I posted a while back that I had picked up a non-running '41 9N that had no compression. I checked with a compression gauge both dry and wet and very light compression. I pulled the valve cover and manifold to check the valves. When I spin the motor over a very slight puff is heard from the exhaust valves so it has a very tiny bit of compression. I compressed air into the each spark plug and don't hear any coming from the valves so I think they are seating ok. I pulled the head and don't see any major issues with cylinders. Meaning I didn't see any cracks or anything like that. I have soak the rings for days and multiple times and didn't get any change in the compression. When I took the head off, I put MM oil in each cylinder and covered the entire piston. Within 15mins, it had all drained through the cylinder.
So my dilemma is if I want to tear the motor down and rebuild. I got a couple implements with the tractor and have sold one which basically covered what I paid for the tractor. The other implements I use on a regular basis. I figure I am at ground zero as far as investment in this tractor. Were I am in MD, a 9n/8n can go from a conservative $1000 to a high side of $1500. There are exceptions of course, but that is the general amount. I figure I will spend an easy 300 to maybe 500 on the rebuild of the motor. I can do most of it myself and worked at a machine shop to get through college and a while after so I have some help in that regard as well.
I am trying to decide if I should just part this tractor out and if I did, could I get 800 in parts which is what I figured I would net if I invested in the motor and sold the tractor as a running tractor. This tractor was very well maintained before I got it. The PO had maintenance receipts for years. The sheet metal is in excellent shape (way better then my 8N) and the tires and rims are also excellent. It has replacement loop rims that have no signs of rust. The PO told me the hydraulics worked fine although I have not been able to test them myself. He was honest about everything else, so I have no reason to believe that the hydraulics do not work. Everything on this tractor looks to be in great shape except the compression.
What are your thoughts on how much the tires rims, sheet metal etc would be worth for this tractor? Part of me doesn't want to part it out because I will still be left with something to take to the scrap yard. But like many here, I am trying to balance my time and work to invest in a tractor that I am ultimately planning to sell anyway. I don't need a second N tractor. If I could get close to what I would net for the tractor if I fixed it, I would strongly consider parting it out. Just not sure of the value of some of the parts to people.
So my dilemma is if I want to tear the motor down and rebuild. I got a couple implements with the tractor and have sold one which basically covered what I paid for the tractor. The other implements I use on a regular basis. I figure I am at ground zero as far as investment in this tractor. Were I am in MD, a 9n/8n can go from a conservative $1000 to a high side of $1500. There are exceptions of course, but that is the general amount. I figure I will spend an easy 300 to maybe 500 on the rebuild of the motor. I can do most of it myself and worked at a machine shop to get through college and a while after so I have some help in that regard as well.
I am trying to decide if I should just part this tractor out and if I did, could I get 800 in parts which is what I figured I would net if I invested in the motor and sold the tractor as a running tractor. This tractor was very well maintained before I got it. The PO had maintenance receipts for years. The sheet metal is in excellent shape (way better then my 8N) and the tires and rims are also excellent. It has replacement loop rims that have no signs of rust. The PO told me the hydraulics worked fine although I have not been able to test them myself. He was honest about everything else, so I have no reason to believe that the hydraulics do not work. Everything on this tractor looks to be in great shape except the compression.
What are your thoughts on how much the tires rims, sheet metal etc would be worth for this tractor? Part of me doesn't want to part it out because I will still be left with something to take to the scrap yard. But like many here, I am trying to balance my time and work to invest in a tractor that I am ultimately planning to sell anyway. I don't need a second N tractor. If I could get close to what I would net for the tractor if I fixed it, I would strongly consider parting it out. Just not sure of the value of some of the parts to people.
