1956 800 Ford

[ROADMAN]

I have a 1957 850 that I think I have cracked the head or block when a piston came loose from the rod. I haven't had time to pull the engine and carry it to a machine shop for testing. However, I have found what the owner says is a 1956 800 for $1600.00. It starts and runs great and all the sheet metal is straight. Its a decent looking tractor for a worker. I am thinking about buying this tractor and installing the engine in my 850 and using the remainder for parts. The reason I don't just use the 850 for parts is because it has all the brackets for my loader. I cannot read serial no. on the 800, however the engine casting no. is EAF 6016R as best I can tell. From this no. can you tell if its a 172 CI engine that will fit in my 850. Also, the transmission on the 800 is a 5 speed that shifts forward and back. My 850 has a 5 speed that shifts up and down and right to left. Thats another reason I like the 850 for use with the loader. Third to Reverse is quick and easy. Is there any problem with bolting the 800 engine to my 850?

Thanks

Clay
 

[old]

Dude an 850 is an 800 series tractor and there was made a number of models like the 840 which had a 4 speed, then the 850 which is a 5 speed and also a 860 which is a 5 speed with live PTO. So what your looking at buying is in fact an 800 series 850 or 860 so just remove and install your loader on it and save your self many many hours since it is in fact the same or better modal tractor then what you already have
 

[jerry cooper]

I have an 800 series diesel block and a head that have been to machine shop (I parted out tractor ) I'll take $600.00 if you know anyone thats in the market) thanks Jerry cooper (281) 744-4935 They are posted on craigslist in farm and garden in Houston tx.
 

[ROADMAN]

Thanks Old: Your are right that would be the best way to go. I'm still wandering about the transmission. Did that shifting pattern change on these models? Like I said, the one I'm looking at buying has a forward and back shifting pattern. My 850 has a up and down left to right shifting pattern which I like better for using the loader. Also, did the 5 speed transmission only come on the 800 and 900 series tractors which would confirm that it is in fact a 800 series tractor. I can't read the serial no.

Thanks again:

Clay
 

[Fordfarmer]

The 5-speed was available in the 600 series as well.
If the one you're looking at shifts with a different movement than the 5-speed you have, it's probably a 4-speed. Some people, for some reason, count reverse as a speed when advertising their tractors. All Ford 5-speeds have the same shift pattern... and I agree with you about 3rd/reverse being handy for loader work.
 

[old]

As far as I know the 5 speed ALL had the same shift pattern so what the guy has with out looking is hard to say and many people do not know there machines and just say what they think instead of checking things out so they can tell the truth about what it is. You would not believe the things I have seen at shows that where clearly not what the person believed it was and when you say something they seem to get mad because your correcting them. Like one show where a guy had a A/C WD but he swore up and down it was a WD45 even when shown the facts that it was not
 

[souNdguy]

your shifter handle is probbaly bent.. or somehow? installed wrong.

the 5 speeds shift up / down and fore / aft... for/aft is a rotational movement.. thus if the shifter is bent or installed wrong, left right movement is the SAME rotational movement.. just a different location in the quadrant.
 

[souNdguy]

up/down?

not on a 4spd.. he's got a 5 and the shifter is bent or installed rwrong.. and he doesn't understand physics enough to know that fore / aft and left / right is the same rotational movement.. just in a different quadrant...
 

[Will Gumbert]

Could it be that the tractor you are looking at is really a 4-speed tranny? The 4 speed shift lever moves forward and back more like a car or truck, and as has been said the 5 speed moves up and down and sort of rotates. -Will

By the way, the engine casting number is probably EAF 6015 and according to John Smith's site, is a 172 ci block 1953-57.
 

[ROADMAN]

Sorry about the confusion. I was looking at the shifter wrong on the one I'm thinking about buying. It is an up and down, left and right or as soundguy put it, fore/aft. Physics wasn't my best subject in college. That will make my decision about exchanging the engines simpler. I'm probably going to just put my loader on this tractor. Love the third to reverse.

Thanks again:

Clay
 

[showcrop]

Hard to understand condemning the 800 that you have without at least pulling the head.
 

[Royse]