:40:24 08/19/16) The seller blew me off when I asked several questions about the 1939 claim. I am passing and moving on.

Out of the blue this afternoon the seller sent me a picture of the rear of the tractor I had requested. Low and behold, it's a 2N. The fender mount bosses were the open type. So either someone mashed two tractors together or he's incorrect about the serial number. I'm not interested.
 

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