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Where to start!

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Hengy
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 7150
Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2006 8:12 pm
Zip Code: 15101
eBay ID: lacrosseorgans
Skype Name: Mike.Hengelsberg
Tractors Owned: 1949 Cub "Merlin"
1955 Cub "Lewis"
Cub Trailer
A-60 Blade
Cub-22 Mower
193 Plow
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: PA, Allison Park (Am Hengelsberg)
Contact:

Where to start!

Postby Hengy » Mon May 13, 2013 2:13 pm

Hi all...

It's been a while since I have been "active" on the forum. Since the move to western PA, I have been pummeled with work and family, etc. In fact, I had pulled Lewis (my 1955 Cub) in the garage and just kind of forgot about him. Thought about selling him, even placed some ads, but never went through with it. Now with the weather turning nice and family stuff in good shape, I have decided that I really DO want to have a nice 1955 Cub to ad to the stable... SO... it is time to get started.

The problem is this... WHERE TO START. Pretty much EVERYTHING needs to be done to the tractor. Engine overhaul, new wiring, steering rebuild, tranny rebuild, final drive swap, PTO rebuild, new seals all around (front and rear engine, tranny, final drive, PTO), needs PTO rebuild...

So... where would you start? Would you start at the rear and work your way forward or start at the front and work your way rear? I've been tempted to just tear it apart completely down to bare components and work my way through it that way... maybe that is the best way.

So... what are your opinions...front to back or back to front?

Just a fun post for a Monday!
Mike (Happy as a Lark in Allison Park, PA)
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Check out my Restoration Thread (1955 Cub, Lewis)

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gitractorman
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 2678
Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2005 11:35 am
Zip Code: 14072
eBay ID: toysforjake
Tractors Owned: Lots of Cub Cadets!
1951 Farmall Cub
1977 IH Cub
1966 IH Cub
1965 IH Lo Boy
1964 IH Lo Boy
1949 Farmall Cub
Several IH 154 Lo Boys
1979 IH 184 Lo Boy
Simplicity 4416 Sovereign
Simplicity Conquest
Simplicity Legacy 4x4 Diesel
Mitsubishi MT180D 4x4 Diesel
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: Grand Island, NY

Re: Where to start!

Postby gitractorman » Mon May 13, 2013 2:36 pm

Mike,
I kind of take a different approach. I typically will get the engine in tip-top shape (as good as I can), and have a nice running tractor, before I consider doing anything else. Then I look at the other major components. If a transmission seal is leaking or gaskets need to be replaced in the final drives, I do those next. Generally cleaning things up and fixing little problems from the previous owner as I go along. So, I will get the tractor in good mechanical shape then decide if I'm going to re-paint or not.

The exception to this is if I have to take something apart to fix it along the way. For instance, on my 51, I had to drop the front axle to fix a worn bushing. While I had the front axle apart, I cleaned, repaired, and re-painted the whole assembly before putting it back on the tractor. Same thing with the oil pan, transmission cover, diff cover, and final drive pans. They were all leaking, so I had all of them off over the winter the first year I had the tractor. So, while they were off, they all got cleaned, primed and painted. Yes, I ended up painting over them again during the final painting, but if something's off being fixed, that's the time to clean an re-paint (in my book anyway).

Just my thoughts. Not sure if they're right or wrong, but I've gotten through about 6 Cubs this way and have never been dissappointed.
Bill
Cub Cadets 682, 1811, 1864, Simplicity Legacy XL 4x4 Diesel with FEL, 60" mower, 50" Tiller

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twotone
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10+ Years
Posts: 1189
Joined: Sat May 14, 2011 6:09 pm
Zip Code: 15132
Tractors Owned: 53 F Cub
73 F Cub
53 Super A With Snow/Grader Blade
193 Plow With Colter And Jointer
144 Cultivators
22 Mower
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: Versailles,Pa.

Re: Where to start!

Postby twotone » Mon May 13, 2013 2:55 pm

Glad to see you back Mike. I've always wanted to take one down completely and start from scratch, as long as I has a running Cub to use while I was restoring one. I did that with my 154 and it turned out real nice, then I traded it for a F Cub. Time is not an issue with me, but money is. A little at a time is ok because there is always parts to clean, my least favorite part. Assembling rebuilt, freshly painted parts is the real reward for me. That is my next future project.
Know Your Cub, And Your Cub Will Know You.

Tom

Eugene
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Team Cub Mentor
Posts: 20336
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Zip Code: 65051
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: Mo. Linn

Re: Where to start!

Postby Eugene » Mon May 13, 2013 2:57 pm

My thought. Complete one item or unit at a time rather than disassebling the entire tractor. Then move on to next unit. My approach is similiar to Bills, engine first.
I have an excuse. CRS.

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Don McCombs
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Posts: 17429
Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2003 6:45 am
Zip Code: 21550
Tractors Owned: "1950 Something" Farmall Cub
1957 Farmall Cub w/FH
1977 International Cub w/FH
1978 International Cub
1948 Farmall Super A
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: MD, Deep Creek Lake

Re: Where to start!

Postby Don McCombs » Mon May 13, 2013 3:46 pm

I agree with Bill & Eugene. Investigate the condition and cost to rebuild the engine first. If that is cost prohibitive or you find surprises, you may want to move on to a different tractor.
Don McCombs
MD, Deep Creek Lake

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Proud Member of Maryland Chapter 39

The best teachers are those who show you where to look, but don't tell you what to see.
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clodhopper
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10+ Years
Posts: 807
Joined: Sat May 07, 2011 8:20 pm
Zip Code: 27526
Tractors Owned: 1950 Cub Demo
1978 Cub Cadet 1650
cub 193 plow
cub 174 planter
cub sidedresser
cub 144 cultivator
cadet 50C deck
Circle of Safety: Y

Re: Where to start!

Postby clodhopper » Mon May 13, 2013 5:04 pm

Hey Mike,
Good to see you back on again. I would have to agree with the previous posts. I look at it like eating an elephant, you do it one bite at a time. I went towards mine with the "three major component" mindset. I pulled the front off, got it squared away and replaced the front seal on the crank while accessible. It was leaking like a seive. After that (this winter) I replaced the final castings and trans housing along with the rear rims. Next winter (while I dont need her) I plan to go through the engine to freshen her up and then she should outlast me if maintained.

bythepond88
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10+ Years
Posts: 1421
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Zip Code: 60073
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: IL, Round Lake Heights

Re: Where to start!

Postby bythepond88 » Mon May 13, 2013 5:27 pm

Welcome back, Mike!

I agree with the others about doing one component at a time, but in my case it's because I'm afraid I'd either lose parts or forget what a part was.

As for where to start, I would prefer to start with the engine, but that's just me, probably because that's the component with which I am most familiar (several engine rebuilds in my past, but never dived into a tranny or steering box).

Thinking about it from a reassembly standpoint, though, I think starting at the back might be a better option. Go through the rear end and finals, then do the torque tube, move on to the engine, etc. In picturing the reassembly sequence, the growing structure seems to me to be more stable if you add finished components going forward. Plus, if this is likely to take more than a couple months (I know it would take me longer than that), it seems that the components in the rear are less likely to suffer from disuse. I'd hate to think of a rebuilt engine just sitting on a bench for six months or longer.
Michael Cummings
Eddie - a 1959 International Lo-Boy named after my father in law, who who bought her new.

Matt Kirsch
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Zip Code: 14559
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: Rochester, NY

Re: Where to start!

Postby Matt Kirsch » Mon May 13, 2013 9:25 pm

Start by taking the hood off.

That will pretty much ensure that you have to fix all that is wrong with it...

Of course my first two cubs were square nose, and I find removing round-nosed hoods much easier.

JLollis
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 127
Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2005 9:52 pm
Zip Code: 29645
Tractors Owned: 1948 Farmall Cub
Circle of Safety: Y
Twitter ID: @JimLollis
Location: SC, Hickory Tavern

Re: Where to start!

Postby JLollis » Mon May 13, 2013 10:07 pm

I'm sort of in the same boat with my 48. My cub was running good when I parked it, but I let it sit for way too long (over a year, I believe). I had a shop built a month or so ago, so I am finally able to get the cub inside. Of course, it wouldn't start. My goal is to get this tractor looking and running good by the end of summer, so I just bit the bullet and pulled the hood.

I've been away longer than Mike. I have done a good bit of reading lately, but this is my first post in forever. Some of the old faces seem to be missing, and there are plenty of names I don't recognize. I look forward to getting acquainted as I go through my project. This place is still, by far, the best place to go with cub questions.

Jim
Jim Lollis

Scrivet
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Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2009 9:51 pm
Zip Code: 63664
Location: MO, Potosi

Re: Where to start!

Postby Scrivet » Mon May 13, 2013 10:20 pm

Step One: Get your fingers off the keyboard and onto the Cub! You could of had the grille off by now!

Step Two: Start with whatever is closest to you when you approach the Cub. If you're truly going through it, it doesn't matter whether it's front to back, left to right, or gas cap to tires, it's all gonna get touched. You could of had the dogleg screws out by now!

Step Three: Work on what needs it and you feel like doing. It's more fun to work on/fix something you want to instead of have to. So if you don't feel like fussing with the clutch today work on the steering. You could of had the gas line disconnected and be draining the tank by now!

Step Four: We are here for support but not for procrastination! Review Step One! You could of had the front radiator bolts out of the hood brackets by now.

Step Five: You don't need a step five, you shouldn't even be reading this! You need to be working on your Cub! You could of had the four truss head screws out by now and be taking the hood off? :D :||):

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Dale Finch
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Posts: 6634
Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 11:34 am
Zip Code: 27517
Tractors Owned: '51 Cub #140966 "Bruno" with Woods 59 mower
'55 Cub #187541 "Betty" with Fast Hitch
'55 Cub #190482 "Ben" with Woods 42 mower
'55 Cub #191739 "Bertha" with Woods 42 mower
'56 Cub #194370 "Boris" with Mott Flail mower
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: NC, Chapel Hill

Re: Where to start!

Postby Dale Finch » Mon May 13, 2013 10:23 pm

:bellylaugh: This was one of the BEST replies I have read yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dale Finch
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danovercash
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Zip Code: 28081
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Location: NC, Kannapolis

Re: Where to start!

Postby danovercash » Tue May 14, 2013 7:41 am

What Dale said!!
"I'd rather be a mechanic in the shop"- Henry Ford

252646 & 221525. 195897 (Gone, but not forgotten)

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Hengy
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 7150
Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2006 8:12 pm
Zip Code: 15101
eBay ID: lacrosseorgans
Skype Name: Mike.Hengelsberg
Tractors Owned: 1949 Cub "Merlin"
1955 Cub "Lewis"
Cub Trailer
A-60 Blade
Cub-22 Mower
193 Plow
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: PA, Allison Park (Am Hengelsberg)
Contact:

Re: Where to start!

Postby Hengy » Wed May 15, 2013 9:10 am

Thank you, all, for your input. I agree that getting the engine tip-top is key to getting the tractor tip-top. Looks like it is time for a tear-down of the engine and finding a machine shop!

Thanks all... I'll post pics as I go!

Mike
Mike (Happy as a Lark in Allison Park, PA)
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Check out my Restoration Thread (1955 Cub, Lewis)

User avatar
Hengy
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 7150
Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2006 8:12 pm
Zip Code: 15101
eBay ID: lacrosseorgans
Skype Name: Mike.Hengelsberg
Tractors Owned: 1949 Cub "Merlin"
1955 Cub "Lewis"
Cub Trailer
A-60 Blade
Cub-22 Mower
193 Plow
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: PA, Allison Park (Am Hengelsberg)
Contact:

Re: Where to start!

Postby Hengy » Mon Jun 24, 2013 10:57 am

Well.... Bringing this post back up. I have been giving Lewis a good workout, and I have to say... the tractor runs really well. Took compression readings and am getting 105 - 115 on all four cylinders. The smoke seems to be clearing up, so I think that I am going to leave the engine as it is for now. It just runs like a Swiss watch! Other than a leaky front main seal that drops oil all over the yard, I am going to let it alone.

The transmission however is REALLY bad. First, reverse and third are like metal grinding on metal. 2nd is actually quiet which has me flummoxed. With a move back up to Hengelsberg Hill coming up, I will wait until I move, but a complete teardown of the tranny is in order! At this point, would I be better off finding a new transmission to stuff in there, or would it be better to find a Cadet tranny and swap out the gears and bearings?
Mike (Happy as a Lark in Allison Park, PA)
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Check out my Restoration Thread (1955 Cub, Lewis)

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LeeC
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Posts: 342
Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2008 2:07 pm
Zip Code: 22150
Tractors Owned: 2 1962 LoBoys
1 1964 LoBoy
1 1965 LoBoy
1 1966 LoBoy
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: Springfield, VA

Re: Where to start!

Postby LeeC » Mon Jun 24, 2013 11:35 am

You are killing me Mike. There were two cadet original rolling chassis’s for sale near you on craigslist for over a month earlier this year. As I recall they wanted $100 for both. You might try Patton Acres in Edinburg. I would open up the top and see how much rust you have before investing in another transmission, however. You might just need input and counter shaft bearings. --Lee
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