64 Ford 4000

[Doc in WV]

Ultra and all

Looking at a 64 Ford 4000,50 H.P. Gaser.

Any special problems to look for other than usual? Veg question I know! Live power,5speed,power steering. Any special way to check steering? Thanks in advance....

Doc

 

[Ultradog MN]

Hi Doc,
Heck you're asking the wrong guy about those 4 cyl tractors. Get awhtx, Soundguy, john Bud or a bunch of others who are better at them than me.
Just look for the usual I'd say. Tires, tin, blow by, Knocks? oil pressure? leaks? Smoke?Water in the oil, oil in the water. Brakes work good and oil not leaking from the brake drums?Does the lift work good - smooth, hold an impliment up after you shut the engine off? No chatter, no noise? Maybe you could put it on a bush hog and mow hard with it to check the PTO clutch as they are expensive to renew.
Also you need to check the gears in the tranny to insure they stay engaged. The 5 speeds do have a problem jumping out of gear but others here can better tell you how to check it and which gears are most suseptable.
The PS usually either works and stays working or doesn't work at all. Check the side cylinders for leakage as they are pricey. Pumps are too but generally go for a long time.
The truth is I'm more familiar with the 3 cyl tractors but the things I've described apply to most of these Fords.
That model is a great tractor though, easy to get parts new and used, pretty much bullet proof machine.
More like 43-45 hp though.
What is the asking price on it? Don't be shy.
Folks here will tell you prices in their part of the country so you can better judge if that one is in the zone or not.

 

[Doc in WV]

Thanks Ultra
4,500 New paint,which covers a lot!!
Wanted to look it over real close. Guy calls me back yesterday and tells me its sold. He had a price on it as 5,500 and when I called he told me it 4500, smelled a rat somewhere!

 

[Ultradog MN]

I've never been toooo particular about the paint on mine. And if I were buying, I would much rather buy one that was clean and straight - even if it had somewhat faded paint. I'm just a little suspicious of fresh paint as it's just too easy to hide a lot of flaws like dents, rust, leaks - even cracks and welds - with some glossy paint.
One thing I look at on a freshly painted tractor is what all HAS been painted. If all the wires, distributer, hoses, carb, etc have been painted I tend to think someone got ahold of it and did a Dupont restoration on it.
If I can see that those items were removed before painting or at least taped off I tend to trust it more.
$4500 is about tops in this area for a good clean 4 cylinder. I see people asking more but their ads get renewed for months sometimes so I know they are not selling at that price.
I don't know your preferences or your budget here but if I had $5500 to spend on a tractor I would consider a 3 cyl 4000. Or in the $4-$4500 range you could buy a Very nice 3000.
They do not have the iconic appeal of the older models but I do think each model Ford built was better than the last.
A 3000 would alll-most do the work of a 4 cyl 4000 and a 3 cyl 4000 would run circles around one. Either of them in a diesel would do it on significantly less fuel. Those 801/4000 172 engines are known to be rather thirsty - at least the gassers are.
This is not to put down the 4 cyls though. They ARE great tractors.

 

[john_Bud]

I guess you found out that 5 speed live with PS is about the most desirable version -- what to watch out for? They get sold pretty quick!

For "next time", if they have a front loader, you have to look at the condition of the spindles. They wear and can break. Then the normal things like compression, blowby, smoke, drips, rattles, etc. There are few areas that are BAD. The 5 speeds are very often turned into 2 gear machines as 3-R are what is used the most. That means some extra wear there.

Then the great live pto means they have an expensive clutch. Swapping parts out is 3-4x more money on them than the single disc units. Still not bad.

I prefer the diesel versions as they use fuel at about 1/2 the rate as the gasers. But they don't start well without being plugged in at temps below about 40F. No biggie if you park near a plug, but if not you can have issues.

 

[awhtx]

Here's basically the same tractor without PS for $1000 less (asking price). I bet $3000 would buy it.
861

 

[Doc in WV]

Thanks to all!

Still Looking and will have more questions for you guys before I make any big leaps.

Doc