Cub died while mowing the yard

[Mike in Louisiana]

Thanks Bill. Senior moment.

[Dirtdoc74]

Progress continues in a favorable manner. Stuck valve is a moving valve now. I figure I might as well check the clearance of the gap on the valves next. I haven’t seen what that is but I’ll find it. Looking is seems they are set at about 1/4 inch.
I figured pistons had to go in from the top. But I never done it before. See, I’m learning. Lol

[Dirtdoc74]

I think my last post got lost, so I’m redoing it. Hope this doesn’t turn into a duplicate.
I got the sticking valve moving. Now I think I will adjust the valves. I do not know the correct distance....yet... I will find it. After they are adjusted I’ll put the cover back on. Do a compression check, post my findings and see if it might start.

[Glen]

Hi,
The valve clearance is .013", you need a flat feeler gauge to check them.
Be sure the valve lifters are fully down before checking the clearance.
All the valves cannot be closed at the same time, you have to turn the engine to make the valves close.
The hand crank is handy for that, if you have one, if you don't have one, try using the fan to turn the engine.

Below is a page from the 1955 Cub operator's manual telling how to set the valves.

http://farmallcub.com/rudi_cub/www.clea ... age-44.jpg

[Gary Dotson]

It’s progress, at least. I would not adjust the valves until you sure that carbon is not holding some of them off seat. It won’t hurt your starting efforts if the clearance is a little wide. If you have a whole lot of clearance now and adjust them to spec, you might create a new problem for yourself with valves that can’t fully seat.

[Dirtdoc74]

Thanks for the information. I’ll hold off setting valves for a bit. Going to soak sticky valve till moving real free.

[SamsFarm]

I appreciate your recommendations to replace worn parts. It sounds like this is done without pulling the head off.

If you get into it enough to your going to pull the pistons out, I recomend pulling the head off too.

Sorry, I did not put pulling the head off in the previous post.

[Scrivet]

...... Facts aren’t lining up with previous owners comments. .........

Now there's a unique situation...........

[Dirtdoc74]

Update: I got the stuck valve loose, and it reassembled. Turns over fine, has spark, seems to be getting gas. Alas not even a sputter. I rechecked compression, all about 30 except for #4–60–.

[Eugene]

Compression is way to low even if hand cranking the engine.

Conduct dry then wet compression tests.

[Glen]

Hi,
The Cub service manual says a Cub engine has 120 lbs of compression. That is probably for a new engine, some less is ok, they work with 90 lbs or more.

[Clemsonfor]

As evidenced by your stuck valve, I would guess that several of your valves are not seating well enough to hold compression. I wouldn’t tear into it, until you have a better idea why the compression is so poor. That should start with dry then wet compression tests. If the wet test is significantly better than the dry test, look toward rings, if not, consider valve work. The head must come off to remove pistons.

Yea I don't think the rings are making those numbers that bad, I think most of that is stuck valves. Obviously 0 is a stuck valve but to get a 35 I think that is also like Barnyard said valves not seating, that's awfully low for just bad rings .

[Dirtdoc74]

Well nuts, wife helped me pull start the cub...... how many of you folks wraps chain around the front axle to pull start? Unless mine was about to break in two, I wouldn’t recommend it. Pulled that half of the axle right off. Only the tie rod held it together. Nobody hurt, pride badly bruised, wife is feeling guilty. Nuts... oh well, back in May I bought a cub for parts. Guess I’ll start using them.

[Don McCombs]

... how many of you folks wraps chain around the front axle to pull start?

Very few. For those that have not heard the warning… NEVER, never, never pull a Cub from the front axle. Always attach your tow chain/line to the drawbar, regardless of which direction you are towing.

[Dirtdoc74]

I did notice briefly that there was a fog of fuel by the manifolds. The carburetor is about twice the size of a cub carb. The gasket looks like it’s making a seal but I can’t see any place else for the fog of fuel to come from. I recon after I fix the axle, I’ll replace the carb.