981 diesel

Husker 50 8n · Jun 29, 2020

I recently brought home this 981 diesel. Hadn't run in several years, owner passed away. Good tin, decent paint, starter was not in working order, no battery. I have started the tractor but the motor knocks. Power steering works, tractor will move, haven't tried all gears (not letting the motor run very long. Trying to decide whether to part it out or not. The 172 diesel can be overhauled but not sure about putting that much money into it. Thoughts?

grandpa Love · Jun 29, 2020

I hate to see one get parted out.......
But you could make a small fortune on
that! I need those fenders.........
Shipping to Alabama might be rough.

WayneIA · Jun 29, 2020

Is there a legible serial number? On the transmission just behind and above the starter! That tractor "just don't look right to me"! It's obvious been repainted! And I don' think that style Power steering pump goes with a S.O.S transmission! But it sure is a nice looking tractor!!

Larry NCKS · Jun 29, 2020

That Husker makes me think you may be somewhere in Nebraska???

Husker 50 8n · Jun 29, 2020

Husker 50 8n · Jun 29, 2020

It has been repainted. They used a couple different PS pumps on the 801/901 series from what I have read. Tractor looks pretty good, older repaint. Probably 10-15 years ago is my guess. It had been setting in a nice enclosed building. I saw an ad for the 901 series WF, ad said WF for 8n/9n which I knew was not correct. I bought the WF and the son said his dad had a Ford tractor in the shed been setting for several years and wondered if I was interested. Generator was taken off, starter wires not connected, battery gone. I bought it as is. I started it a few times for short periods. Enough to know the tractor moves in forward and reverse gears but I've not been able to try all of them. Power steering is working and 3 point does lift (empty but it does raise, did not attach anything)

Larry NCKS · Jun 29, 2020

(quoted from post at 17:04:16 06/29/20) Yep

Wondering how close to me you are. I run back and forth between Lincoln, NE and Washington, Kansas.

ErnieD · Jun 29, 2020

Easy enough to drop the pan and check the bearings. If early sos, the overrunning clutch is no longer serviced.
The pto has a removable rear section for 540 or 1000 splines.

Fordfarmer · Jun 29, 2020

I've seen at least one other 901 with that style p/s pump. No idea if it was original.

Dean · Jun 29, 2020

It is.

My uncle bought a new one with the same pump in, IIRC, 1959.

Dean

Husker 50 8n · Jun 29, 2020

Just north of Fremont

Husker 50 8n · Jun 29, 2020

I did run the tractor and shift through both reverse gears and 3 through 8 then shut it down. Everything seemed normal but no chance to check the transmission when hot. I guess my idea is with motor problems, if the select-o-speed would also have problems the choice to part it out would be easier. What is anyone's opinion on the 172 diesel being rebuilt? How easy do they start with a fresh motor? I know a lot of the early diesels struggled to start in the cold. Anything tricky about the overhaul or is it similar to the 172 gas?

Greg NE · Jun 29, 2020

I'd hate to see one scrapped out also so I would do some more checking on the condition of the motor first. I
have no experience with the early diesels so I'm no help there. That being said I would be interested in some
parts if it turns out that's what you decide to do. I'm just west of you by Columbus so it wouldn't be hard to
swing by and make a deal so please keep me in mind as I have a 971, 881, and 2 early 4000s with the SOS so I'm
always looking for parts. Greg. NE

Larry NCKS · Jun 30, 2020

Wondering which version of the SOS the tractor has. There was an upgrade swap offered in the mid 60s. You can most easily tell which version it has by the raised number on the left side of the case about where your heel would be when sitting in the seat.

Original would bear the number 312259

Upgrade would bear the number C3NN-7006-B

The latter should be nearly bullet proof if cared for properly. The former possibly a bit more problematic.

Husker 50 8n · Jun 30, 2020

(quoted from post at 22:50:43 06/29/20) Is there a legible serial number? On the transmission just behind and above the starter! That tractor "just don't look right to me"! It's obvious been repainted! And I don' think that style Power steering pump goes with a S.O.S transmission! But it sure is a nice looking tractor!!

I think it is a 1959 model so 61 years old, no that is not original paint. But I think it is the correct PS pump. Like most diesels SN has disappeared from battery acid leaking on the casting. Just trying to decide if I want to put money into the diesel motor.

Dean · Jun 30, 2020

The early Ford 4 cylinder diesels are not highly regarded because many were problematic.

This is one situation, where I would convert to gasoline before rebuilding.

No, I did not say that none were any good....

Dean

JK-NY · Jun 30, 2020

Does it start and run good except for the knock? Is it running on all 4 cyl ? I think I would check out the source of the knock
before making any decision. As Dean mentioned, repowering with a gas engine would be another option if the diesel is too far gone,
then parts out any good diesel engine components. That tractor looks too good to give up on that easy.

KCM · Jul 1, 2020

Definitely check out the transmission gears first to see if they all work, especially the lower ones. If so, more inspection of the engine would be in order. Does it knock all the time or just on acceleration or deceleration of the engine? Is it a loud knock? Does it sound like one cylinder or all knocking? Could be anything from timing to a broken piston, or maybe the engine balancer.

I also hate to see a tractor that looks that good junked out, just would be a shame. If you decide to sell it in one piece, send me an email. I like diesels and don't have a #81 series, so would go to a good home.

Husker 50 8n · Jul 1, 2020

(quoted from post at 20:15:28 07/01/20) Definitely check out the transmission gears first to see if they all work, especially the lower ones. If so, more inspection of the engine would be in order. Does it knock all the time or just on acceleration or deceleration of the engine? Is it a loud knock? Does it sound like one cylinder or all knocking? Could be anything from timing to a broken piston, or maybe the engine balancer.

I also hate to see a tractor that looks that good junked out, just would be a shame. If you decide to sell it in one piece, send me an email. I like diesels and don't have a #81 series, so would go to a good home.

It's a pretty loud knock and did squeal just before I shut it down. Transmission is the older type with the freewheeling gears. Finding a good used motor may be my best option. Thanks for all the comments and advice.

KCM · Jul 6, 2020

The knock could be several things. The squeal sounds odd (no pun intended). Not sure what that would be. When I think squeal
I think of something like a belt slipping. Maybe a crankshaft bearing locking up could cause that noise, but that is just a
wild guess. Dropping the pan and checking the bearings would answer that question. Does it have decent oil pressure?

The direct-drive clutch that replaced the one-way clutch did not go into production until 1963 on the 2000 and 4000 models,
unless somebody swapped the transmission to a newer one. The diesel engine is essentially the same design as the gas engine
with a different fuel delivery/ignition system. In fact I believe the gas engine was the basis for the diesel. So if you have
worked on a gas engine, the diesel is really not much different to repair. They do have the extra crankshaft driven balancer to
get most of the vibration out of the engine. If you find out what is wrong, I'd be curious to know.

Good luck on your project.

Husker 50 8n · Jul 9, 2020

The tin work is amazingly straight on this tractor making me hate to give up on it but rebuilding the diesel seems expensive. What are any of the parts worth? Hood and side panels with grill? Fenders? Power adjust wheels? Working power steering pump? Good starter with new starter drive and new brushes? Sway bars for the 900 series? Selectrol valve? Fuel tank? Radiator? I'll try to post some more pics tomorrow of the parts. I also have a wide front for this 981.

Husker 50 8n · Jul 10, 2020

(quoted from post at 05:04:10 07/02/20)

(quoted from post at 20:15:28 07/01/20) Definitely check out the transmission gears first to see if they all work, especially the lower ones. If so, more inspection of the engine would be in order. Does it knock all the time or just on acceleration or deceleration of the engine? Is it a loud knock? Does it sound like one cylinder or all knocking? Could be anything from timing to a broken piston, or maybe the engine balancer.

I also hate to see a tractor that looks that good junked out, just would be a shame. If you decide to sell it in one piece, send me an email. I like diesels and don't have a #81 series, so would go to a good home.

Click to expand...

I didn't find your email or I would contact you.

981 diesel

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