6000 project, update #2

Bern

Well-known Member
Location
Mount Vernon, WA
My 6000 project is moving along, albeit slowly. I had been focusing primarily on painting while the weather outside was
still decent. Painting that 300 pound front casting two different colors was a challenge, but I was happy with the end
result. I'm waiting for the plating shop to chrome the headlight bezels, which were very rusty. Some fine steel wool, a
small detail brush, and some "tomato red" paint made quick work of restoring the F-O-R-D letters.

I painted the frame rails now since getting to the insides of them would be darn near impossible once the tranny and engine
are back in place. The rear wheels and rims are painted as well - I had to do this before I could even get the thing home
because of the rusted rims (replaced with new ones). I can't get over how heavy all the iron is on this "65 HP" pig. It's a
wonder any of it got to the ground after passing through the SOS trans.

The only mechanical work I've done so far was to replace both rear axle seals. The axle seal surfaces were deeply grooved,
so they both ended up with speedi-sleeves. I also tightened up the wheel bearings to remove all end play.

I've still got a long ways to go, but I'm off to a good start. That said, I'm still wondering just what I was thinking
taking on a project that is almost impossible to find parts for!
a282000.jpg
 

I keep looking at ads for 6000s. I think that due to the lack of success of the model that it will be one that will hold its value among collectors into the future. Kind of the opposite of the 8N, which has held its value due to its continued utility.
 
It's definitely the "Edsel" of Ford tractors, without the ugly Edsel looking '61-'64 front end. Other than the SOS trans and
maybe the radiator cap, I don't think there's anything the same between it and the 5000.
 
Looking good! I've always had a soft spot for the Commanders, since my Grandpa had one. He would talk about how nice that 6-cylinder diesel ran, and how nice the SOS was for some jobs.
It was my understanding that the SOS in the 6000 was like the one in the x01 or 4-cylinder 2/4000, not the 5000. I've had both a 971 and a 5000 SOS, but no personal experience with a 6000... I was 2 when Grandpa traded his for the 7000.
 
You are correct in the SOS trans comparison. That said, all of the guts between the various SOS transmissions are largely the same, so that's what I meant when I made my statement. Essentially, the 5000 SOS is the same with the exception that everything inside is essentially upside down from the other variants, as well as the fact that the 5000 version does not have a PTO clutch.
 
I think its pretty darned cool you went for a 6000 project. I remember the first one I saw in our shop when they were only about 5 years or so old, I forget when they stopped making these. It was so different than all the other models, always wondered about that. It always stood out to me, the 2 levers instead of one on this model with a Select-O-Speed transmission. Our dealership sold them new, not long before we took it over, so we did see them in the shop on occasion. I'd sure like to go back in time and rummage through that place in it's heyday, will always be a ford tractor fan, that is for sure ! I'd like to find a 64 4000 with S-O-S like the one I ran for many years, it was a great tractor for a lot of common tasks.
 
Bern, saw a very few of those still around Atlanta when I worked at a Ford Dealer downtown
what a beast they were! I visited a junkyard up in North Ga maybe 20 years ago, found some pics you might get a kick out of -
<a href="http://s33.photobucket.com/user/Joecdeere/media/Georgia%20Junkyard/Ford6000.jpg.html" target="_blank">https://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d84/Joecdeere/Georgia%20Junkyard/Ford6000.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Ford6000.jpg"></a>
<a href="http://s33.photobucket.com/user/Joecdeere/media/Georgia%20Junkyard/6000ford.jpg.html" target="_blank">[img]"http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d84/Joecdeere/Georgia%20Junkyard/6000ford.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 6000ford.jpg</a[/img]
<a href="http://s33.photobucket.com/user/Joecdeere/media/Georgia%20Junkyard/6000ford2.jpg.html" target="_blank">
6000ford2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 6000ford2.jpg
</a>
 
Looks good Bern.
They are a very unique tractor for sure.
My pal Kenny says he had one of those about 30 years ago.
He had it dualed up with 18.4 30s - all loaded - and enjoyed working the snot out of the thing.
There was a very good SOS man at the local dealer and he "tuned up" the transmission so it was crisp and good.
Ken still speaks fondly of that tractor.
I always think of The Jetsons when I see one. Kind of a 60s futuristic styling on them.
Am looking forward to future updates here.
 
(quoted from post at 18:35:03 10/08/18 ) It always stood out to me, the 2 levers instead of one on this model with a Select-O-Speed transmission.

Yeah! But only one of those "levers" was transmission. The other was throttle.
 
Yup, that odd futuristic look of the 60s that it has.

Nice start and keep us updated, Bern!

Paul
 
If it were a little closer, I might go and see if they're still there! I could sure use a few of those parts. I'm on the west coast though.
 
Some of you remember the Mercury Cougar I put the 6000 diesel in. I loved it, the best fuel mileage I got was 42.9 mpg on a trip thru
Colorado. It would get mid 30's any day on the Interstate at 70 mph. It rests in my basement now.
Jim from Alabama
 

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