If you know tractors

[Belisaerio]

I have a 1977 Ford 3600 and like many people, I let it sit too long. I spent a long time trying to bring it back to life, but finally reached that point; get help or sell it at scrap prices.
So I looked around where I live and found a guy who works on older tractors, had it shipped over there and he said he'd fix it.
Guy's name is Wendell Kelch.
If unlike me, you know the world of tractors, you know that it's the equivalent of asking Norm Abrams to build you a picnic table.
And he agreed to do it.
Great guy, even showed me his tractor collection.

If you have any interest in antique tractors, look him up.

 

[Gus1300]

Give us a full rundown when you get it back running! I enjoy watching 'fix it! YouTube videos to see how people think and repair things.

 

[Sadlsor]

There are some really knowledgeable tractor-philes around here, even though I'm not one.
I just have a lot of seat time.

 

[W0QNX]

Is your old 3600 diesel or gasoline?

I've always enjoyed the wrenching side of stuff. I haven't bought a new grass lawn mower since about year 2001. My current shed holds just one push mower and one riding mower. Both were picked up at the street edge in the neighborhood. The rider is a 42" deck 17 hp Tecumseh engine and the guy that I got it from pushed it out to curb and told me to take it as he was tired of paying shops to fix things for him when I asked if it was OK to take.

I walked out to the shed last fall and found a 7 hp push mower covered back in the corner that I had forget I had. That made 3 push mowers in there so when the grandsons both rented houses this spring I was able to give 2 of them away. I've scavenged up 4 push mowers, 1 rider, 2 edgers and couple weed eaters laying at the curb since I've been here 8 years now. I made them all run except the one edger, it was BLOWED UP.

I just cleaned carbs as needed and started up all 3 of my generators (10 horse, 7 horse and 1 horse) and 1 of the aunties (10 horse) last week as hurricane season 2026 is here. I start them and run them until the tanks are dry and then back to standby.

Update us on the old Ford please.

 

[Belisaerio]

Is your old 3600 diesel or gasoline?

I've always enjoyed the wrenching side of stuff. I haven't bought a new grass lawn mower since about year 2001. My current shed holds just one push mower and one riding mower. Both were picked up at the street edge in the neighborhood. The rider is a 42" deck 17 hp Tecumseh engine and the guy that I got it from pushed it out to curb and told me to take it as he was tired of paying shops to fix things for him when I asked if it was OK to take.

I walked out to the shed last fall and found a 7 hp push mower covered back in the corner that I had forget I had. That made 3 push mowers in there so when the grandsons both rented houses this spring I was able to give 2 of them away. I've scavenged up 4 push mowers, 1 rider, 2 edgers and couple weed eaters laying at the curb since I've been here 8 years now. I made them all run except the one edger, it was BLOWED UP.

I just cleaned carbs as needed and started up all 3 of my generators (10 horse, 7 horse and 1 horse) and 1 of the aunties (10 horse) last week as hurricane season 2026 is here. I start them and run them until the tanks are dry and then back to standby.

Update us on the old Ford please.

It is a diesel.

-Complete rebuild of the fuels system, tank to injectors
-New starter
-ignition replacement
-new air cleaner
-currently apart to replace the clutch which mice got int and blocked the drainholes. Frozen, awaiting parts

 

[ReSTored]

Guy's name is Wendell Kelch.

If unlike me, you know the world of tractors, you know that it's the equivalent of asking Norm Abrams to build you a picnic table.

Norm would probably caution Wendall that "There is no more important safety rule than to wear safety glasses" when rebuilding a tractor.

 

[diferg]

It is a diesel.

-Complete rebuild of the fuels system, tank to injectors
-New starter
-ignition replacement
-new air cleaner
-currently apart to replace the clutch which mice got int and blocked the drainholes. Frozen, awaiting parts

Ignition replacement? I thought you said it was a diesel

 

[SMSW]

Ignition replacement? I thought you said it was a diesel

Perhaps switch and glow plugs?

 

[Belisaerio]

Ignition replacement? I thought you said it was a diesel

Ignition switch. it got corroded and wouldn't activate the starter, then it wouldn't stop

 

[diferg]

I understand. Starter problems.

 

[Belisaerio]

Well, it's all back together and working, The cost was - substantial.
Just need to get it back here and cleaned up

EDIT: Don't interpret this as a complaint, he earned every penny.

 

[Belisaerio]

I understand. Starter problems.

Just the ignition switch the start had been replaced earlier in the process

 

[Belisaerio]

I was going to post a repaired picture but decided to replace the steering wheel and instrument panel, so I'll do it once I'm done. Amazing how much just washing it helped though.