Welcome again to Sho-me Your Wheels. This post is about my early experiences at tractor restoration. In the late sixties, I was living in western Iowa, I purchased a model C Case, 1937 or 38. It was headed for the scrap pile but I just could not let that happen to what was once a faithful old tractor. The engine was stuck, the fenders were missing and the rear rims were rusted out but I could see a lot of potential so I enlisted my brother’s help and we dragged it home. I think we slid the wheels half way trying to break the engine lose but to no avail.
I removed the head and what a mess. I filled the cylinders with kerosene and let set for a while and several weeks later put a pipe wrench to the crank and it turned over but the head was beyond repair so it was replaced. When the engine was back together and the magneto cleaned and new points it refused to start so one evening a friend was over and I had him crank while I checked for spark. Having someone else on the crank must have made the difference, it sparked alright, right through the insulation on the new wires.
I found a set of fenders and a set of original decals, painted it gray and headed for the nearest show. We arrived the evening before and it rained during the night. They had us line up as we arrived so the next day everything was in line for the parade. We were told to start our engines, when I turned the crank it fired backwards and flipped me back to a sitting position, I was a little embarrassed but it was a real crowd pleaser. I must not of had a good seal on the magneto cap and a little water found it’s way in, after drying it out it ran ok.
I later sold the C and my brother and I bought a 1938 model RC which I took to Wyoming in 1978 after his death in 1977. I had moved to Wyoming from Iowa in 1970 and when I moved to the Ozarks in 2004 I moved it to. The old RC has seen some country.
I now own twelve Case tractors and a 2N Ford, most of the tractors I moved here from Wyoming. I still have a VAC and a lot of other stuff to move. Every time I go to Wyoming to see my Mother and Brother I take a flatbed gooseneck and bring another load of fine used equipment back. When the Lord takes me home to help him my wife will have a sale worth attending, I may not even be cold in the ground when it takes place.
I would like to hear your vehicle experiences. Feel free to comment or to email me at the contact information on the About Page. Thanks for reading mine. Richard
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I own a 1938 Case also. check out my story..
Thanks for your comment and the information about your tractor. I enjoyed the pictures.