In need of restoration near Austin TX

I have a 1950's Farmall 560 LP tractor that I would like someone to tear down, blast, paint and reassemble. I live just outside of Austin and can't find anyone who does this type of work. I was hoping someone may recommend someone close by. Also I'm curious as to about how much something like this usually costs. Just round a bout.

Thanks!

I can't help you with a vendor, but I
know a guy that just put 10k into a
farmall cub. Thing runs sweet, but to
rich for my blood.

Try paige tractor paige texas about 50 miles
east of austin

What something like that will cost all depends on what you have and what you want!

Hiring a turn key restoration will be economically unfeasible! Even DIY, you will spend 10X what the value of the tractor is.

There are many levels of "restoration". All the way from "complete disassembly" to "car wash and spray paint"!

Also, what are your intentions as for the use of the tractor? If it will be a working tractor, the repairs need to be more mechanical. If it rill be a semi retired parade tractor, lean more toward "looks". Yard art is strictly "looks from a distance". Show or true "restoration" is the most costly, involves getting everything, mechanical and cosmetics, to the level of perfection that you are satisfied with. This is usually reserved for tractors wit a lot of personal sentimental value, or are very rare and have collector value.

Most of us do our own work. That's not saying we don't farm some of it out, like machine shop work and paint and body. But typically the disassembly, cleaning, assessment, and reassembly are done in house. And most of what is sent out is done by people we know, calling in a favor, bartering... It's all part of the fun!

One option you might look into is finding a high school or trade school that will help with the paint and body, especially if you take them the components.

Can also check with a prison. Around
here the inmates tore tractors down and
rebuilt. Maybe $6 an hour. Some times
you would get candy paint and flames if
you didn't make things clear.

I'm just south of Austin and don't know anyone who does this commercially. I suspect an auto restorer would charge an arm and a leg and other key body parts to tackle a
tractor. There is a commercial sandblasting company off FM 812 that will do the blasting if you take in the parts. Most of the fun in restoration is getting the old
rusted nuts loose any way.

Call Clint Noll at 830-391-1678. His business is south of Floresville, Texas.

I completely missed recommending you contact some of the high school ag science departments. Some of them do projects like that if you furnish all the materials. you
didn't say which direction you are from Austin but some of the surrounding towns have active FFA chapters.

Thanks to all for the info! I agree with it taking all the fun out when you have someone do it for you. I bought this 560 with the intention of my father in law and I getting it fixed up, more just for good time spent together wrenching on something. Found a blown head and had a machine shop do a valve job etc. I'm stuck at getting the old sleeves out of the block and was trying to avoid pulling the crank shaft. I thought a guy could get the engine back together and sandblast the frame, and loose sheet metal parts and we could put the thing back together. I just hope I remember how it came apart as its been about a year since I tore it down.
Thanks again for the info, I'll try Paige and the other fellow that was recommended. I'm in granger btw.

have fun. I'm in south Manchaca

(quoted from post at 10:47:32 08/15/16)
I'm stuck at getting the old sleeves out of the block and was trying to avoid pulling the crank shaft.

Click to expand...

The old sleeves are easy to remove IF you have a puller. Without it, good luck. Some folks will make one......see youtube for some how-to videos. I found a truck parts store in Houston that will rent the pullers by the day. Mine came out easy as pie with the right tool.