Pete Beaver's '46 International Farmall H

From Pete,

     Here is a consideration for your alternative garage. Attached are some photos of another form of mechanical metal. This is a '46 Farmall H. It has been in my wife's family since it was almost new. Last summer I discovered that the back of the intake manifold could be opened up with a putty knife and the H had breathed it's last.

     When my daughter and I were at our yearly trek at the Iola (WI) car show and swap meet, we spotted a booth with tractor parts. Upon inspection the proprietor asked what we were after. We told him about the sick H. He told us about a tractor show at Edgar (WI) where we should be able to find one at a reasonable price (used one).

     I obtained a new manifold from a dealer and the H is running fine. But a new world was opened. I went to four huge tractor shows in Wisconsin this summer. They are almost like three ring circuses: there are saw mills, threshing machines, steam tractors, restored gas tractors, every manner of farm equipment, even restored trucks. I ran across a collection of Reos.You might notice the tense changed. My 21-year old daughter who has been going to car shows since she was in kindergarten, drew the line, no tractor shows. But the shows are great. A retired friend goes with me. So much old equipment you wouldn't believe.

     Now I have a tough decision to make should I attempt to make the H look like it did when it was new, with sand blasting (there is barely any paint remaining), paint, a raft of new parts, or should I just keep it mechanically sound and let it grow old gracefully?

     I am also a certified car and truck nut. An ASE certified mechanic. I don't have an old truck at this time, but I am looking around for one.

Pete Beaver
Burlington, WI