H overhaul or not...advice

Do I:

1. Locate two servicable sleeves, get me a set of rings and a gasket set and rebuild this engine so it does not smoke but has some wear or

2. Do I go whole hog and get the rebuild kit with new sleeves, pistons, pins, bearings etc.

For alternative #1, it will not be a working tractor, it will be run 2 or 3 times per year, it will be put over in the corner for my wife to sell at the estate sale while I go to the next project. I can accomplish this at minimum costs.
I can make it look good but it will be half a..

Regarding alternative #2, with crank grind, machine work, complete kit, I will probably have $800.00 in the motor(I think) and I will have the internal knowledge that it is "new" and then pull it over in the corner for the estate sale! I can make it look good and be good.

For #1, I could contribute the $600.00 or so saved to the orphanage. or #2, wife could contribute it all to the orphanage later.

I am in a rut here...give me something to think about.

Tw

If it were me, I would buy 2 used servicable sleeves, rings and rod bearings and put it back together. Now by serviceable, I assume that you have measured them and they are at least within a few thousands of min and max measurments.

I have put several Hs and Ms and the like together without going full tilt on the rebuild and have had no issues. These are all tractors that get worked every year on my farm. Any IH tractor prior to 1958 I have found to be very forgiving as far as the tolerances that it can handle and still run perfectly well.

You will also find that a good set of IH forged pistons is probably better than the new pistons that you get today. Also, it doesn't really matter if you put $200 or $800 or $1200 into the engine of that H, at the end of the day it will still be worth about $1,500. So save the extra money from the overkill rebuild and buy another tractor for the ophange when you finish this one.

I'm with Hal on this one.

If you're gonna do it, do it right. Don't re-use the toilet paper because it starts to get real messy, real quick.

Just my opinion,

Allan

It's like us that are non lawyer's, get a good one to start with and you won't need to hire one later. Hal

I re-read this several times and think you meant this as a beautiful, but realistic statement about how we men most times check out of our earthly abode before our womenfolk, leaving them with the task of selling our prized possessions.