ford 960 oil pressure question

[hobbyhorse]

Im looking at a 55 ford 960 the guy who has it says he has replaced the oil pump andpressure guage but still has no pressure to guage. however after replacing pump it blew the head gasket is this some thing i should be majorly concerned about or is this a common problem?
the tractor has about 3600 hours all new rubber & paint hes asking $3500 is this reasonable
thanks TBNers

Im learning alot reading your posts

 

[rambler]

The hours are low, probably been around the clock a time or 2. It's 45+ years old. Our 960 gets rebuilt every 5-10,000 hours. Been driving it since I was 7.

Well, you need oil pressure, & you need a head gasket. So, they are problems. Are you good at doing this type of work?

Price is good for a 960 in good condition. I'm not sure I understand the condition of this one, is the head off of it, or?

--->Paul

 

[hobbyhorse]

the guy said he replaced the head gasket after replacing the oil pump told me he used the tractor about 200 hours last summer with no problems. he believes there is plenty of oil pressure just a blockage some where going up to the guage is he blowing smoke??? being new to tractors and not a much of experience with engines i dont know

 

[Soundguy]

Why not pull the oil line at the block and see if there is pressure.. or really a blockage in the line... A 960 should have the 172 engine.. same block as the 134... My NAA and 660 with a 134 will build oil pressure during cranking.. so oil drible at fitting should be easy to check... might need monkey fingers to get a wrench on the fitting by the hydro pump..

Soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

Forgot to add.. 3500$ is a 'running' price... No il pressure wheteher due to a real problem.. or a 'ahem' blockage.. is not a 'good' deal imho.

if you can get him to prove oil pressure.. then that's different.

Soundguy

 

[Ford960]

I have a 960 that I paid $3255 with new tires, clutch, and brakes. Also got a 60" box blade, 5' bush hog, and boom pole for that price. It runs like a champ, starts in 30 degree weather without using the choke but has a little blow-by when working hard and the power steering cylinder leaks at the valve so the belt is off the pump. It also has the aux hydraulic valves under the seat.

Someone painted it the wrong colors and the sheetmetal is straight but pretty rusty.

I use it every day and it's pretty good on gas too.

The original asking price was $3500 but I talk the guy down to $3055, then gave him $200 for the bush hog.

I would question why the oil pump got replaced on the 960 that you are looking at. That indicates to me that there is an unresoved lubrication system problem that can result in the total destruction of the engine.

The head gasket deal is another area that raises concern.
Offer the guy $2500 for it as is, if you are good at doing your own engine work. If you have reservations about your mechanical abilities then walk away, as paying a shop to straighten out the problems can very well cost as much as the asking price.

One more thing, don't run it unless you are absolutely sure that it has oil pressure. From your description I have a feeling that the guy has done that and there may be serious damage already done to the crankshaft, rod bearings, and cam shaft.

Good luck, let us know what you decide.
Ford960
PS, What front wheels does it have? I've got the wide front on mine.

 

[rambler]

Well, an engine won't run 200 hours without any oil.

The question is, what _is_ the oil pressure? Real good, or barely marginal? You don't know.

I guess it's a gamble. Hard to say what to do. Depends what you want.

Nice tractors, we used to have 2, still have the one I learned to drive on.

Wide front is nicer, power steering is on most all of them, and what shape is the 2 stage clutch in? Rear remote in working condition is valuable to me. All of these options are $600 each or more for you to add, does it have the features you need?

--->Paul

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Break this down to it's simplest form. You've found a tractor for sale at about 90 to 110% of it's normal resale value. It has a blown head gasket and no proof of oil pressure.

Doesn't sound like such a great deal to me.

Both problems could potentially be easy fixes. Both could be signs that the engine is toast. Cost to repair or rebuild could go from a few bucks to a couple grand.

Too many "good tractors" on the market. Unless you're getting a giant bargain, or you're wanting a restoration project, I'd keep looking.

 

[hobbyhorse]

Im going to check it out on sat he droped off a pic as he was near my house looks to have power steer on wide frontend new paint looks good in pic I have a buddy knows his way around tractors gonna look it over with me check out the oil pressure issue also found a clean 8n with chains back blade abd brush hog for the same price lesstractor but may be more bang for the buck still will do what i need weighing my options

 

[Ford960]

Scan the picture so we can see it.