idler gear bolt

[brewzalot]

Hello all-

Brand new to the forum, but have been using all the great info the past year on my 61 cub restoration and soon the 57 loboy. Finally getting to put all the bolts back in my freshly painted parts instead of taking them out of rusty and greasy ones. I grew up around green tractors on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, but just love these cubs.Its been a great experience and cant wait to get it completely back together.

My question is simple- should there be any washers on the bolt holding the front engine idler gear on? I do not see any in the parts book. Mine has a flat washer and a lock washer on it and as I was replacing the front cover I realized that bolt head is hitting the cover slightly. The only thing that may have changed that distance is the new gasket seems thinner than the one that was on there when I took it off. I see no marks on the cover where it was hitting before, it may have been just that close. That bolt doesn't spin but it still cant be right that it hits. Are these bolts notorious for coming loose and the previous owner may have added those washers? Thoughts?

ps- I was on a 3rd grade level for computer skills, but they too have passed me up... so let me know if I'm doing anything wrong. I had trouble getting my first posting out- I hope this is not a duplicate.

thanks,
Tim Z

[Barnyard]

should there be any washers on the bolt holding the front engine idler gear on?

No washers should be there. It should look just as you saw it in the manual.

Welcome to the forum, glad to have you with us.

[brewzalot]

Thanks for the quick response Barnyard- I just needed that reassurance before the fan pulley goes back on.

Tim Z

[Bob McCarty]

If the manual has a length on that bolt, you might check to make sure your's hasn't previously been replaced and is too long.

Bob

[brewzalot]

I don't recall seeing a length called out anywhere but then I wasn't looking specifically for one. I took out the washers and the bolt tightens down ok without bottoming out, so I think I'm good to go. The manual says 90ft/lbs - that's where I have it.

If it wasn't so serious it would be funny all the things you find either added or subtracted to a tractor from the past. It sure keeps you on your toes and thinking though.
thanks for the input Bob -that was a good call.

Tim Z

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

I believe that bolt is hollow to let oil through to the idler bushing isn't it? Make sure you have the right one.

[Bob McCarty]

Tim, After reading John's post, I looked up that bolt on Messick's website. Part # 358248R1 is 1/2 x 13 x 2 1/4". However, the cost is $28.98, so I'm guessing it's more than just a regular grade 5 or 8 bolt.

Bob

[Eugene]

John is correct. The bolt is hollow with a hole in the side to oil the idler.

[brewzalot]

The bolt (that I have) looks like a normal 1/2-13 x 2 1/4" long hex head bolt, it is not hollow but has a half moon depression in the head, or a better way to describe it, it looks like you stood it up and drilled a 1/2" dia. hole a 1/4" deep into it? It almost looks like a small internal snap ring groove in that depression- I've not seen anything like this before ?

The idler gear has a hole through to the bushing, and the bushing has a hole through it so I don't think the bolt allows oil to anything but now you got me wondering? Anyone know for sure what that bolt is supposed to look like?

[Eugene]

Check your service manual, lubrication or oil flow diagram.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

I just went to the shed and checked, and I mislead you. The bolt you described is correct, the oil passes through the space between the bolt and the hub, then through a hole to the bushing in the idler gear. Sorry for the wrong info, I recently worked on a Friends IH 444, and the bolt that holds the center rocker arm shaft support is hollow with oil passing through it. That was stuck in my mind.

[brewzalot]

Not a problem John, its when things stop getting stuck in your mind you should start to worry!

I'm putting the cover back on and laying this one to rest.

thanks to all for all the input- Tim