Ford 850 manuals?

[Belcain]

I just got a 1955 Ford 850 with loader (my first tractor). There are some parts that I need right away and some other maint that I"d like to take care of on the tractor before I really use it.
I"m wondering what manuals are best for this tractor. I ordered the I&T service manual (dont have it yet) but have heard they might not be the best. Should I get a user manual for fluid fill levels etc?
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Also the tractor appears to be missing a grommet or something on the right side near the bottom just behind and above the oil pan. Looks like its maybe near the flywheel or something. Its a hole about 1" thats open but not threaded. I dont have a manual to know what should be there and I dont want to run the tractor like that but thats the only thing that I"m worried about ASAP since dirt could get in there.

Thanks

 

[GlenIdaho]

Congratulations on your purchase. The mauals I have found most useful are the Ford Shop Manual, Master Parts Catalog and the Owner's Manual. I also have the IT manual, but prefer the Ford Shop Manual. The Shop Manual will tell you how to work on your tractor, the Parts Catalog has great diagrams of the parts groups, how things go together and will familiarize you with the proper part names. The Owner's Manual will acquaint you with the operation of the various features of you tarctor. Try to determine what loader you have as there will probably be a manual for it also.

You can purchase the manual from this site or find Faxon Automobile Publications on the net. I believe they offer all three at a good price. As a word of caution, some reproductions are of poor quality so go with a reputable provider.

It sounds like the hole you are talking about is the timing access. If you see the flywheel, that is what it is. It is supposed to have a cover over the hole. I don't think I have seen one aftermarket, so someone might have an extra or you can check with a salvage yard. Or, if you are hand with sheet metal you can make one pretty easy. Hope this helps.

 

[NWMO 901 SOS]

(quoted from post at 14:43:15 08/04/09) I just got a 1955 Ford 850 with loader (my first tractor). There are some parts that I need right away and some other maint that I"d like to take care of on the tractor before I really use it.
I"m wondering what manuals are best for this tractor. I ordered the I&T service manual (dont have it yet) but have heard they might not be the best. Should I get a user manual for fluid fill levels etc?
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Also the tractor appears to be missing a grommet or something on the right side near the bottom just behind and above the oil pan. Looks like its maybe near the flywheel or something. Its a hole about 1" thats open but not threaded. I dont have a manual to know what should be there and I dont want to run the tractor like that but thats the only thing that I"m worried about ASAP since dirt could get in there.

Thanks

Belcain,

The I&T is good to have, but I prefer the Ford shop manual. You can usually find decent reprints for less than $50. I purchased a Faxon reprint off ebay. As for the hole you are describing, that is the inspection port used to set the timing, you should be looking at the flywheel. It is typically covered by a flat piece of steel (shaped like a flat spoon) that rotates on the bolt nearest the inspection port. Congrats and have fun.

P.S. - To better define your tractor you should be able to locate the model # and serial # on a flat spot just aft and above the starter. If it's a diesel they may have been corroded by battery acid, but you can usually find them on the gassers.

Chris

 

[Mike Hodgins]

Ditto to what these experts have said.

I am definitely not a mechanic but can't begin to tell you how much I've figured out on my own by buying the master parts catalog and the Ford shop manual. Great investments.

Good luck.

 

[GlenIdaho]

Here's a link to some manual info I just ran into.
Manuals

 

[Belcain]

Thanks to you all and Glen for this find!

I'll order these for sure.
Guess I should consider ebay more now that I'll be needing 'stuff' for the tractor.

 

[souNdguy]

I like the i&t manual and the master parts catalog.. good for most basic repairs.

soundguy

 

[Belcain]

Thanks everybody
My first post was most helpful
I'm looking forward to learning a lot on here.

I'm going to cut a piece of sheet metal tomorrow to cover that flywheel timing hole.
Thats a nice easy fix. I like that.