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wjohn 
Orange Level
Joined: 19 Jan 2010
Location: KS
Points: 2192
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 Topic: 1951 CA & 1941 C #813
Posted: 09 Aug 2025 at 10:30pm |
I found these for sale about 3 hours away. The couple of pictures in the ad were just of the CA with the front of the C barely in the background. I saw one engine side weight on the C and figured those would be handy. The CA looked good enough that with my other 2 CAs I thought I could make a good tractor. I decided to hook up the trailer and make the drive.
When I showed up I noticed the C had hand brakes and figured I better check the serial number. C813 isn't super low, but I think it's low enough it should be saved and not parted out. The engine block I think has to be original based on the number (CE850G). Everything is locked up so it may be a retirement project. What would you do with the C if it were yours?
The CA is a 1951 and the C would be a 1941. The engine in the CA turns over with a hand crank. It looks like it is just missing a distributor and a muffler. After I get some field work and car repairs done, I'll see if I can't get it running.
Edited by wjohn - 09 Aug 2025 at 10:31pm
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1939 B, 1940 B, 1941 WC, 1951 WD, 1952 CA, 1956 WD-45
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IBWD MIke
Orange Level
Joined: 08 Apr 2012
Location: Newton Ia.
Points: 4058
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Posted: 10 Aug 2025 at 3:27am |
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Nice save wjohn.
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WF owner
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Joined: 12 May 2013
Location: Bombay NY
Points: 5002
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Posted: 10 Aug 2025 at 5:49am |
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If they were sitting outdoors for any length of time, I would take a look at the inside of the transmission on the C (without a rubber cap on the shifter) before I made a decision.
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steve(ill)
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: illinois
Points: 87474
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Posted: 10 Aug 2025 at 7:34am |
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I dont think a low serial number is going to make any difference in $$$ on the C. Unless you want to spend a lot of time and $$ on getting it running, its probably a parts tractor.
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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WF owner
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Joined: 12 May 2013
Location: Bombay NY
Points: 5002
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Posted: 11 Aug 2025 at 7:36am |
From my experience with my grandfather's WF that I have been working on for years, I can tell you that restoring a tractor that has set outdoors for years, is not an easy or inexpensive task.
On mine, even the pinion bearing was one solid hunk of rust. There is literally not a single part that I haven't had apart (including even the steering box).
There were parts that are no longer available that I had to have made. Thankfully, I have a neighbor that is a machinist and does excellent work.
To give you an idea, I have almost $8000 invested in this (plus hundreds of hours of labor) which includes all new tires and rims, and I am not 100% finished yet. When I get done, the tractor will probably be worth around $3000, but my grandfather bought it new, and it will be my grandson's when I am gone.
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wjohn
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Joined: 19 Jan 2010
Location: KS
Points: 2192
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Posted: 17 hours 41 minutes ago at 7:13pm |
 IBWD MIke wrote:
Nice save wjohn. |
Thanks Mike! Good seeing you up at Hutch and thanks for the help carrying parts, and using your tractor as a reference for the hand clutch kickout assembly.
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1939 B, 1940 B, 1941 WC, 1951 WD, 1952 CA, 1956 WD-45
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wjohn
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Joined: 19 Jan 2010
Location: KS
Points: 2192
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Posted: 17 hours 35 minutes ago at 7:19pm |
WF owner wrote:
If they were sitting outdoors for any length of time, I would take a look at the inside of the transmission on the C (without a rubber cap on the shifter) before I made a decision. |
I am sure it's all shot in there. Hopefully the gears are salvageable, but it'll need all new bearings at a minimum. I don't expect this endeavor to make any sort of financial sense, and it will be way down on the project list.
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1939 B, 1940 B, 1941 WC, 1951 WD, 1952 CA, 1956 WD-45
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wjohn
Orange Level
Joined: 19 Jan 2010
Location: KS
Points: 2192
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Posted: 17 hours 22 minutes ago at 7:32pm |
steve(ill) wrote:
I dont think a low serial number is going to make any difference in $$$ on the C. Unless you want to spend a lot of time and $$ on getting it running, its probably a parts tractor. |
Definitely not going to be able to sell it for what it will cost to fix up! I love the size of the B/C/CA models as far as space in the shop and how easy they are to split and work on compared to the bigger tractors. I've always wanted to fix one up from the finals to the rocker shaft and figured this was as good of a candidate as any - if I really want the chance to tear into anything and everything on one.
It does sound like people are voting it's a parts tractor so far though... and it is hard to argue with that given the condition.
Edited by wjohn - 17 hours 22 minutes ago at 7:32pm
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1939 B, 1940 B, 1941 WC, 1951 WD, 1952 CA, 1956 WD-45
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jvin248
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Joined: 17 Jan 2022
Location: Detroit
Points: 448
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Posted: 3 hours 47 minutes ago at 9:07am |
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It's a parts tractor if you are aiming for a factory fresh parade restoration.
But if you are seeking a worker tractor to get jobs done, it's much less of a cash and time sink. Fix the broken bits just to make a runner, put mower under it, cultivator setup, and so on. Keep it in working clothes.
Once a runner is made, then determine if you want more or to sell it to someone who works it or restores it.
I have what was a Parts Tractor that I do all my snow plowing with.
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