11/15/98 I got a lot of the
dirt end of the shop cleaned out today, so there is now room for the
F-12 to get under roof so I can get started on it. I thought maybe I
wouldn't have to put the rear wheel back on to move it and used the
boom pole on the back of the Ford 640 to try and lift the rear of the
tractor. The old Ford's hydraulics wouldn't budge it, so I put the
wheel back on and pushed it into the shop. I want to drag the torch out
to it and get started on the nuts that hold the manifold on, as this is
one part that will definitely have to be replaced.
12/12/98 Finally had a little time
to work on the F-12 on a Saturday. Having heated and soaked the nuts
and bolts with penetrating oil for quite some time, I was able to
remove the rusted through intake and exhaust manifolds. These are
rather complicated because this tractor was equipped to start on
gasoline, and run on kerosene. I also was able to remove the hood, air
cleaner and the cover over the left brake. Removing the valve cover
showed that the rockers and valves look fine. There is a 1/2" thick
piece of felt above the rockers. I guess it is to help hold oil. The
magneto was also removed and cleaned up.
Collecting, Restoring, Painting