Restoration model advice

Backstory: I live next to a single mom, raising 2 rambunctious boys. The oldest - turning 16 soon - has recently gotten into engine repair and general mechanic work through a program at school, and has developed quite the mechanical aptitude. In discussions with him and his mom, he is very excited to help with a more involved tractor restoration. I've assisted in 3 restorations to some level, and am not a stranger in the garage, so we've come together with what will be a long-term "weekend" project. We won't be looking for a complete overhaul restoration, but more of a "working" tractor in need of some love, maybe something with minor engine checks/repairs, re-packing/greasing as needed, sheet metal, paint, etc. The goal is to teach him all he wants to learn about the process while restoring a tractor we can either keep and use, or sell to fund the next project (stop laughing...)

Question: While I know everything will always be a learning experience for both of us, the one area where I am hesitating most is in choosing a model to look for. What are some models to be on the lookout for where parts are still readily available? We are both leaning towards one of the IH models (but which of the many?!) or maybe a Ford 9n? Are there any other popular models to add to the list as we search for our project? Thanks, in advance...

Lookf or a Farmall H or M. They made plenty of them and you should be able to buy one for $1000 or less. Try to find something
with good tires, as they can get u upside down on a tractor in a hurry. I hope both of you have fun with this. When you get done
with it, go get another one. Sounds like a great project for both of you. Let us know the progress of this. Bill

(quoted from post at 09:43:16 07/13/22) Backstory: I live next to a single mom, raising 2 rambunctious boys. The oldest - turning 16 soon - has recently gotten into engine repair and general mechanic work through a program at school, and has developed quite the mechanical aptitude. In discussions with him and his mom, he is very excited to help with a more involved tractor restoration. I've assisted in 3 restorations to some level, and am not a stranger in the garage, so we've come together with what will be a long-term "weekend" project. We won't be looking for a complete overhaul restoration, but more of a "working" tractor in need of some love, maybe something with minor engine checks/repairs, re-packing/greasing as needed, sheet metal, paint, etc. The goal is to teach him all he wants to learn about the process while restoring a tractor we can either keep and use, or sell to fund the next project (stop laughing...)

Question: While I know everything will always be a learning experience for both of us, the one area where I am hesitating most is in choosing a model to look for. What are some models to be on the lookout for where parts are still readily available? We are both leaning towards one of the IH models (but which of the many?!) or maybe a Ford 9n? Are there any other popular models to add to the list as we search for our project? Thanks, in advance...

Click to expand...

A LATE Ford 8N would be reasonable, easy to fit in a garage, leaving room to work on it, and there's good parts availability at reasonable prices.

If you need to lift it or set it on stands it's not terribly heavy.

(There are GREAT improvements in the ignition system, steering, transmission and 3-point hitch vs. the 9N you mention.)

Will you be able to keep and use the tractor when it is finished or will you need to sell/dispose of it? If you will be keeping it to use look for one that fits your needs: mowing; moving snow; garden tillage; loader work; etc.

(quoted from post at 10:01:28 07/13/22) Lookf or a Farmall H or M. They made plenty of them and you should be able to buy one for $1000 or less. Try to find something
with good tires, as they can get u upside down on a tractor in a hurry. I hope both of you have fun with this. When you get done
with it, go get another one. Sounds like a great project for both of you. Let us know the progress of this. Bill

Click to expand...

The H is definitely on my list, as that was the first tractor I assisted on!

Oops, I meant 8N - in my head, I was thinking "the newer one", but came out 9N instead... thank you for the clarification, though.

Farmall Cub or A with a belly mower.
Cub is small, fits in a garage nice.
And parts are easy to find.

(quoted from post at 10:21:00 07/13/22) Will you be able to keep and use the tractor when it is finished or will you need to sell/dispose of it? If you will be keeping it to use look for one that fits your needs: mowing; moving snow; garden tillage; loader work; etc.

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If it works out to keep it, I/we could, but I already have one, and he has no need for one, other than the experience. I am guessing once it's done, we will sell it and either buy another project, or split the money.

H ,M,C and the supers are cheap and parts are easy to find.
Tires are the kicker on your deal, a thousand goes quick for
tires and wheels

Any standard Cub (not newer than 79), Farmall A, Super A, B, BN, C and Super C, Jim

I would second a Ford as parts are cheap
and plentiful. I would do a Deere since
there is tons of Deere support and
aftermarket support and the the frame can
still roll around with the engine out.....
Farmalls have to live on jackstands

Thanks for devoting the time to help his ambition !

Your located where?

Ford is a bit tricky to replace the sleeves. But you can find the right ones. Most Fords are a bit hard to pull the sleeves. and valves in the block can be another challenge

Challenges are good. It teaches one to be persistent and creative.

I'd recommend the small Allis tractors or a VAC Case. The kid should also join 4H Club and have
a tractor project and the guides that that go with it. The VAC is a good old man's tractor, but the
little Allis's need the athletic ability of a kid to get on and off.

My work is on generators. But this applies to both. I am 73 so I
have learned a few things
1 Find a good teacher.
2 Shut up and listen.
3 Ask questions. You may think you know it all. You don't.
4 Never be afraid to ask. That is how you learn.
5 You will always be learning.
6 When you know it all quit. Because you will become a danger to
all.

Since it is to be a "working" tractor be sure that it has a three point hitch.

Many young people start out on one or several lawn mower projects before they move up to cars or tractors, either a push mower or an old riding mower. The cost of parts is lower, fewer special tools are needed, the parts are smaller and easier to handle alone without a hoist or jack stands, the mowers are low cost if not free, the machines are simple and easy to understand, time to completion is shorter for better instant gratification, and when mistakes are made there is not much lost.

Something as simple as tearing down an old running mower, re-asssembling it and getting it running again can be a great learning experience and be very rewarding.

Everybody has their favorites and their brand loyalty, but the Fords and Farmalls won't gain much value if you're hoping to sell it
to make money for the next project. One with new paint isn't worth much more than one with old paint. In fact, an original might
bring more than a repaint when it comes right down to it. Take an Oliver 60, 66, 77, 88, Super 55 and do a good job, I mean
generator not alternator, all the sheet metal on it, not a big hole cut in the hood, proper size tires, and you just might get a
fair return. If it's a chop job with lipstick, then you'd better like it, because nobody else will want to start over and do it
right. Every part you could ever need is available for them.

Why crucify the young with a brand that will be near impossible to
find parts for and difficult to work on.

Get a H or M farmall and then you will have something when you get
done!!!!!

My advice would not be in the make or
model, but in picking one that isn't going
to be a project that is over your heads,
being in the new-be/beginner category.

What I mean is, if you want to replace rod
bearings, replace rod bearings and get as
extensive as you want to get. But start out
with a tractor that is all there, and
atleast runs already (even if runs poorly).

Diagnostics is MUCH MUCH easier to do on a
tractor that runs already.
A tractor that is froze up, is going to be
a very time consuming project, and may take
years to complete. Don't get into a project
that is going to take longer than this
neighbor kid is going to be around. Get
into a project that can be completed by the
time this kid graduates as a senior. Not
one over your heads, that ends up taking
longer than you planned, and it sits in
your garage as an un-completed project on
the day you go to his high school
graduation.

And not dogging the kid that is going to
mechanic school and learning engine repair,
and maybe learning to do stuff beyond your
capabilities, but don't pick a project that
is going to be over your head, in case you
end up being the one completing it on your
own. High school boy, 16?? He might have a
new girlfriend next week, and not have time
for tractors no more, about the time you
get a tractor all torn down. If he helps
you with it to the end, GREAT. But don't
pick a project that is going to end up
being project over your own head. Nothing
against the boy, but you don't want to be
sitting on a milk crate, holding the
crankshaft in your hands, watching him get
into his car with his senior prome date,
and asking yourself (I thought you were
going to help me put this back together??).

If he helps you start to finish, GREAT. But
don't pick a project over your own head, in
case he don't. He is a teenager after all.

2X girlfriend next week, LOL.