Most expensive part

Farmwithjunk · Sep 18, 2006

My wife has accused me of being obsessive/compulsive. And you know what? She might just be right!

When I start "restoring" something, the sky's the limit. NOTHING stops me from reaching my goal.

I've got 3 tractors that are restoration projects. 1 is all mine. The other 2, which haven't been started yet have been handed down through the family. One was my dads, the other was my uncles.(1957 Massey Ferguson 50. 1956 Ferguson F-40) (Still trying to get FIL's old Oliver 1650)

I started with the first new tractor I owned. My cherished 1971 Massey Ferguson 150. During the past few weeks, I've been burning up the phone, fax machine, email, and EBAY trying to get the last few items to complete the project. As of last Friday, it was down to ONE item. I ruined the original 3-point top link years ago. It got bent beyond repair. Junked.

So, the search has been on for an O.E.M. top link. It HAD to have the top link pin, and chain that attaches the pin, and the chain to hold the linch pin.

Found it on EBAY! Sale just ended. It's MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $87.50 by the time the USPS brings it to my door. Coulda bought 2 (maybe 3) cheap generics for that money.

Don't tell my wife. She doesn't need any more ammo to get that mental inquest started.

What item have you ever bought, knowing you paid way too much for what it is, just "because"?

jbrumberg · Sep 18, 2006

Farmwithjunk:

I too an an unrepentant, chronic tractorphiliac

as well as a tractorholic

! I will not attend "TA". meetings as encouraged by my wife. I spend a lot of time with fellow enablers

here at TBN

. Jay

chas in me · Sep 19, 2006

What item have you ever bought, knowing you paid way too much for what it is, just "because"?

Most of what I own. LOL
Chas

turnkey4099 · Sep 20, 2006

chas in me said:
What item have you ever bought, knowing you paid way too much for what it is, just "because"?

Most of what I own. LOL
Chas

Errmmm....My wife?

Harry K

Farmwithjunk · Sep 20, 2006

turnkey4099 said:
Errmmm....My wife?

Harry K

You're singin' to the choir on that one.

Mith · Sep 20, 2006

Bought a Wheelhorse for more than I probably could have got one for, but I really wanted one, so I just went for it.

I found the less you think about it, the less it hurts

bx23barry · Sep 20, 2006

I got over $20,000 in jeep that still doesn't work and looks like c#@p. Just piad $800 for a brake booster and master cylinder.

Farmwithjunk · Sep 20, 2006

bx23barry said:
..........still doesn't work and looks like c#@p.

Sounds like you just described my son-in-law

dfkrug · Sep 20, 2006

Farmwithjunk said:
What item have you ever bought, knowing you paid way too much for what it is, just "because"?

......a Ferrari (twin-turbo, no less). Typical Italian quality, and many parts
cheaper to have custom-made vs purchased from OEM sellers........

JRobyn · Sep 20, 2006

My dad (80s) still cuts grass and does minor yard work for a bunch of folks around his house. He's got this ancient Sears (actually Kioritz/Echo) string trimmer that someone gave him and he just adores because it is very simple and light. Carb on it gummed up (he insists on leaving the trimmer and his gas cans in the back of his pickup, rain or no, can never find the spout plugs for the gas cans). He takes it apart to "fix" it, and looses half the parts and puts the rest back in the wrong places/backwards/etc. So he asks me if I can get a rebuild kit for the carb "on the internet". The thing was made in 1979. By the time I found most of the right parts (new innards for the missing fuel shutoff valve was a fun one), and fabricated the rest, I probably have over $50 and lord-only-knows how many hours in the thing. A new one is what, about $100 or less?

Oh well, the look on his face when I fired it up (one pull) and handed it to him was worth it!