Farmall Cub

Hi everyone - traveling on business but still have time for the forum....

Question is - When a Cub rolled off the assembly line in 1948, would the starter have been Red or Black?

Ken

Red

bob in CT wrote:Red

Thanks Bob --- Would they have over sprayed the switch also?

Ken, I'm pretty sure they just hosed it down with the tractor assembled.

Here is a photo, courtasy of Wisconsin Historical Society:

This Cub is headed to the paint line.

I believe the metal tag on the starter was taped off though.

dgrapes59 wrote:I believe the metal tag on the starter was taped off though.

That's a good point - I need to get mine ordered and installed - ours has gone missing. I posted a while ago asking about the rivets. Wondering if they were riveted through and peened over behind the field or just into holes in the metal casing.

Anyone know that answer?

Ken

Ken:

As far as the plate on the starter - take it to a good shop ... an AC Delco shop if you have one. They can put the proper tag with rivets on rather cheaply and correctly.

The other question -- like the others said RED .. everything was RED . However and this is where it gets fun, if parts were replaced like the starter or the generator or the regulator they were Black. This would include the Mag Coil Cover and Spark Plug Cap.

Crimus, did they pain the plug wires and distributer cap and the wiring harness etc, when you say every thing was RED.....Dave

Pretty much. There was little masking off and if it was metal it got painted. Kind of like in the Navy ... if it walked salute it, if it didn't - paint it Notice in the pic that the light shells were black? They were red when they came out the other end. I would assume that the lenses were masked as well as the Serial Number tag. In the later models the painting practices had to change to account for the white areas on the hood and grille. In the beginning though it wasn't an automotive paint shop kind of job at all. In many of the pics I have seen from the archives the guys on the paint line didn't even use a mask of any type Scary

That is one of the reasons why most Cubs aren't really restored -- they are refreshed or refurbished. Something about painting all that stuff I guess.

I myself do not like a "textbook" restoration...and I guess my "M" is one example. I can't bring myself to paint wires, hoses, belts, carbs, etc. I like a little bit of detail on a tractor. A little bit. I've seen some with chrome this and that, stainless this and that, and I just don't care for it. But great thing about it, you don't have to please anyone but yourself.

I've bought the small Delco tags from Steiner with the rivets. just drive 'em in. The rivets are like .25 ea...

pickerandsinger wrote:Crimus, did they pain the plug wires and distributer cap and the wiring harness etc, when you say every thing was RED.....Dave

YUP, about everything except the steering wheel and rear rims. For many years the electrical system such as lights, generator,and starter, were options and frequently installed by the dealer if wanted. Then they were usually black, since that is the color the manufacturer painted them. None of my tractors have been restored,but all but one have been refurbished. I too like the black starter and generator, plus I buff the carb and mag rather than painting. As I tell people, it's your tractor, paint it the way you want. I have been thinking about painting my loader cub green when I get around to redoing it just to hear people complain. One thing to remember if it will be a working tractor is to keep the paint scheme simple, it is much easier to touch up the paint from scratches and scrapes that way.

When I bought my 75 Y/W cub it was only 5 years old The starter, generator, distributor and wires were all yellow.

See what you started Ken......And Rudi, My days with Uncle Sam (US Army = Uncle Sam Ain't relieved me Yet ) was " If it rusts....Paint it "......OK sorry for BushWhacking your Post Ken......Dave

pickerandsinger wrote:See what you started Ken......And Rudi, My days with Uncle Sam (US Army = Uncle Sam Ain't relieved me Yet ) was " If it rusts....Paint it "......OK sorry for BushWhacking your Post Ken......Dave

One thing is clear - we're all passionate about any post with the PAINT mentioned. As I see it this is for very good reason. I'll make a deal with you - At some point, I'll pick-up two cans of paint - IH 2150 Red and Black.....only then will I be able to decide. I've reviewed both on this forum. I've seen Red starters an black starters.....I'll surprise ya'll when I post the final pictures of this project. I promise I won't pimp out my Cub - but it may have a small amount of personal flair

I can advise that wires will NOT be Red....

Dusti Snider wrote:I myself do not like a "textbook" restoration...and I guess my "M" is one example. I can't bring myself to paint wires, hoses, belts, carbs, etc. I like a little bit of detail on a tractor. A little bit. I've seen some with chrome this and that, stainless this and that, and I just don't care for it. But great thing about it, you don't have to please anyone but yourself.

I've bought the small Delco tags from Steiner with the rivets. just drive 'em in. The rivets are like .25 ea...