Sprucin' up a 1951 Farmall M

[mikeintn]

Looks very good, nice to see another one saved, good job

[Phillip W. Lenke]

Nice boy you got her done up quick, A precleaner on the IH's are not complete without the green stuff in there , you get lots of coments from those Green Folks ,Green with envy.
Nice Job!
Phil

[Bigdog]

Dusti - I've been following your progress and the M looks great! Can't wait to see the finished tractor!

[Harold R]

Outstanding. I like the dealership decal. Nice, personal touch. Great job all the way around.

[Darin]

Wow, I must compliment you too. I would be proud as a Peacock! The little JD in the air cleaner cracks me up, I love it! Would love to see a completed pic if you have one. My next tractor is going to be a wide front end M.

[Dusti Snider]

This past weekend was the 2010 Mercer County WV Fair and we took the Farmall M to make her debut. Sherri and I put the finishing touches on her last weekend and finally got it ready last Monday. Last year I volunteered to organize a tractor and engine display as part of the fair and we took her while she was still in her workclothes.

Thanks everyone for all the compliments...I really appreciate all your input and advice. I hope this thread will remain on the board along time to encourage others on their projects.

Over the next year I'm really going to concentrate on promoting the antique tractor and engine hobby in this area, and will be using the Farmall "M" to accomplish that. I'm planning on taking the "M" to a few local car show "Cruise-In's" in the next few weeks, as well as the Tazewell County Virginia Fair, and a couple tractor shows in North Carolina in the fall.

To close this thread I'll post a couple pictures taken during and after the Fair this weekend.

I would be remiss not to acknowledge some people in my life whose help with this project was priceless….my great friend Ray Smith for all the free parts, priceless advice, and encouragement…my Dad for teaching me to work with my hands and instilling an appreciation for all things mechanical…my daughter Beth, my greatest accomplishment for at least trying to understand my fascination with heavy, rusty , smelly pieces of iron…my wonderful wife Sherri, for making room in the family budget for tractors and whose hard work at my side has only been exceeded by her patience with me. And not to "preach" but simply I must acknowledge The Master Restorer for the skill He gives to work with my hands, and for seeing enough potential in me to give me a second chance, just as I saw enough potential in this ol’ tractor to give her a second chance…











And just for posterity...here's a before and after...

Before...





After...

[Mr E]

That is absolutely AWESOME, Dusti !!!








PS: The 420 is eye-candy, as well.

[Bigdog]

Very, very nice Dusti!

[Dusti Snider]

Mr E.
Since you asked...not trying to stray off-topic here...

That's a 1959 John Deere 430W that I restored last winter...

[Darin]

Those are some showroom looking tractors you have Dusti. The paint is phenominal! You got skills.

[Phillip W. Lenke]

Nice Nice job
You really left me in the dust on ours
Great looking machine. Seems the red ones get peoples choice , although the green ones are nice as well. I would consider one in the herd but the red are the ones off choice just ask the people.
Phil

[DanR]

Did I mention that my M came with 2 green things in the pre cleaner? The real green one is now seriously for sale.

[Dusti Snider]

Comin' from you guys the compliments mean alot. Bigdog you have no idea how much I've learned about tractors mechanics from reading some of your old posts...I really appreciate your willingness to share. Phil I'd say you've accomplished far more than I have, best I remember your's wasn't in no where near the shape mine was in...not to mention yours looks like a text book restoration to me. MIne not so much, I do 'em to where I'm satisfied...somethings original, some things not. I try to use good original used parts rather than reproductions, yes it takes more time...but cheaper...way cheaper and generally speaking they fit better.

The paint on the sheetmetal is still my least favorite part. After around 8 coats of TSC Restoration Series Paint and hardner, and two cheap paint guns in the hands of a novice that really didn't have a clue....I finally just give up. Three times of doing it over was enough for me. It turned out worse than I was really wanting, but better than I thought it was going to after I started. If that makes sense. I hate bodywork...

[KETCHAM]

L KS GREAT!!!!! wanna do a H What happened to the deere fly at the show????? Kevin

[Dusti Snider]

Ketcham,

Must have escaped...got sucked on through the carb or something...

Naw...since I did haul three other Deeres to the show I just didn't feel right...

Bring that H on...I'm lookin' for another one to do...and someone else to pay for it