Now I suppose most can relate on principle, I'm sure lots of us have something similar tucked away no matter what it is, same theory, but some significant pieces of the puzzle to either find, or just put together, its all the same no matter how you slice it, and the results are its stalled or prevented from being finished, there must be a name for this phenomenon LOL ! One thing is for sure, not matter what you do, you can't be wrong LOL !! Sell it all off, its off your list. Muster up some motivation and get rolling again, and keep at it till you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, given what you've posted about yourself here over the years, I'd bet we would see a photo of a nicely done tractor !
It seems to me as time goes by, if you own to many of these kinds of things, they start to want to or flat out start to own you LOL Thus, the relief granted, as was mentioned below if you sell it off.
On the other hand, (and I am good at gathering and finding parts too, getting things that are needed, its just the rest of it, - you know the work part of it LOL where I stall out) I know how that goes, its a secure feeling when building something when you have all the parts to it, its just you have to eventually be able to build it, and theres always other priorities with time, or money, + other things that get in the way. That's a hard one to figure sometimes.
In my situation, I'm glad I'm not a hoarder, but do collect a little, things that can be used or parts I know I need, I'd have a real mess if I ever added to what I already have, so I rarely bring anything new in. My problem is over time things accumulate, you get busy working, don't have the "fire" to work an extra few hours, something makes you lose interest, and it sits.
I would agree that having someone join in, someone you like and like to work with is a big help and incentive to keep it going. For me, once I finally get started, I don't like to stop until its done, problem is, getting started !!!! LOL.
I would vote for getting it done somehow, not as easy to just sell it, which I would assume you would probably do well being parts, no loss on the deal, but doing the build is one heck of an accomplishment, maybe its the last big one you do, someone in the family that appreciates it and would have to want to have this tractor as part of the fleet at some point later down the line, knowing who built it. I realize none of this stuff we have plays any role in the big picture, can't take it with you, but its nice to see things passed on, that is the result of someones hard work.
3 situations I can relate a little with, maybe inspire something here.
I have an old D7, I have a nice core for a clutch, but I am stalled on 2 things with it, getting the darned thing apart, so I can have the clutch plates relined, I'm not putting it back in and have to go back and do it over, its out and should be done, I've not found anyone nearby that works on these old double plate, with driven plate in the middle type clutches that can reline them and or take em apart. So its sat a few years, and I am determined to resolve it this year, I need to use the darned thing, I could sell it for scrap and make money as is, but I won't do it, its low hour, it will make a nice tractor for what I use it for. 2 older trucks in the yard, both worth fixing up, they just sit, mostly due to money, both were financed when bought, paid for with a little interest, but I've been stalled because I can't seem to get hired in my field, some of the work I'd send it out for, just to get it done, just don't have the funds, so it sits. Few other things need to be done, small engine equipment, then my old plow truck, the one tractor I have here is always in need of something, now my old grain truck too, so I do what I can with what I have, find deals on things when I can. I've committed to myself to getting these things done, I've cleaned up and made more work space in my garage and in the back of that, I've lowered my health care insurance costs, so I have a little extra to work with, if I do not get something done or at least started, I have to make the decision like you, send it down the road, or some of it down the road.
My neighbor, he ran a small engine, power equipment and saw shop for years, retired now, works a few days a week, he had a tumor on the brain, not cancer, but still. He's my dads age, and is THE most considerate, kind person I know. When they built on the lane here, what was once an entire hay field attached to our farm, he built a nice shop, and the things I have seen come out of there, classic cars, late 50's, 60's and some newer ones he's invested in, he reminds me of you, built his way up, he's a great grandad now too. He's probably got 10 years on you give or take, but he still keeps things rolling in this shop of his. The last car he did was an early 60's corvette, I mean frame off and up, a few years back, probably won't see any more projects, but he's always working on something, or maintaining it. I'd like to know and retain his motivation, its amazing ! His place is also one of the best kept in the neighborhood, we have to live up to his standards, as I joke with him about, its awesome to have him as a neighbor and he's one of the last, most are gone, and houses have all changed at least once.
I have another friend, since high school he's owned this 62 impala SS, his baby in a sense, but he's worked 6-7 days a week, always mediocre jobs, with rotten hours, most of his life, well he finally quit, made a career change, and regimented his time with everything, going back to school for an Associates degree in a much better field, he's already got one and 3/4 of a BS degree which he should finish. That '62 has been a thorn in his side all this time, in '88 or so, it was done, painted, interior nice, decent engine, but over time it faded like things do and needed a ton of work. So for what seems to be the better part of 10 years now, or more since we took out the motor and trans, had both totally rebuilt, the body was such a mess, rusted out in the rockers, floor pans, and hidden areas, when they cut it all out, there was not much left.
Now he's a good gatherer too, all kinds of parts and things, stockpiled. He cleaned out a bay in his little 2 car garage, now his dad was a top notch heavy equipment and truck mechanic, he's got a ton of great tools, he was also an old school body man, and could fabricate to no end, he was an artist, lettered many commerical and business vehicles here for years. Even with all that his son learned what he could about the body work, metal fabrication, (thinner body work metal) using many methods, but I don't think mastered it. I worked with his dad, we lost him last summer, he was top notch, the best, but his son still needed some help, so he employed the help of someone his dad taught as well, and both of them have been working on that car in dedicated increments of time, a day here, a weekend there. Currently, they finished all the metal work, everything, and they moved the car to another shop, so they can do the body work, get it prepped for paint, they will have it shot at another friends shop with a booth, someone I know personally, long time body shop, Finally ! Its been such a long time, we will see that car in its full glory again. He's been overworked, funds good, then not so good, at times, just seemed to spin his wheels, but with the help of his friend, they somehow got it turned around, and I mean this car was a real mess in places that needed a lot of work to restore, all with metal fabrication, very labor intense. I'm glad to see this progress, we are good friends its been a pain the whole time, but that car has a ton of memories, he'd be crushed to sell it, its almost an heirloom, yet we should be smarter than to get attached to a darned automobile, not as bad as the movie "Christine", but similar in a good way LOL ! He's no Arnie, cripes I'd un-friend him if he was that obsessed ! Since he's owned this car, I am the only other person that was ever trusted to drive it, have a photo of me just as I was taking off with it the last time I did, was '93 or so, I don't even think his dad drove it ! I am glad he did not sell it, somehow he stuck to his guns with all the other things that took priority.
Well way too long winded, but better than being in the bar today with all the happy people St Patrick's Day, maybe you enjoyed the story, and it influences you one way or the other LOL !!!!
