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Case Tractors Discussion Forum
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Case LA restoration project, good idea?

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combinekid

11-14-2004 23:37:20




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Hi I am a young man and I live in WA state. I am new to the site. Ever since I was a little kid I have liked old tractors and combines. My Dad and I run a custom harvesting company. Across the road from our farm there is a piece of ground that is covered with sagebrush and some old 50"s era farm equipment and other old junk. I used to explore this area as a young kid. Amounst the junk there is an old Case LA tractor. I have eyed it for years and wondered if it would be a good restoration project. The other day I heard that the owner of this ground was going to put irrigation on it and start farming it. If this happens all the old stuff will have to be hauled away. I thought that maybe I should offer him scrap price for the tractor or something like that. Is this a good idea? I do not know much about Case tractors. This LA looks mostly compleate. Other then the fact that someone has removed three of the tires and wheels the rear deck, seat,hood and gas tank(all of which are near by). The tractor upon quick inspection has a cracked exhust manifold, is missing the front grill (some old farmer rigged up a hydrolic pump and homemade weights in its place).There is no muffler but the manifold pipe is covered with a tin can. I dont know if the engine is stuck or free. On the rear of the tractor there is a cover missing that looks like it goes over an opening for an optional pto shaft. This leaves an approx 2" hole into the differentle but there is a piece of steel loosely covering the opening. There most likely are a few other problums but over all the tractor looks complete. It has the usual farmer modificatons someone expanded the size of the gas tank and widened out the rear rims so it could handle wider tires. I would like to restore the tractor if feasable but I have limited funds. If this sounds like a real expensive project I would consider not even talking to my neighbor. My questions are as follows. How is parts availabilaty and price? What is a rough cost an avarage restoration? Is restoring to sell a good idea? Is it profitable? (I would really like to keep it but depending on cost I don"t know if I could) What is a restored LA worth? Oh also I might mention that My Dad and I are both confident farm equipment mechanics and familiar with farm equipment. The winter time is our off season so I am looking for something to do in the evenings when I am not working on our own equipment. Thanks in advance for all the help. Pardon the spelling and grammer they were not my best subjects in school

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mike's600

11-15-2004 19:24:22




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 Re: Case LA restoration project, good idea? in reply to combinekid, 11-14-2004 23:37:20  
Its a very good idea. I'am putting the final coat of paint on my LP.LA. It's a good looking tractor restored. The LA can make a good puller if you want to have fun with it!Sold my last one a few years back for 2500.00 quick.



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C. Amick

11-15-2004 10:27:48




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 Re: Case LA restoration project, good idea? in reply to combinekid, 11-14-2004 23:37:20  
Yes, the engine is likely going to be stuck, unless someone has filled the engine completely full of oil to prevent it. You should check to see if the engine block might be cracked. Is there any coolant in the radiator? Check to see if there is any coolant in the bottom of the oil pan. Parts are available both used and new. I figure you are going to have to put at least $1,200 into it. I doubt that you can make money by fixing it up and selling it. You will likely loose money. Selling price varies a lot depending on location. Would I buy it to rescue it from the junk man? Yes I would, which is the reason why I own most of the tractors that I have.

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Camboted

11-15-2004 04:54:29




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 Re: Case LA restoration project, good idea? in reply to combinekid, 11-14-2004 23:37:20  
Kid, it depends upon your motive. Economically it will make no sense, and I have seen better LA's than the one you describe sell for less than a new manifold will cost you, (see the auction listing below) but the reward of restoration work is the satisfaction of rescuing something that others regard as junk and turning it into a piece of beauty. If that is your motive then the more hopeless the cause the more glorious the outcome. Go to it! People may say you are nuts but you'll have good company on this forum.

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todd hamilton

11-15-2004 11:47:22




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 Re: Case LA restoration project, good idea? in reply to Camboted, 11-15-2004 04:54:29  
Hi Ted: Just a friendly rebuttal about the economics of a restoration. Let's say he goes all through it for $3K. Where or how else can you get a good 50 HP tractor for that kind of money? He won't be able to re-sale it and get all of his money back, but my SC has paid for itself plowing snow and doing landscaping chores. I have less than $2K invested in mine, and while it wouldn't win any shows or pulls, it looks and runs good enough for parades. An old LA would make a cool wagon-puller at harvest time.

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Brian in Ohio

11-15-2004 14:42:54




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 Re: Case LA restoration project, good idea? in reply to todd hamilton, 11-15-2004 11:47:22  
...and to further add to your poin Todd...

An LA does make a great parade tractor when you have little ones. That big roomy platform gives them a safe place to stand, ride and wave to the crowd. Something that he may want to think about when he gets older and has a family. My two kids jump on the chance to get up on my "L" and ride. You couldn"t buy my tractor for $1,000,000. Just for that purpose...

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woodrow

11-15-2004 16:06:29




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 Re: Case LA restoration project, good idea? in reply to Brian in Ohio, 11-15-2004 14:42:54  
LA case tractors were a standard plowing tractor on the central plains. The LA replaced the L and was originally on gas the somewhat put on Kerosene or sometimes called low cost fuel. They run best on propane. As for bein stuck, the engine crank should be on the front if it wasn't removed in the modification process. The power steering most likely came off of a 500 diesel of the later 30 series. 930 was most common to canabalize for power steering. If you are wondering , I grew up on case tractors and my college proffesor at Oklahoma State is an old case guru. His dad owned the case dealership in western Ok when these tractors were new. They are one of the simplest to work on and most parts are surprisingly still available. Almost all of the exhaust manifolds are cracked. Cases are the toughest to use and I won the 8600# master puller divison here this year with my stock tractor. I was fortunate to find this one in a barn in out of the field condition. It had 100# of dirt on the hood but we got it started and drove it on the trailer. I can help point you to some parts and Tom will have service and parts manuals. If he is an older guy tell him you will do your best to restore or return it, many will give it to you so it wont go to scrap.

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dbb

11-17-2004 07:39:31




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 Re: Case LA restoration project, good idea? in reply to woodrow, 11-15-2004 16:06:29  
Woodrow - an O'State grad here. Send me an email if you catch this. I would like to know who the professor is you mentioned. I am slowly working on a 48 S and then need to have a go at the 49 D. I live in Kansas City area now, but hope to move back south one day. Always good to know there are other POKES about, especially Case ones.



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woodrow

11-22-2004 20:31:35




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 Re: Case LA restoration project, good idea? in reply to dbb, 11-17-2004 07:39:31  
dbb, this is kind of old but if you need Dr Tom's address or anythng you can give me an e-mail and I will help you find what you need.



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Engineer20

11-15-2004 06:54:09




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 Re: Case LA restoration project, good idea? in reply to Camboted, 11-15-2004 04:54:29  
Hello CombineKid,

I"m fairly new at this old tractor business myself. I bought an LA for my first project but it sounds a bit better than the one across the road from you. I had to buy something that was in fairly decent shape. I don"t have a large shop where I can completely tear down a project tractor. You are probably better equipped to work on large machinery than myself. The LA that you are describing might be good to buy just to use for a parts tractor if you decided that it was to much to restore. You should be able to get it very cheap. Does it still have the serial number tag? Have you looked around for any other LA"s in your area? I found mine for $1400.00. Needs some work but it"s complete, straight and runs good. I have found a lot of good info on this forum. Good luck with what ever you decide and keep us posted.

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Combinekid

11-15-2004 19:33:53




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 Re: Case LA restoration project, good idea? in reply to Engineer20, 11-15-2004 06:54:09  
Thanks so much for all the good advice. I tried posting this earlier and it never showed up so if this shows up twice you all will know why. I did have a few questions that I forgot to ask last night. Where is the serial number located? What is parts availabliy like for sheet metal like hoods fenders gas tanks etc? The fenders are ok I think but the hood has had one corner crumpled and re welded it probably could be fixed but I just don't know. The fuel tank was modifed to incease it's capcity so I think it should be replaced to restore the origional look. A few other things that I might mention are that there is still oil in the engine and it looks pretty good too. I guess the biggest worry of mine is what is the transmission and diffrential like? With the hole being opened I just dont know. Does any body know, can you sink a lot of money in a LA rear end? Somewere I think I heard these things are chain drive but I am not sure. Thanks for all the help and if I do indeed get the tractor I will keep you guys posted on furter developments.

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Brian in Ohio

11-15-2004 20:27:19




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 Re: Case LA restoration project, good idea? in reply to Combinekid, 11-15-2004 19:33:53  
If there is no serial number plate on the dash of the tractor, you will find the serial number stamped on the flange where the engine and transmission bolt together, or the driver's left side. It should be a 7 digit number. Once you find that number, take the first two digits, and subtract 4. That will give you the year of the tractor. (5412345 [54 - 4 = 50] 1950)

I don't know where you are located, but I have a parts engine for an LA. If I can be of assistance, let me know.

Just remember one thing... if it's something you really enjoy, price shouldn't matter. No one says you have to restore it in a day. Save up your lunch money, trade with other collectors, get what you need a piece at a time, and it will all come together in time. And if you need help, you can always come here. This is a great bunch of guys and they will answer anything you throw at them.

If you think about it, snap off a couple of photos and post them here. If we had a look at your project, we could help with advice.

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