Installing new Radiator

[kluf357]

I'm a new member of this forum but have been a fan of Farmalls for years. I have several questions concerning installation of a new radiator the first one is that the drain plug on my 1964 cub is so rusted in place and stripped it will need to be drilled out. I was wondering what tap size is used for the treading so that I can re-tap the drain plug hole. I also invested in a new set of hoses but the set came with 2 extra hoses which are smaller than the ones used for the radiator. I think that these are for the air hose but i'm not 100% sure.

[Hengy]

That hole is a 3/8" pipe plug in the bottom of the bolster. Many people (myself included) have had really good luck by filing off the stub of the bolster plug and then drilling several small holes in the flattened plug around the circumference. Be careful not to bugger up the threads in the bolster when you do this. Then, you can use a chisel or other object to to knock out the space between drilled holes. After doing one or two like that, the remains of the plug will peel away from the threads in the bolster with little to know damage to the threads.

The smaller hoses that you received are indeed for the pipe from the air cleaner to the inlet of the carburetor.

Good luck and WELCOME to Farmallcub(dot) com!

Mike

[kluf357]

I guess someone has changed my air cleaner line then and thanks for the help. I'm planning on changing the plug with a brass one since it wont rust away like the steel one did.

[Stanton]

Welcome to the forum!!

[Hengy]

If you have a Zenith Carb, sometimes those come with a larger, completely rubber hose that goes from the air cleaner to the carb inlet.

[Don McCombs]

I'm planning on changing the plug with a brass one since it wont rust away like the steel one did.

Your original plug was likely cast iron, not steel. I would suggest replacing yours with an actual steel plug. The brass plug will round over even easier than the cast iron.

http://www.tmtractor.com/new/st/3833-sfp.htm

[havoc1482]

you could also install a petcock or small ball valve while your at it. I did that on my SA simply because it lets me regulate the flow of coolant rushing out so I don't make a mess in the future.

I know the cub has the plug on the bottom, so this pic is different.

But.. food for thought, just make sure it clears the maximum axle pivot angle.

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[kluf357]

I guess I do have a Zenith Carb then since the hose is one solid piece. If I go with steel should i put it in then with anti-seize so that i will be able to get it out in a few years when I decide to do a radiator flush. I do like the idea of putting in a ball valve, since if I put one of them in I will never in theory need to pull the plug from the casting ever again.

[Don McCombs]

Be careful using anything but a plug on the Cub. A ball valve or petcock will hang down and may be impacted by whatever you mow or cultivate.

[Smokeycub]

Welcome to the best cub site there is.

A ball valve or petcock will hang down and may be impacted by whatever you mow or cultivate.

Exactly what I was thinking. On the Super A it would be pretty well protected.

if I put one of them in I will never in theory need to pull the plug from the casting ever again.

Sort of like Murphy's Law in reverse. A petcock would be smaller but will present the same problem

[kluf357]

I use a woods L59 mowing deck and a 54A snow plow that is mid mounted i'm not sure I would have any issues with it getting in the way as long as the snow is not too high. I might also consider putting a L piece of pipe to make the coolant flow out flow backwards.

[Scrivet]

Tall weeds, brush, fence, tools in the shed, all might find a way to open the ball valve. But then there's a plug in the end of it. So I'm not sure what you are gaining by adding the valve you still have to take out the plug. I guess not having antifreeze run down your arm. But how often, and how fast when you do, does the radiator need to be drained? To me it seems unnecessary but if it works for someone else that's fine, more power to you! I'll just slather my plug in antiseize and wipe my arm off when I take it out.

[havoc1482]

That plug is hand tight. Simply to keep debris out of the the valve.

[Scrivet]

Sorry, I just don't see the advantage of having a ball valve outweighing the potential for disaster. If the plug is hand tight then it can vibrate out. Catch some brush on the valve and dump your radiator . Secondly, as I already mentioned, how often do you need to drain a radiator? Having a ball valve is fine with me though if that's what you like. Some people like red Cubs, some like yellow ones, some even paint theirs pink, purple, or even John Deere green . Doesn't mean I agree with all the colors. Also doesn't mean they are wrong.

[havoc1482]

For me at least, I don't know why you'd think having it there is a big potential for disaster. Its directly over the axle, and below the light, not a spot that is going to catch brush from underneath. I've had it on there for 6 months. Also some folks (around here at least) still use water. Its not a matter of how often I drain my radiator, its a matter of if I ever had to for some reason I wouldn't be looking for a large bucket or pale to fit all of the coolant in. Not everyone has a shop convenient with all sorts of drain pans and tools. Some folks just gotta do whats good for them. It doesn't hurt to show others what they have done and let them decide for themselves.