Farmall Cub

Hello All,

I am a brand new owner (through inheritance) of an early model Farmall Cub. Just retired from the military and my father-in-law went into assisted living/memory care from his small farm, leaving me the tractor. He really can't help me now with his condition. Please forgive my questions that many of you have seen before, I'm sure.

Trying to look up to see what actual year it is ('47 or '48, can't remember what he told me tears ago, but he said it was one of the earliest models). There is a serial number name plate on the right side (as you're sitting on it) of the steering gear housing. It says "FCUB" and then gives the serial number "44775". Can this number tell me the model year?

Internet sleuthing for parts brought me to Steiner Tractor company. Is this a reliable place that has all the parts I will need to retore it?

Through experience, how much approximately does it cost to restore a barely running tractor (excluding labor)?

Thanks, and I'm sure I'll be scouring this site in the future.

The serial number you posted would make it a 1948.

Pics of your cub would help figuring out what has to be done. Very hard to say how much. Alot will depend on engine condition. Engine may just need a tuneup or anywhere up to a complete overhaul. There are several places to get parts. The first place to check would be right here on the forum.

Smarg, Welcome to the Forum. You'll find a lot of friendly and knowlegeable Cub lovers here. If you click on "manuals" in the toolbar, you can find all the manuals you'll need. Before you order any parts, figure out what you need and we can offer suggestions on where to get the best quality and prices. Some of Steiner's stuff is fine, some is not. It's hard to say what your costs will be until you evaluate the tractor more. If it just needs fresh gas and a tuneup,fairly inexpensive. If you need an engine overhaul, then you're looking at possibly $1-2000.00. If you can give us more info about the tractor, we can give you trouble shooting suggestions. Start will clean gas and good flow out the drain of the carburetor. Check for a good blue spark at the plugs. If it runs now, that's a good start.

Bob

Your tractor would have rolled of the line in late Aug '48.

As the others have said a lot depends on the current condition. Photos would be great.
Also, before you jump in head first, spend a bit of time reading through this forum and the "How-To" section, as well as the links at the top of the page. Loads and loads of information can be found here, and may save you costly mistakes and/or aggravation in the future!
Let us know if there is anything else we can help out with.

Smarg congratulations and welcome. First there are no dumb question just dumb answers. If you do not have a manual get one and spend some time reading it and as far as sources for parts we have some great sponsers on the home screen. Last the cost will depend on what you want to do - some will pay to have the engine rebuilt for 1000 or more while others are happy with new plugs and an oil change for 20.00. You will need to evaluate and decide what you want to put into it. Good luck.

Hi - when I started the piece by piece restoration of RauCub-1 - this is one of the first links sent to me.

http://www.tmtractor.com/id/id_001.htm

Please help yourself to A LOT of reading on this site before you loosen a single bolt. It will help you in the long run - trust me. I would also recommend buying a fair bit of paper and a FAT 3-ring binder to print out a lot of the material found at this link - http://www.farmallcub.com/[ Sorry, direct links to manual section is not allowed. ]/index.php?dirpath=./files/Service%20Manuals/Blue%20Ribbon%20Service%20Manuals&order=0

Read, the books and read this forum often.

Ken

Bob McCarty wrote:Smarg, Welcome to the Forum. You'll find a lot of friendly and knowlegeable Cub lovers here. If you click on "manuals" in the toolbar, you can find all the manuals you'll need. Before you order any parts, figure out what you need and we can offer suggestions on where to get the best quality and prices. Some of Steiner's stuff is fine, some is not. It's hard to say what your costs will be until you evaluate the tractor more. If it just needs fresh gas and a tuneup,fairly inexpensive. If you need an engine overhaul, then you're looking at possibly $1-2000.00. If you can give us more info about the tractor, we can give you trouble shooting suggestions. Start will clean gas and good flow out the drain of the carburetor. Check for a good blue spark at the plugs. If it runs now, that's a good start.

Bob

So many good replies! Looks like I will be printing a lot of stuff soon.

I will empty the gas tank and refill with new stuff. When you mean good flow out of the drain...should I take out the plug in the bottom of the carb and make sure that gas is flowing out, is that a good way to tell on the flow? And blue spark...these plugs look very old and rusted. Could they still be good? Like a lawnmower, take one out with it still on the wire, and crank while touching it to the body and a blue spark? It will only chug a few times and not start at the moment.

PVF1799 wrote:Hi - when I started the piece by piece restoration of RauCub-1 - this is one of the first links sent to me.

http://www.tmtractor.com/id/id_001.htm

Please help yourself to A LOT of reading on this site before you loosen a single bolt. It will help you in the long run - trust me. I would also recommend buying a fair bit of paper and a FAT 3-ring binder to print out a lot of the material found at this link - http://www.farmallcub.com/[ Sorry, direct links to manual section is not allowed. ]/index.php?dirpath=./files/Service%20Manuals/Blue%20Ribbon%20Service%20Manuals&order=0

Read, the books and read this forum often.

Ken

I will take your advice. Looks like we both own a 1948 Cub! Thank you.

RaymondDurban wrote:Your tractor would have rolled of the line in late Aug '48.

As the others have said a lot depends on the current condition. Photos would be great.
Also, before you jump in head first, spend a bit of time reading through this forum and the "How-To" section, as well as the links at the top of the page. Loads and loads of information can be found here, and may save you costly mistakes and/or aggravation in the future!
Let us know if there is anything else we can help out with.

Wow, you can even tell what part of the month! When I learn how to take digital pictures and transfer them to the internet, I will do so. Right now the tractor is very ratty looking, everything is original, no restorations at all. It ran last year when I loaded it on the trailer and took it to my shop. Now it will chug a few times when I try and start it but that's it. I'm going to check the flow of the gas (by taking out the carb plug and seeing of gas flows freely) and then seeing if the spark plugs give out blue spark as suggested here. I just wanna get that dadgum thing STARTED!!!

tmays wrote:Pics of your cub would help figuring out what has to be done. Very hard to say how much. Alot will depend on engine condition. Engine may just need a tuneup or anywhere up to a complete overhaul. There are several places to get parts. The first place to check would be right here on the forum.

Thank you Thomas.

Steiner has the best carburetor kit available now, I have had good service from them

Smarg wrote:...should I take out the plug in the bottom of the carb and make sure that gas is flowing out, is that a good way to tell on the flow

Yes, that is a real good way to tell.

Smarg wrote:these plugs look very old and rusted. Could they still be good?

Smarg wrote:...these plugs look very old and rusted. Could they still be good?

Don't even chance it, at about $10.00 a set you are way better off replacing what you have at this stage of the game. A complete tune up is probably in order while your at it.

Welcome to the forum. You will find, or you have already found, there are a lot of folks here who have this hobby. We have all learned from each other.

Welcome to the forum....And thank you for your service....As you are finding out, this is a great place to gain knowledge and friendships....Have fun with your project.....Dave

Be sure to prime the oil pump before running, then after it runs change the oil unless there is a tear down in the near future. Compression check is good idea also.