Tractor Stories – 1940 Farmall M

While raking Hay with our Farmall BN and IH 4 bar rake.  A neighbor came by and asked if I would be interested in restoring a Famall M well I had another tractor 3/4 finished and said "oh I don't know ",  he said "I will give it to you", well I jumped all over that one.  I knew which one he was mentioning, My wife and I had driven past the area many times, I told my wife "I have no interest in doing anything that BIG"

The history was as follows :
He purchased the tractor non running in early 1995 it sat for 15 yrs in a barn non running, took it to a vocational school to restore, school let out and he hauled the non running tractor to the museum (AKA back field) and put the remaining parts in a shed, fast forward 2008 picked up the tractor, and parts in a shed that was held with the parts that were in side, a good strong breeze would have toppled it.
Got it hauled home with the help of my brother and cousin. They aired the tires and away they went spraying a calcium leak 360 degrees, by the time we towed it home my cousin was  pretty well soaked.

Restoration began in fall 2008, every part was dismantled cleaned and installed, engine was a total rebuild, all seals gaskets and parts were inspected and cleaned thoroughly.  Finished the project  February 2011

Plan to have a second photo take of it with the previous owner.  It was a gift but put lots of $ and time into it.  I love restoring antiques, it really whisks winter away, and have a great heirloom to pass on.

Above are the before and after Photo's
1940 McCormick Deering Farmall M Distillate, complete with shutters and belt pulley. Would like to finish the restore with the correct manifold.

Phillip Lenke
Temperance, Michigan