The search for a replacement begins

[Tim M.]

As you may have seen from Sundays post I blew a rod through the block of my 9N. I've been making some calls and researching my options. One old friend that I called said he had a good running 2N and an 8N with a bad trans, $1500 for the 2N, 8N price was not discussed. Thought the 8N to be my best bet. Guy said its "out in the back feild covered by a tarp"

Well as it turns out it's a Ford 801 with Selecto speed trans. Not sure what I'm going to do, the 801 would serve my needs better but the selecto speed trans scare the Help out of me. WHat are the pros & cons to this tractor? Engine is "strong" could this trans be repaired easily or replaced with a standard trans?

 

[old]

The SOS trannys are one of 2 ways. They work good or there a money pit. Last I heard cost to fix one of the SOS trannys where up around $2500 plus. As for a tranny swap yes it can be done but that also means having parts from the bell housing back so basically all that 801 is it an engine nothing more. That said some love the SOS and some hate them me I do not know yet but will either learn to like or hate them soon since we have one coming in if it ever cools off enough to be able to go get it and the other 3 tractors

 

[G6 at Snook, TX]

Did th owner of that 801 mention how long it has sat out in the weather? Aside from the transmission, of which I know nothing, I would be leery of a piece of equipment that has sat outside for an extended period of time. Those left outside can be made to run and work well, but I would look hard at her for rot and decay.

 

[souNdguy]

wow.. already know it has a bad trans... I think I'd pass on that one. I'd either be looking for another cheap N ( maybee you found one already.. the 2n ).. or a running N with a bad trans / rear end.. so you could steal the engine from it.. or a cheap 00/01 series.

soundguy

 

[Jeff-oh]

I guess he could also get the 801 and prat out the good pieces of the transmission to help other keep their tractors running and use the proceeds to rplace the tractor.

 

[Bob Harvey]

Check out John Smith's site and find his SOS lawnmower.

 

[Dean]

How do you (or the old friend) know that it has a "bad trans?"

Dean

 

[Dean]

How do you (or the old friend) know that it has a "bad trans?"

Dean

 

[Tim M.]

I'm not sure how long it has set, I'm guessing a few years. I did find out the a SOS trans rebuild worst case senario is about $2,000 and goes up from there, granted it could be something simple and be couple hundred. The same place (meyerstown PA i think it was) said to convert it to a 5 speed it would be around $1750. I can get the tractor for $1200 or less. owner thinks it may just need replacment cables for the shifter. I may make an offer contigent on me getting in running and moving. Unless I can get it down to the $500-700 range. I'm gonna check with John Smiths site for more info and ideas.

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 18:31:22 08/10/10) I'm not sure how long it has set, I'm guessing a few years. I did find out the a SOS trans rebuild worst case senario is about $2,000 and goes up from there, granted it could be something simple and be couple hundred. The same place (meyerstown PA i think it was) said to convert it to a 5 speed it would be around $1750. I can get the tractor for $1200 or less. owner thinks it may just need replacment cables for the shifter. I may make an offer contigent on me getting in running and moving. Unless I can get it down to the $500-700 range. I'm gonna check with John Smiths site for more info and ideas.

Having sat atop a Seleto-Speed 871D in my youth I can only say you can't even begin to imagine how nice they are when they work. I'd think long and hard about spending a lot of money to replace it with a 5 speed rather than repair it. That said - there are lots of great tractors out there for $3500 that you can put to work immediately and many of them are not Fords.

TOH

 

[Dean]

It's a non functional parts tractor worth somewhere between $500-$1500, depending upon options.

I do not know how someone can make an offer "contingent on ...getting it running and moving."

That said, it does not look like it has been sitting very long, nor does it look to be in bad shape aside from its non functionality.

Dean

 

[awhtx]

There was a complete X6X (5 speed, Live PTO) changeover (flywheel, clutch, trans) on Fleabay a month or so ago with an opening bid of about $500 and no Reserve and there was not a single bid placed on it so I would say Wenger's is asking about 3 times too much for their 5 speed.

 

[Plane Bart]

Tim what area are you in I need a 9N parts tractor found a running one for $800 I need a rear end houseing broke my top link on mine.
I am in VA Fredericksburg area.
Would you want to split cost? if you are anywhere near me?

 

[high pockets]

For a decent price (decent being a relative term I know) I'd love to have that tractor to give a go at fixing up. My granpa on my mother's side had one when I was a youngster and I enjoyed tootling around the fields on it when I was allowed.
It would compliment the '40 9N I have that belonged to my granpa on my father's side too. :lol:

 

[Ultradog MN]

Upgrading to a Hundred Series would be my suggestion. A little more money than an N but a Lot more tractor. Now is a good time to buy as there are a lot of tractors for sale at reduced prices.
I would not buy an SOS that was not running. Period.
Unless it could be had for under $500 and I was willing to part it out. A friend of mine has a complete Hundred Series tranny and rear end for sale here in Minneapolis btw.
And don't despise a Blue Ford if you come across one. The best Ford tractors ever built were Blue.

 

[8N'r--WI]

U.D.---you are certainly right about price...

Last week on fleabay this one had only 4 bids and sold for $1400...

I was going to call and see if you were up for a little road trip :>)

Tim

 

[Tim M.]

Bart, I'm in a Detroit MI suburb, Brighton more specifically.

 

[Tim M.]

Found out some more infor on the 801. The PO to the Current owner was using it in the field and it just stopped moving. I guess it sat there for a few months befor the current owner bought it. Thats all i could find out.

 

[G6 at Snook, TX]

Sounds like you are buying trouble if you get that particular rig. I would move on.

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 21:36:11 08/11/10) Found out some more infor on the 801. The PO to the Current owner was using it in the field and it just stopped moving. I guess it sat there for a few months befor the current owner bought it. Thats all i could find out.

Too bad its in MI - if it were close to me I'd be talking low ball to that fella - clearly a total pig in a poke but not a big $$$ risk if the price is right and lots of potential for someone with time to tinker....

TOH