My 1949 Farmall C Restoration Progress Thread

Faster346 · Nov 8, 2010

This board seems more technical, for questions and informations rather than pictures, but who doesn't like to see progress? I figured I'd put together a thread here for my Farmall C as I get closer to having it done. I bought it about 4 months ago, and boy was it rusty. I like work clothes, but I like clean and shiney better. This is the third Farmall that I have restored. The first two being an H, and an M.

I took the tractor to my work, to put it in one of the small garages in the shop to work on after work. Here it is after I unloaded it there.

The next day it was time for a degreasing and powerwashing.

Then became time for the tear down, to get to the grease that the powerwasher couldn't reach.

And after some scraping and grinding.

And eventually after grinding and scraping for a hour or so after work each night for a week or so, it was ready for paint.

Faster346 · Nov 8, 2010

And then tonight, I got the radiator done, and back on, and got the rear wheels painted, as well as the rims. Going to go get some stainless nuts and washers for them tomorrow so I can bolt them down and take it off jackstands, so I can do the fronts. Next project is to replace the seals in the Touch Control unit, so I can paint it and then it will all be ready for reassembley.

Faster346 · Nov 8, 2010

Double Post..oops

Mike CA · Nov 9, 2010

Lookin good!

Anonymous-0 · Nov 9, 2010

Nice 3pt and all, you may wish you did not paint the axles though. Hard enough to slide wheels without paint if you need to. We had a 'C' and always wished it had the power of a Super 'C' then it would have been great.

ste_fano · Nov 9, 2010

Thanks for the pics. Gives me inspiration to work on my projects. Steve

Faster346 · Nov 9, 2010

(quoted from post at 10:34:27 11/09/10) Nice 3pt and all, you may wish you did not paint the axles though. Hard enough to slide wheels without paint if you need to. We had a 'C' and always wished it had the power of a Super 'C' then it would have been great.

Thanks! I've painted the axles on all of my restorations, because I simply think it looks nicer than the factory unpainted axle. I have no need for moving the wheels in or out on my tractors, so I paint them where they sit. I've never really noticed a difference power wise between the C and Super C, though the fast hitch always comes in handy with the Super C.

Farmallhal · Nov 9, 2010

Thanks for the pictures and I just relived part of my recent restoration on my Super C fast hitch tractor. You certainly did a good prep job it appears of the chassis components. A couple of things, I don't know if the seat you have is original or not or even if you care but if you are thinking about an original one Darrel Darst (he advertises in Red Power) does a very nice seat restoration that is as close to original as possible. Another item I had refinished was the steering wheel which Minn-Kota Repair can really make like new if you aren't interested in a reproduction one. Just sharing info and my satisfaction with both of those folks and not being critical in anyway not knowing what you might want in the end.
Question, do you have another fast hitch tractor other then maybe a SC as I'm been wanting a larger FH tractor then my SC and have been thinking of adding something like a 560 or even a 706 fast hitch model to my Farmall collection as I just hate fighting those heavy tillage 3 point implements and really like my fast hitch SC and the ease of hooking up equipment. My email is open if you care to respond off-forum as this wouldn't be a discussion relative to your thread, Hal.

Faster346 · Nov 9, 2010

(quoted from post at 15:29:02 11/09/10) Thanks for the pictures and I just relived part of my recent restoration on my Super C fast hitch tractor. You certainly did a good prep job it appears of the chassis components. A couple of things, I don't know if the seat you have is original or not or even if you care but if you are thinking about an original one Darrel Darst (he advertises in Red Power) does a very nice seat restoration that is as close to original as possible. Another item I had refinished was the steering wheel which Minn-Kota Repair can really make like new if you aren't interested in a reproduction one. Just sharing info and my satisfaction with both of those folks and not being critical in anyway not knowing what you might want in the end.
Question, do you have another fast hitch tractor other then maybe a SC as I'm been wanting a larger FH tractor then my SC and have been thinking of adding something like a 560 or even a 706 fast hitch model to my Farmall collection as I just hate fighting those heavy tillage 3 point implements and really like my fast hitch SC and the ease of hooking up equipment. My email is open if you care to respond off-forum as this wouldn't be a discussion relative to your thread, Hal.

Thanks for the info! I'll probably just keep this seat and toss one of those red/white covers on it. As far as your question, I do not have a larger FH tractor, but like yourself I've been thinking of looking for a bigger one myself.

Devin Arends · Nov 10, 2010

What did you use to grind with? I was using a wire brush on a grinder yesterday but it was really cutting into the soft metal under the gas tank. Leaving gouges and rounding square corners.
Thanks

'49 Farmall H, '46 Farmall H, '39 Farmall A

IH fan · Nov 10, 2010

(quoted from post at 15:20:56 11/09/10) I've never really noticed a difference power wise between the C and Super C, though the fast hitch always comes in handy with the Super C.

Dad had 3 Cs through the years and one Super C. The SC definately had more power, but used almost twice the fuel. I could cultivate corn all day with a C and still have gas... with the SC, Mom would bring a 5 gallon can to the field when she brought lunch or I wouldn't have made it home on one tank.

Farmallhal · Nov 10, 2010

Your post just brought back wonderful moments of my youth back in the 1950's. I too would work the dirt and like your mom she was always concerned about me getting something to eat and drink. She would bring lunch in the old truck which was more often then not an egg sandwich and maybe a piece of cold chicken along with a fresh water jug and cans of gas. When it was hot during the summer I usually worked well into the evenings as it was cooler. Dad worked away from the farm at times and it was Mom and I to take care of cattle, chickens, crops and hay. Mom has been gone for several years now but thanks for the memories, Hal.

IH fan · Nov 10, 2010

(quoted from post at 10:49:50 11/10/10) Your post just brought back wonderful moments of my youth back in the 1950's. I too would work the dirt and like your mom she was always concerned about me getting something to eat and drink. She would bring lunch in the old truck which was more often then not an egg sandwich and maybe a piece of cold chicken along with a fresh water jug and cans of gas. When it was hot during the summer I usually worked well into the evenings as it was cooler. Dad worked away from the farm at times and it was Mom and I to take care of cattle, chickens, crops and hay. Mom has been gone for several years now but thanks for the memories, Hal.

Sounds very familiar... after 1956, Dad worked off the farm and Mom and I did most of the farming. Mom always took care of the chickens (except cleaning the chicken house) and I did most of the rest all through my HS years. Dad would take off work for planting corn, baling hay or combining oats, etc. We only had 100 acres '56 thru '58 when we started renting more farm ground, including 50 acres I rented from the local banker when I was a senior. Dad bought a JD 60 when we took on extra land, so we had it and a Super C. After I left home for the service, my younger brothers could not farm the extra land (they were several years younger than me) so we let it go.

dstates · Nov 11, 2010

Looks great!

Did you spray or rattle can it? If you used a rattle can, what brand did you go with?

Faster346 · Nov 11, 2010

(quoted from post at 11:56:20 11/11/10) Looks great!

Did you spray or rattle can it? If you used a rattle can, what brand did you go with?

Thanks! I rattle canned/brushed the chassis with Tisco IH110, and for the sheet metal I use Valspar Restoration Series IH red. I like the way the Valspar sprays with a gun, but hate their Aresol spray, and vise versa with the Tisco paint.

Faster346 · Nov 11, 2010

(quoted from post at 06:13:23 11/10/10) What did you use to grind with? I was using a wire brush on a grinder yesterday but it was really cutting into the soft metal under the gas tank. Leaving gouges and rounding square corners.
Thanks

'49 Farmall H, '46 Farmall H, '39 Farmall A

I use a little angle head grinder with 36 grit pads to get it down to metal. For bigger stuff I use a DA with pads used accordingly. The angle grinder with a 36 grit pad will round edges if you're not careful. It's a handy little tool for blasting stuff off quick.

Faster346 · Nov 11, 2010

Well it's all just about done, aside from one front wheel, and the sheetmetal. Dad seems to be taking his time on the sheetmetal work. Here's a couple pictures from today.

dstates · Nov 11, 2010

(quoted from post at 16:28:47 11/11/10)

(quoted from post at 11:56:20 11/11/10) Looks great!

Did you spray or rattle can it? If you used a rattle can, what brand did you go with?

Click to expand...

Thanks! I rattle canned/brushed the chassis with Tisco IH110, and for the sheet metal I use Valspar Restoration Series IH red. I like the way the Valspar sprays with a gun, but hate their Aresol spray, and vise versa with the Tisco paint.

It sounds like you've used the Tisco rattle can before. How does it perform in the sun over time? Any fading or chalking?

Looks like you are making great progress!

Faster346 · Nov 11, 2010

(quoted from post at 14:58:17 11/11/10)

(quoted from post at 16:28:47 11/11/10)

(quoted from post at 11:56:20 11/11/10) Looks great!

Did you spray or rattle can it? If you used a rattle can, what brand did you go with?

Click to expand...

Thanks! I rattle canned/brushed the chassis with Tisco IH110, and for the sheet metal I use Valspar Restoration Series IH red. I like the way the Valspar sprays with a gun, but hate their Aresol spray, and vise versa with the Tisco paint.

Click to expand...

It sounds like you've used the Tisco rattle can before. How does it perform in the sun over time? Any fading or chalking?

Looks like you are making great progress!

I painted my M with the Tisco paint about 6 months ago, maybe longer. It sits outside in all weather, and still shines up pretty good. It's taken to the weather a little bit, but if it was cleaned regularly and didn't sit outside all the time, I'm sure it would last forever. This picture was taken last week. I'd say it's holding up pretty good for sitting outside every day for the last half year.

Faster346 · Nov 22, 2010

Dad finally gave me the gas tank done! Now as soon as the hood and grill are done, it will be done! Got it pretty much all together today. Bought new plugs for it today, and tomorrow I'll grab a new sediment bowl, fuel line, fill it with coolant and hyd. fluid and pop the battery in and see if it comes to life.

Faster346 · Nov 23, 2010

Came back to life tonight for the first time in quite some time. Guess I did something right putting her back together. Fired up on the first try

http://www.flickr.com/photos/morning_seems_insane/5203352850/

My 1949 Farmall C Restoration Progress Thread

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