(quoted from post at 10:54:16 01/08/18) I <snip> was wondering if there is anything I should be aware of that could be a problem area. <snip>
Looks like your tractor is a diamond in the rough... The aftermarket fenders and extension rims are desirable accessories.
Your grandfather was right about the noisy drive train, and the fenders create a sort of echo chamber for the operator. My grandfather had Fordson Fs for years, and always used to remove fenders off the parts tractors he bought before putting them back into service. Wish he had saved some of those fenders...
Nearly 3/4 of a million of these tractors were manufactured in the USA between 1918 and 1928, and there are still a lot of parts tractors around. Some tractor collectors look down their noses at the Fordson F, but in my view, any machine that has lasted nearly 100 years is worth my attention.
Manifolds and fuel tanks are the most common problems on the Model F. Repro manifolds can be had for about $350, and a repro fuel tank costs about as much, so yes, you'll probably end up spending more on the tractor than you could ever sell it for. I agree with what Moll said: It's the thrill of breathing new life into old iron that motivates a lot of us.
If the fuel tank isn't too badly rusted, you might be able to conceal a modern fuel can inside to preserve the original look.
Speaking of looks, unless you really want to have a trailer queen, that tractor looks just fine as it is -- no need to paint it. You may want to apply some sort of protective coating, but Fordsons look best in their working clothes.
Mechanically, the valves are [u:c588f910d1]very[/u:c588f910d1] important in these tractors. You'll want to spend as much time as necessary to get everything adjusted correctly, and with proper clearances.
Pistons and rings will likely need attention, but don't go overboard... Sleeving a cylinder costs about $250/per, so unless you have a cracked block and/or are planning on working this tractor hard, a new set of rings should be sufficient to make the tractor run well.
Your tractor still has the original coil box, so make sure the buzz coils are all in good condition and adjusted correctly. If you can locate an aftermarket magneto, that'll help ensure easier starting and minimize cranking. (A perfectly-running Fordson should start with a sharp half-turn of the crank.) Spark plugs are readily available and inexpensive, if you use the Autolite 3095.
There's a lot of information available on-line (especially on that other site), so do your research and ask plenty of questions.
Good luck with your project, and keep us posted.