Amateur's Restoration Project

[Nabil-Ignatious]

Me and my friends are regular volunteers at our local museum. "Preserved" there is a J.I Case VA "Orchid Model" Tractor, used in the hey-day of Southern California citrus ranching. Two weeks ago one of our chores was to move the tractor 10 feet backward to make room for some new merchandise (For those curious, all 8 of us utterly failed in this task, the bearings where shot and the gearbox was rusted shut into parking). It started a desire, however, for us to repair the tractor to operation condition, as a fun project and a excellent extracurricular for collages. Funnily enough, none of us are tractor or even motoring enthusiast. Closest we get is a railway enthusiast (me) and another friend who loves airplanes. Only two of us actually have a license. Still, we're eager, organized, and appreciate the tractor's classic styling. So that gets us to the main question; While we have secured some sources for cash, I know from being a railway enthusiast magazines and YouTube channels often prompt restoration projects. Is there anything similar for this? Also, could anyone identify the production year or provide a parts list? Any other general advice would be helpful (Again, amateurs)

 

[bradley martin]

Me and my friends are regular volunteers at our local museum. "Preserved" there is a J.I Case VA "Orchid Model" Tractor, used in the hey-day of Southern California citrus ranching. Two weeks ago one of our chores was to move the tractor 10 feet backward to make room for some new merchandise (For those curious, all 8 of us utterly failed in this task, the bearings where shot and the gearbox was rusted shut into parking). It started a desire, however, for us to repair the tractor to operation condition, as a fun project and a excellent extracurricular for collages. Funnily enough, none of us are tractor or even motoring enthusiast. Closest we get is a railway enthusiast (me) and another friend who loves airplanes. Only two of us actually have a license. Still, we're eager, organized, and appreciate the tractor's classic styling. So that gets us to the main question; While we have secured some sources for cash, I know from being a railway enthusiast magazines and YouTube channels often prompt restoration projects. Is there anything similar for this? Also, could anyone identify the production year or provide a parts list? Any other general advice would be helpful

Built 1947.

 

[JOCCO]

Don't understand all of your post, what license? There are online resources and Old Abes News magazine. The tractor should be based on a v or vac etc.

 

[560Dennis]

Best I can say is for new people to get books to read on restoration of a tractor like that.
After the group (museum) people outline the project.
Format the budget.
I find projects cost three times the original budget concept. And they take 4 or five times longer to complete.
Just being honest! You got to get operators manuals (reproduction of operators ) . So very helpful .

 

[4wdtom]

Me and my friends are regular volunteers at our local museum. "Preserved" there is a J.I Case VA "Orchid Model" Tractor, used in the hey-day of Southern California citrus ranching. Two weeks ago one of our chores was to move the tractor 10 feet backward to make room for some new merchandise (For those curious, all 8 of us utterly failed in this task, the bearings where shot and the gearbox was rusted shut into parking). It started a desire, however, for us to repair the tractor to operation condition, as a fun project and a excellent extracurricular for collages. Funnily enough, none of us are tractor or even motoring enthusiast. Closest we get is a railway enthusiast (me) and another friend who loves airplanes. Only two of us actually have a license. Still, we're eager, organized, and appreciate the tractor's classic styling. So that gets us to the main question; While we have secured some sources for cash, I know from being a railway enthusiast magazines and YouTube channels often prompt restoration projects. Is there anything similar for this? Also, could anyone identify the production year or provide a parts list? Any other general advice would be helpful (Again, amateurs)

This will be quite a project. From what you say you will need to go thorough the transmission/rear end and likely the engine. It will probably cost some thousands of dollars for parts and some machine shop work. Most likely you will be looking for some used parts as new may not be available in some cases. There are tractor salvage yards, (junk yards). The first thing to do is purchase a set of manuals which are probably available from this site or other sources. Operator manual, repair or service manual, and parts manual. Get all three if you can find them. You will likely end up taking the tractor completely apart and putting it back together. This can be done component at a time. And you will need a place to work and a way to handle the heavy parts of the tractor and support the tractor as it is taken apart and reassembled. Try and fine someone who has done this to a tractor to at least advise, if not help, as you go along if you can.

 

[Dave BN]

There will be antique tractor clubs In your area. Attend some of the meetings, they will welcome you I'm sure. Ask for Case collectors in those clubs and attend their shows. I'll bet you will enjoy the shows and learn a lot. I find parts manuals the most helpful as they have exploded views of the assembly and part numbers. Operators manual and service manual are a must also. This site will be very helpful also.
Enjoy your project.
Dave

 

[M-MAN]

Don't understand all of your post, what license? There are online resources and Old Abes News magazine. The tractor should be based on a v or vac etc.

Sounds like they are a group of young folks. Probably drivers license.

To the OP, first determine what is stuck and address that. No new parts until you figure out most of what you'll need.

 

[showcrop]

When I was planning my first project it was way before internet. I had subscribed to a very worthwhile publication called Antique power. Through that magazine I found and ordered a few books that were overviews of restoring/working on tractors in general, as well as some specific to my brands. These gave me a good basic overview and knowledge to enable me to jump off to specifics.

 

[caterpillar guy]

All information is good you have gotten.I would probably start with the rearend and then look at the transmission. If all you want it to do is run well then you can use a lot of less than great parts for that and still not notice as you will not be using it 8-12 hours a day so if it starts and runs to move will work for you . don't need a 3000.00 overhaul to set in a shed and run to move in or out of the door to make room for more things. Bearings and seals will be the order of the day for rearend and transmission as needed. again not using it daily for a dependable tractor.

 

[used red MN]

Hello Nabil.. welcome to YT! The brakes have probably rusted and locked preventing the rear wheels from turning. I am attaching a link to the manufacturer’s online parts catalog for the Case VA series tractor which is the basic tractor your machine is based on. Go to functional group Power Train and diagram 074 for the brakes. There is a brake unit on each side one per rear wheel off the main housing in front of where the axles bolt on to the main housing. When you open the link and it ask to select a dealer I would just X out of that. The parts catalog is mostly for the diagrams, the majority of the parts are not available from the dealer. More later. CNHI Case VA tractor parts catalog

 

[Rich'sToys]

I think Cat Guy nailed it. If it's primarily a display piece, just concentrate for now on getting it running and moving. Later on, you can always do more if you like.

 

[jon f mn]

I would post this down on the case forum, many folks there with the knowledge you will need for this project. I see some things on there that don't make sense to me, but I'm not an expert on the vac model. That serial number makes it a 47 as said, but that live hydraulic pump suggests newer. Also looks like an eagle hitch on back which would make it a 50 or newer. I would love to see a pic of the rear. Either way it is a very collectable tractor and worth saving. As to the locked wheels the first place to look is the brakes for being rusted and stuck.

 

[4wdtom]

This will be quite a project. From what you say you will need to go thorough the transmission/rear end and likely the engine. It will probably cost some thousands of dollars for parts and some machine shop work. Most likely you will be looking for some used parts as new may not be available in some cases. There are tractor salvage yards, (junk yards). The first thing to do is purchase a set of manuals which are probably available from this site or other sources. Operator manual, repair or service manual, and parts manual. Get all three if you can find them. You will likely end up taking the tractor completely apart and putting it back together. This can be done component at a time. And you will need a place to work and a way to handle the heavy parts of the tractor and support the tractor as it is taken apart and reassembled. Try and fine someone who has done this to a tractor to at least advise, if not help, as you go along if you can.

After thinking about this for a bit some additional thoughts. First unless water got into the transmission it likely isn't rusted solid. Water usually gets into a transmission down a shift lever if the boot is cracked or missing. Some don't have rubber boots so this is less likely to happen. Some water in a transmission usually won't kill kit if there is also oil. Check the brakes to see if t hey are rusted and won't allow the drums to turn. Was the tractor in neutral when you tried to move it? Many folks are not familiar with manual transmissions now and did you guys forget to make sure it was in neutral before trying to move it? Many times there is a cover or part you can remove with little trouble that will allow you to look into the transmission and inspect it. Is the engine stuck? Stuck engines can often be freed and will run fine but sometimes there is extensive rust if water got down the exhaust and into a cylinder.
As you go along keep us informed, always interested in such projects as are others here.

 

[super99]

As Jon says, take the brakes apart first to be sure they aren’t stuck. You can get a cheap bore scope that works with your phone, remove spark plugs and look in the cylinders to see how bad they look and then fill cylinders with ATF and diesel fuel mix and let it soak for a few weeks. Mark the spark plug wires so you don’t mix them up.

 

[ss55]

Me and my friends are regular volunteers at our local museum. "Preserved" there is a J.I Case VA "Orchid Model" Tractor, used in the hey-day of Southern California citrus ranching. Two weeks ago one of our chores was to move the tractor 10 feet backward to make room for some new merchandise (For those curious, all 8 of us utterly failed in this task, the bearings where shot and the gearbox was rusted shut into parking). It started a desire, however, for us to repair the tractor to operation condition, as a fun project and a excellent extracurricular for collages. Funnily enough, none of us are tractor or even motoring enthusiast. Closest we get is a railway enthusiast (me) and another friend who loves airplanes. Only two of us actually have a license. Still, we're eager, organized, and appreciate the tractor's classic styling. So that gets us to the main question; While we have secured some sources for cash, I know from being a railway enthusiast magazines and YouTube channels often prompt restoration projects. Is there anything similar for this? Also, could anyone identify the production year or provide a parts list? Any other general advice would be helpful (Again, amateurs)

Me and my friends are regular volunteers at our local museum. "Preserved" there is a J.I Case VA "Orchid Model" Tractor, used in the hey-day of Southern California citrus ranching. Two weeks ago one of our chores was to move the tractor 10 feet backward to make room for some new merchandise (For those curious, all 8 of us utterly failed in this task, the bearings where shot and the gearbox was rusted shut into parking). It started a desire, however, for us to repair the tractor to operation condition, as a fun project and a excellent extracurricular for collages. Funnily enough, none of us are tractor or even motoring enthusiast. Closest we get is a railway enthusiast (me) and another friend who loves airplanes. Only two of us actually have a license. Still, we're eager, organized, and appreciate the tractor's classic styling. So that gets us to the main question; While we have secured some sources for cash, I know from being a railway enthusiast magazines and YouTube channels often prompt restoration projects. Is there anything similar for this? Also, could anyone identify the production year or provide a parts list? Any other general advice would be helpful (Again, amateurs)

The suggestions to work with some of your local tractor collector clubs sounds like a great idea. Their members have more expertise on old tractors and might be willing to donate some of their time to help you with this project. Until you can actually line up enough people and funds to do the whole restoration, maybe fix it in small steps would avoid over-relying on any single volunteer. Getting it rolling again and evaluating its condition is a great place to start. An Operators Manual and Factory Service Manual will also help a lot, click the YT Tractor Manuals tab above or try ebay, YT sells parts too.

If it is too far gone consider making it a static display for a while and postpone a full restoration until you have a plan and a budget. Now-a-days it can easily costs several times more for the parts to restore a tractor in very poor condition than it cost to buy one already restored or in field ready condition. Work with your museum curator or board of directors.

 

[used red MN]

More later.

Check your Private Messages by the envelope or letter icon at above right.

 

[Nabil-Ignatious]

Thanks to everyone who responded! Great advice all of it. Had a busy week, so sorry for the late response.
Thanks to the diagrams a kind gentlemen provided, we're going to get a full list of all parts missing. So far we know the spark plug, belt, grille, and bearings all need replacing, with a lot of near-death engine parts like the radiator. Time and man power should not be a concern, I estimated and assuming very light volunteering we can still get about 20 hours of work per week across 3 months. The main issue still lies with getting the parts. Our Chamber of Commerce recently introduced a pro-Non profit stance, and we're hoping to get some parts and cash from motor shops in exchange for a write-off. The idea of a partial-restoration is not a bad one, and probably what we'll go for. There's not a lot of tractor clubs in our area, but I did reach out to our local Model A branch as well as contact the Steam & Diesel museum at Vista. I hadn't even considered the breaks being rusted shut, so I'll have to check that out soonest chance I get. The tractor had been left outside for something like 30 years, only recently moved after its previous field flooded, so the possibility is very real. I'm also going to try and get my hands on some books.

Thanks to the very warm reception, this is my first time getting my hands on anything mechanic and this has been greatly helpful!

 

[ss55]

Thanks to everyone who responded! Great advice all of it. Had a busy week, so sorry for the late response.
Thanks to the diagrams a kind gentlemen provided, we're going to get a full list of all parts missing. So far we know the spark plug, belt, grille, and bearings all need replacing, with a lot of near-death engine parts like the radiator. Time and man power should not be a concern, I estimated and assuming very light volunteering we can still get about 20 hours of work per week across 3 months. The main issue still lies with getting the parts. Our Chamber of Commerce recently introduced a pro-Non profit stance, and we're hoping to get some parts and cash from motor shops in exchange for a write-off. The idea of a partial-restoration is not a bad one, and probably what we'll go for. There's not a lot of tractor clubs in our area, but I did reach out to our local Model A branch as well as contact the Steam & Diesel museum at Vista. I hadn't even considered the breaks being rusted shut, so I'll have to check that out soonest chance I get. The tractor had been left outside for something like 30 years, only recently moved after its previous field flooded, so the possibility is very real. I'm also going to try and get my hands on some books.

Thanks to the very warm reception, this is my first time getting my hands on anything mechanic and this has been greatly helpful!

I hadn't even considered the breaks being rusted shut, so I'll have to check that out soonest chance I get. The tractor had been left outside for something like 30 years, only recently moved after its previous field flooded, so the possibility is very real.

Yikes! Flood victims and fire victims usually require more work than a regular restoration. If the tractor was submerged in flood water expect to find very fine silt, moisture and rust inside everything that was under water. The condition of the brakes will be a good indicator of the condition of the rest of the tractor. Orchard tractors are still fairly rare though and a nice item for a museum.