Cost...

I'm pretty good at estimating cost for my projects. As of right now the way I have it figured I will have around $2000 in restoring my WC. This includes the cost of acquiring the tractor, tires, paint, hood, and misc. parts and pieces that I need.  While the answer will not deter me from continuing this project, whats a 1939 AC WC with a wide front worth if it is properly restored down to the last nut and bolt?

Edited by chllngr528 - 10 Jun 2011 at 6:32pm

If you truly restore a WC down to the "last nut and bolt", you will have way more in the tractor than you will ever recoup if you sell it. If you are doing it for personal satisfaction and for your own personal collection, with no profit motive, go for it! It's a great experience.

Edited by GBACBFan - 10 Jun 2011 at 6:41pm

I'm not motivated by profit. The tractor was free and so far it has cost me less the $300 which includes front tires and parts to get it running real good (battery, points, plugs wires, water pump, hoses, belts etc). The fronts were used but only for 8 months so they may as well be new. The only thing I need to make it mechanically finished is a exhaust manifold which I am in the process of getting. I have few seals here and there to replace but that is not a big deal. I have all the painting accessories already so all I need is paint. (I have been restoring GTs for awhile).

The list of stuff I still need. Hood, Fenders, the proper exhaust manifold and rear tires. I'm looking to see if I can find a used set for the time being though because the left rear had a massive blowout. I may have a line on the hood and fenders as well for $200 or so.

You do not make money restoring tractors, that is why they call it a HOBBY and not a business.

I have about 30 odd tractors now, (all allisses)   i dont even want to try and guess what im in for. Ill find out at my retirement auction...............

Good luck with your project.I have one big tractor project ,my  18-30 Allis .People ask how much will I have in it when its done .I  tell them  I will know when its DONE !LOL .That is if I keep track.

Edited by Fred in Pa - 11 Jun 2011 at 6:13am

I have a 1951 Massey Harris 44, I'm over $3000 (Overhauled engine) and haven't touched the tires. I could have bought 2 nice ones for that. LOL

My WC was given to me and I did all the work myself except for grinding the crank and rebuilding the mag. I had every nut and bolt out of it,sand blasted and primed everything but the gas tank and drawbar assembly. I rebuilt the engine but hired the final assembly of the engine, I had the new sleeves and pistons in along with the crank and bearings fitted.
 I haven't kept track of little things like a bearing here and there and I have used tires that cost next to nothing.
 MY total(that I kept track of) so far is over 5K.
 If you can do one for under 3K, maybe you should share your secrets.

When I did my grandpa's WC I thought I was keeping fairly good track in my head and I was with the large dollar items.  I was thinking I had $3500 or so in it but I had been putting all the receipts in a drawer and when I was done I put them in an excel spreadsheet and it came to $5800.  All the small incidentals add up quicker than one thinks.  I don't think I will divulge what excel said I have in the WD45 Diesel.

Lol what a bunch of doubters.

 Its truly amazing what can be done with a good set of networking skills and patience. I'm sure if I ran out and bought everything I need at once then I would be in the hole 4-5k. Here is a example. I needed the cap for the mag on my WC. Every where I looked they wanted any where from $60 to $90 for this little cap. Well I was  at a auction (where I might add I bought a Case 446 for $100) and while walking through the vendors I found a guy who rebuilds mags. After talking to him awhile he sold me a cap for $30. I needed a water pump and everywhere I looked they wanted any wheres from $90 to $120. I bought a brand new pump (might be brand new rebuilt) for $65. Next deal I might strike is on a hood and fenders. I think $200 its a good deal for a nice set of used fenders  and a good hood. So after buying the hood/fenders I will be about $500 into her. Lets throw in $400 for paint, $600 for rear rubber, and about $150 for a manifold I'm at $1750. Add another $300-$400 for misc stuff and I'm at $2150.

Now my original question was How much money do you (the forum) think a 39 WC with a wide front will be worth in excellent mechanical condition, all original parts (i.e no foot brake or farmer modified equipment), with a nice correct paint job would worth? 

 Your right and we got off on another tangent, sorry about that.  About 1200 to $1500, in todays market.

Gary's right with his $1200 - $1500 estimate. Watch the classifieds on this site, YT, and Ebay and see how many clean WC's sell for over $2000. It will be a very short list.

chllngr528 wrote: I have been pretty good at estimating my projects so far. The only one that kinda got out of hand is one I am working on now. 1979 case 224. The only reason that one went over was because I had to rebuild the engine twice due to a faulty connecting rod from chi-town. I also shouldn't have said a "restored" tractor as I am not rebuilding the engine. For what it will be used for it will run for many years to come. It has good compression and doesn't smoke so I don't feel the need to do a complete tear down of the engine. I plan to remove the aftermarket crap and replace it with what belongs, fix all the leaks, replace the broken/severely worn parts and spray bomb the heck out of her. (I'm just kidding about the spray bomb part)

Here is where I mentioned the compression and the reason I shouldn't have said full on resto.

I'm not a expert in painting by any means but I do have the attention to detail and enough knowledge to at least do a nice paint job.

It will be  worth to you what you have in it !!! And that is all that counts .NO BODY can tell you with out seeing and  checking over your TRACTOR what THEY THINK its worth!!! 100 people can look at  tractor  in person ,you will have 100 opinions!! Take it to a Auction and you will only know what it is worth to one person!!!the high bidder !! Enjoy your project ,that is what it is worth to you.

Edited by Fred in Pa - 11 Jun 2011 at 7:58pm