new plan!

[George Willer]

I brought Smiley home yesterday after a somewhat long and difficult trip. I expected the early showers we were having to pass quickly, but I drove most of the trip in heavy rain... just a little short of the expected 400 miles. It turned out to be only 398 1/2 and required only 11 hours driving time.

Smiley was intended to be a source of many much needed parts:
1. A final for Scotty
2. A final for Scruffy
3. A radiator base for MasseyCub
4. A transmission for Rambo
5. Hydraulics for the new demo
6. Misc other parts for the shelves

I added a seat pan so I could take him for a drive (Scruffy's old one) and put a Rick step on so I could climb aboard.

For an original Cub that has never had a repaint and probably spent very few nights indoors he didn't do too badly.

Here are a few first impressions:
1. The steering is remarkably tight
2. The brakes work!
3. The rear wheel weights are the nicest cast ones I've ever seen.
4. The clutch drags a little but works smoothly after the tranny is in gear.
5. The touch control works just fine.
6. The hand hole cover and flywheel covers are in place

It doesn't look like there's any hope of restoring any of the badly rusted sheet metal, but I have no plans to ever restore any of Scruffy's either.

I'm in the process of removing the weights and turning the wheels around like most flat land Cubs are. I got the 3/4 drive sockets out intending to twist any stubborn bolts off but the nuts (all 16 ) came right off. Now, if the lug bolts come out as easily...

My thought today is to use the busted engine as a model to demonstrate the internal repair for the busted ear and then add a rear rockshaft and the Rick carry-all so Smiley may live.

I may leave the temporary Ford 13" wheels/studded snow tires on for effect.



For more pictures of this prize:

http://gwill.net/Album/Tractors/Farmall/Cubs/52_Smiley/

[Jackman]

3. The rear wheel weights are the nicest cast ones I've ever seen
[/quote]


GW, Congrats on the new addition to the fleet . No doudt you've seen many more Cubs than I, just curious what differances you have seen in wheel weights? My 51 has weights that are excellent and would have thought that all weights are the same.

[Bigdog]

Sounds like another good purchase George!

[Don McCombs]

Sounds like a good plan, George.

Could you do me a favor and snap a couple of photos of the spare tire carrier setup on your trailer? It looks interesting. Thanks.

[George Willer]

GW, Congrats on the new addition to the fleet . No doudt you've seen many more Cubs than I, just curious what differances you have seen in wheel weights? My 51 has weights that are excellent and would have thought that all weights are the same.

Jack,

The weights aren't molded very carefully and in spite of flaws they all seem to have passed inspection. Their purpose, after all, was to be heavy. My guess is that the molds were prepared by rookies when they were first hired. A weight that doesn't have evidence of shifted or missing sand is kinda rare. One on Rambo that is honeycombed badly was the subject of discussion at CubTug. Both weights on Smiley have perfect outer surfaces.

[Rudi]

George:

Another Cub saved and safely ensconced in George Willer's "Retirement Home for Lost and Wayward Cubs" Well done, good deal.. No wonder you are the Master

[George Willer]

Sounds like a good plan, George.

Could you do me a favor and snap a couple of photos of the spare tire carrier setup on your trailer? It looks interesting. Thanks.

Don,

I took this one in the dark but I think it tells the story. The stand-off is such that the tire is against the rail so it doesn't shake.

[TOOLMAN]

George
I love them dare tires
Heehaaa

[Don McCombs]

Thanks, George. That looks simple enough for me to try.

[John68]

See, I knew you couldn't cut that thing up. A Cub with low hours like that always have a few nice surprises. It's also a good thing the original owner knew what a grease gun was. I have seen many cubs that look like they have never been greased before. He'll make a fine running tractor, once you remove those 55 year old igintion parts. I'm sure you'll give him all the TLC he needs.

P.S.
I'm sure Smiley is not going to know how to act with no hills to climb.

[Matt Kirsch]

You know, it looks like a classic '50s RAT ROD! I'd leave it as-is, especially the Ford rims on the front.

[magnumpi]

The inverted whitewalls add that final '50's touch !! Craig