Possible project

[johnjk]

Got offered up a tractor this weekend for a “fair price” that I need to determine. It’s a Ford 671 Select O Speed. He last time I saw it run was in the early 90’s. Been barn kept. My understanding is she hasn’t run since 2019 or 20. Fluids look good, rad is new but bone dry, gas tank is bone dry and rust free. Wiring is a mess, intake to carb is off but clear of debris and linkage moves. I need to figure out a number and if I can easily get parts, rebuild kits, etc before I attempt to bring it home. She’s about an hour NW of me and well over the towing capacity of my Ridgeline. 2nd time in 6yrs I need a full sized pickup. It also comes with a disc, back blade and the brush cutter. Trailer is an option too.

 

[Hoserman]

To me, that would be a really cool resto project. There are a lot of old Ford tractors out there and finding parts might not be as hard to get. Here in N. Michigan there are two big tractor shows that have a lot of spare parts for sale in the flea-market section. The machine looks to be in pretty good condition. The old PU truck trailer fixed up and painted to match the tractor would look very cool.

 

[johnjk]

General consensus from old Ford tractor forum is that engine parts are available and reasonably priced. The SOS transmission can be a pain if not working but can be swapped with a 4 speed from a 8N. I have no idea on the frame on that trailer. If it is ok and I get the tractor, I may load it up

 

[Lil Foot]

I would jump on that in a minute-
If I didn't already have so many irons in the fire that I could qualify as a steel mill.

 

[ChiefWebb]

Tires look almost new looking.

 

[jaxs]

Parts are easy to find and reasonably priced. If select-o-speed needs work not many people work on them.

 

[torch]

The old PU truck trailer fixed up and painted to match the tractor would look very cool.

The trailer's a Chevy. Is that combo even allowed?

 

[TheOldHokie]

Got offered up a tractor this weekend for a “fair price” that I need to determine. It’s a Ford 671 Select O Speed. He last time I saw it run was in the early 90’s. Been barn kept. My understanding is she hasn’t run since 2019 or 20. Fluids look good, rad is new but bone dry, gas tank is bone dry and rust free. Wiring is a mess, intake to carb is off but clear of debris and linkage moves. I need to figure out a number and if I can easily get parts, rebuild kits, etc before I attempt to bring it home. She’s about an hour NW of me and well over the towing capacity of my Ridgeline. 2nd time in 6yrs I need a full sized pickup. It also comes with a disc, back blade and the brush cutter. Trailer is an option too.
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The Ford Workmasters are one of my favorite vintage Fords.

The 134 gas engine is reliable, easy to work on and parts are readily available at very affordable prices.

The SOS transmission in the 671 is probably the first real powershift transmission and features 10 ranges and independent PTO. Its just the opposite of the engine. In good working condition its a delight but if not it can be an expensive and frustrating nightmare. That said its the only model that would interest me and thats only because I cut my teeth on its big brother, an 174 CID diesel 871 Powermaster

The hydraulics on the 601 models are crude and suck but they all have draft and position control

Because the SOS is such a pig-in-a-poke they dont sell well. Plus I dont see any sign of the optional factory PS. If the engine runs and all of the gears shift and engage maybe a $2K tractor.

Dan

 

[RCW]

I know virtually nothing about Fords.

Have heard the SOS can be a pain.

Unless pristine, the market for older "project" tractors has declined in recent years.

Bet $2k could buy it with room to spare around here.

 

[johnjk]

Tires look almost new looking.

And they are only flat on the bottom!

 

[TheOldHokie]

I know virtually nothing about Fords.

Have heard the SOS can be a pain.

Unless pristine, the market for older "project" tractors has declined in recent years.

The early 1958 'SOS transmission was designed by Harold Brock, rushed to market over his objections, and had reliability issues. Follow on models were much more reliable and used in many later Ford tractors.

After the initial SOS release Brock left Ford and went to JD where he dedigned thier first powershift.

Dan

 

[johnjk]

I know virtually nothing about Fords.

Have heard the SOS can be a pain.

Unless pristine, the market for older "project" tractors has declined in recent years.

Bet $2k could buy it with room to spare around here.

I would not be looking to sell it. Part of the deal is to try and get it running so her grandkids can ride on their great grandpa’s tractor that he used on the homestead.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I would not be looking to sell it. Part of the deal is to try and get it running so her grandkids can ride on their great grandpa’s tractor that he used on the homestead.

A laudable goal.

Dan

 

[RCW]

John - - have heard the engines of the era were bullet-proof. Lot of them 'round these parts.

Obviously Dan knows a lot about them.

Like Dan said - - getting it operable so the great-grandchildren can ride is a very worthy project.....kinda neat.

 

[TheOldHokie]

John - - have heard the engines of the era were bullet-proof. Lot of them 'round these parts.

Obviously Dan knows a lot about them.

Like Dan said - - getting it operable so the great-grandchildren can ride is a very worthy project.....kinda neat.

My knowledge of the SOS is pretty much limited to a little history and the use of the column mounted shifter and "quaint" inching pedal. I can also say the 871 SOS I used took all the abuse a lead footed 16 year old can hand out over the course of a summer.

Dan

 

[hedgerow]

Got offered up a tractor this weekend for a “fair price” that I need to determine. It’s a Ford 671 Select O Speed. He last time I saw it run was in the early 90’s. Been barn kept. My understanding is she hasn’t run since 2019 or 20. Fluids look good, rad is new but bone dry, gas tank is bone dry and rust free. Wiring is a mess, intake to carb is off but clear of debris and linkage moves. I need to figure out a number and if I can easily get parts, rebuild kits, etc before I attempt to bring it home. She’s about an hour NW of me and well over the towing capacity of my Ridgeline. 2nd time in 6yrs I need a full sized pickup. It also comes with a disc, back blade and the brush cutter. Trailer is an option too.
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The first thing I would do before I even tried to start it would be drain the SOS and look at the oil. If the oil is bad colored I would stay away from it unless your looking for a project to switch over to a manual trans. Those SOS were great when they worked. The last one I rebuilt was thirty years ago and parts were hard to get back then. I switched one over to a 5 speed two stage clutch twenty years ago and by the time it was done he should have just bought a different tractor and been done with it but his grand father had bought it new.

 

[johnjk]

The oil in the tranny and engine looks great. Nice color and clear BUT is that because all garbage precipitated out in the last 12 years she sat? I gave my wife’s aunt my offer and we’ll see what happens.

 

[TheOldHokie]

The oil in the tranny and engine looks great. Nice color and clear BUT is that because all garbage precipitated out in the last 12 years she sat? I gave my wife’s aunt my offer and we’ll see what happens.

I would nof judge the transmission by the look of the oil. You need to actually test drive it.

Dan

 

[Hoserman]

The trailer's a Chevy. Is that combo even allowed?

In my world it is. Go for it.

 

[johnjk]

Well I made an offer based on my research of a non runner with an unknown transmission. They are emotionally attached and want over 4x my offer. They look at it and see their father and grandfather driving it and riding on it as a child with them. I see a machine that has not run in 13 yrs, an unknown transmission with no way to diagnose before buying or fix if bad and hours of work to extract from a barn. They having other interested people look at it and we all are going to lunch and talking about family and days past on Saturday. It’s never easy buying things from family.