My name is not frank, my handle is frantbk.
Anyway back to the 55. The reason I keep talking about them is because it might determined if he really wants to fix-up the 55. They're not a bad combine to have, and they are easy to adjust. Which makes them a good combine for starting young children on.
The gas engine on the 55 I have run was pretty good. The major problem I had was the electrical and that was because the engine cover had been removed and throw away by the original owner. If the combine sat out side on wet morning it was a pain to start. Solved the problem by buying a trap and wrapping it around the engine. Problem solve, starts every time unless the batteries are low.
The only other major problem I have had was the starter filling up with bean/corn junk. Solve that problem with a gasket seal kit. Cut out a seal for the spacer, and one for the starter to set against. Now I don't have any starter fill up with junk.