I wouldn't call $700 shoestring tight ;-) But given your description of your budget and intended use I'd start by freeing it up, slap a fresh set of rings in it, bolt it back together, change the fluids and take it out for a test run. If it will pull and spin the mower you need for your airstrip I'd call it good to go for the time being and move on.
If it lacks power or makes worrisome noises that you can reliably identify as piston related then pull the engine and resleeve it:
Sleeve and piston kit - $160.
Boring - 4@500 - $200.
Miscellaneous bits - $140.
That's $500. If that $700 budget isn't coming out of the grand kid's lunch money you might just skip the first phase, speed past GO, and deposit $500 in the tractor. All of that presumes the lower end is not in need of attention which you really won't know for sure until you get it started.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Madison's County - by Anthony West. Philip Madison has been a good friend of mine for quite some time. He has patiently suffered my incessant chit chat on the subject of tractors for longer than I care to remember, and on many occasions he has put himself out, dropped what ever it was he was doing, to come and lend a hand cranking handles, or loading a find onto a trailer. Although he himself has never actually owned or restored a tractor, he was always enthusiastic and always around helping with other peoples projects.
... [Read Article]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.