I have always wanted a String of Pearls... I found one in OH. It has seen better days. The owner tells me that the engine block has a crack in it. The drive train is free. Some body panels not seen in pictures may be available. I do not know much else about the F. What are some specific questions I should ask the owner about the machine? What are some the the major obstacles when restoring a crawler in this condition? Did some of the model F's not have steering wheels? What is a fair price for an F in this condition???
As far as I know, no Fs had levers instead of steering wheels, though there can always be a unique experimental tractor out there. I saw one once (also in Ohio) with levers, but they were fabricated at some point. From your pictures, the tracks look fairly decent. I've seen many where the tracks are simply rusted through and gone in places. The tracks and pearls are going to be one of the hardest things to find in good shape. You're best bet would be to get this one and then look for another one and piece them together.
Blake
If the engine block is cracked as the owner says. Are there any different types of replacement engines that would be recommended?
No. That engine is different than any other Cletrac engine. I think the crankcase shares oil with the transmission. If the block can't be repaired, I would think an engine would be easier to find than tracks. If you can get it for about $.10 a pound you will be out nothing over scrap price. That tractor should weigh about 2000 lbs. So that can give you a base to start with.
So tracks are the hardest to find... What are the odds of finding an engine, a needle in a hay stack?
I'm sure they're out there. Perhaps put an ad on the Cletrac Classifieds? Get the word out on here that you are looking.
Thanks Blake
You're welcome. I wish some others would chime in here. …..BOB where are you? You've got a String of Pearls F
Anyone know the approximate total number of units manufactured? I know Cletrac only made them for a few years so it cant be that many.
I'm here!
Good find there. Looks to me like those pieces of channel iron on the sides would have been a part of a cultovator or something. Running gear is deffinately hard to find. Those engines are known for cracking on the right side by the water manifold. A friend of mine told me he thought he had only seen one that hadn't been broken in that spot. My dad's is cracked but has been repaired a long time ago by I'm sure a not profesional and it is holding.
The Fs are a very desirable piece and hold value well. I think dad and I bid on a couple over several years on ebay and they always brought several thousand in poor condition.
Don't know how many were made for sure, but it sure wasn't very many.
Good luck
Hey Bob,
Thanks. So at least a $1000 for a unit like this, eh?
-S
Its probably worth that really. Does the guy know what he has? Obviously have to be fair with each other but try to get it as reasonable as possible
I just found this Model F mailbox. Kind of a waste if you ask me, but I guess the restoration project is always there waiting to be started.
(http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/attachments/f19/73741d1365033223-cletrac-f-dscn3085-1024.jpg)
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.practicalmachinist.com%2Fvb%2Fattachments%2Ff19%2F73741d1365033223-cletrac-f-dscn3085-1024.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.practicalmachinist.com%2Fvb%2Fantique-machinery-history%2Fcletrac-f-263516%2F&h=768&w=1024&tbnid=8zPJRRWYK0cFqM%3A&zoom=1&docid=DnSMjEssRGmMvM&ei=7vm-U-WuC8ewyASryIHgBg&tbm=isch&client=safari&ved=0CGEQMyg6MDo&iact=rc&uact=3&dur=752&page=2&start=52&ndsp=59
Blake
I hate to say it,but somehow that F would find its way on my trailer after dark. What a bone head! Bill
A tiltbed and 5 mins and it would be gone!
It's a federal offense to tamper with a US Post Office mail box!
LOL!
Ssadams, did you buy the F? Around 2000 were built I think during the early 20s.
Erik
why not just repair the block? if its just cracked you could braze it or nickel rod weld, or for that matter use jb weld. there is not any real pressure on the cooling system. I have done this on other tractor restorations. the old timers used to drill, tap the crack, then put brass screws in along the crack then over lapped them, they then cut off the screw heads, ground them smooth. basicly stitching the crack. its worth a try & you don't have to disturb the block, i.e remove it.
Where is the crack in the block? Is it so it can be sleeved or repaired?
Blake is that picture from over in chagrin falls ohio? I seem to remember one on a back road over there
Do you mean the mailbox Larry? If you look through the link by the picture, it says it's from Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
Quote from: Larry p on January 15, 2015, 01:41:11 PM
Blake is that picture from over in chagrin falls ohio? I seem to remember one on a back road over there
Here are a couple of pictures I took from the link about the F mailbox. I figure the picture is worth having on this site. It's an F set up to be driven from a Planet Jr cultivator.