Sprucin' up a 1951 Farmall M

[Dusti Snider]

Thought I'd start a thread on the next phase on our '51 M. I've posted a couple other threads over the last year or so. Long story short, we've owned it about a year and half, after having found it sitting by the side of the road about 5 years ago.

It was a non-running tractor when we bought it. I've pretty much went through all the mechnicals. I freshened up the engine, replaced a couple seals, done the brakes, carb, and starter. I've also scrounged up alot of missing/wanted parts including a set of lights, seat toolbox, battery box and numerous other goodies.

January 15 I took the day off work and spent the day pressure washing and spraying oven cleaning. I followed it up by going over alot of it with a wire cup/grinder and removing as much from the tractor as I could and still drive it back into the shop.

So after about 30 hours heres how she sits now. I'll spend the rest of the winter tinkerin' and hopefully be ready to final paint this spring. I'll post more pictures as it comes along...

[KETCHAM]

About the same condition my H is in.At least the engine doesn't have to get rebuilt.A nice paint job would be great!!!! Kevin

[Phillip W. Lenke]

Nice
Takes up lots of room does it not.
Not to much moving it now .
Good luck and if you need any tech advice been through ours Completely.
Phil

[RaymondDurban]

Looking good. Keep us posted!!

[johnny j]

Looking good

[MaineDad]

Looks good. How long is an "H"?

[Dusti Snider]

Same as an "M", 133"

Pulled the brake band covers off again over the weekend and removed the radiator support/brace rod. Spent a couple hours scratchin' with a flat file and makin' a lot of dust fly with the wire cup on the grinder. Not much else to report. Gettin' close to starting some selective reassemble and spot priming/painting...if it ever warms up enough.

Dusti

[Dusti Snider]

Little bit of progress to report over the month or so. Both adjusting bolts and nuts were missing from the brake band covers so I spot welded new 3/8" nuts in and new 3/8" bolts.



The seat was a mess. Here it is after I stripped it all down and was beginning reassembly. It was missing the toolbox and had a awful looking brace welded in it's place. It had two extra holes torch cut in it and the hingle pin hole was all wollered out and the pin itself was worn.



Long story short I welded up all the holes and made/fit new pins. Bought a used toolbox off the auction site after looking for one for over a year. Left the original "homemade" trip rope clip attached to the seat. For now I'm leaving the original seat minus the upholstery, maybe someday I'll get it recovered.



I really like using good original used parts if I can...its cheaper, and it's more fulfilling for me rather than buying new.

The Farmall badge is an issue I've wrestled with some. It's tin, not aluminum and obviously not original to this tractor new, but it was on it when we brought it home. part of the story of the tractor I suppose. I suspect that the grille has been replaced sometime and perhaps the hood too. I've discovered some evidence on the ol' gal that leads me to believe she's been rolled or something has fallen on it. Perhaps thats where the badge came from. At any rate the badge had at least three coats of paint on it, the first white, followed by red, then black. Here's before and after pictures...








Here's how it sits now, reassembly and spot priming well underway...

[RaymondDurban]

Moving right along, looking real nice!! Keep it up and keep us posted.

[Song]

That's going to be a fine machine when you are done

[krose]

Comming right along. What a great project.
Kevin

[VAcub]

Looking really good!

[Dusti Snider]

It's been a couple months since I posted an updated on my progress with the "M". It's begining to take shape now. Had a pretty succesfull weekend here. Got the last two two coats of paint on the tractor. Wet sanded everthing again on Friday night, then painted the chassis and the sheetmetal again.



I ended up having a sag in the right rear side of the hood, so I, going to shoot it again in a few days.



The gas tank and the grill are back on and alot of the Maple Hunter decals. I installed the new gauges and some of the trim...









Got the front rims repainted and I took them to the tire shop in the morning for new shoes...

Cloth wiring, wire loom and misc stuff should be in this week from Brillman company...

Note the reproduced dealership decal, custom made by the local county opportunity workhop, they employ handicapped people. The decal bares the name of my greatgrandfather brothers lumber store and IH dealerhsip here in town that closed back in the early 60's...I think its my favorite extra touch!

On track now to have it finished in order to make the Satuday night cruise-in at the local Sonic Drive-In on 7/31 and most off all the Mercer County WV Fair on August 6 & 7th.

[Barnyard]

Awesome looking M! You are doing a fantastic job on it!

[Rudi]

Dusty:

You are doing a bang up job on that M I agree with you too.. original good used parts are a lot more satisfying than just replacing with repro's... plus the hunt is part of the journey and sometimes the most interesting section of the saga. Keep having fun and enjoy yourself