Found a Cub for sale. I've got lots of questions!! HELP!!

[beejay86]

Hey there. I've been looking for a Cub for a while and found one real close! I've got some questions about it and I am hoping someone can answer.

1. It may or may not have a cracked block. Seems some weld is on the block near the front bottom near the front cover plate. Is it rare to find a cracked block and is this a usual place for the crack? Is what I am seeing not a weld at all? I will post pictures in a few days when I go look at it again. Is welding a block a good repair? I know welding cast iron is very very difficult.

2. The head gasket is weaping coolant. How hard would it be to change the gasket? Like a car I suppose, but I am just wondering. Is it a dangerous supposition to change a head gasket or could the engine be contaminated with water and now it's junk?

3. The rear axle near the brake is leaking fluid of some sort. Is this a seal or should I be suspicious?

The tractor is in overall decent condition despite a sad paint job. Starts right up and drives nice. I don't want to get myself into trouble buying a machine only to find out she has a crack or something worse sinking myself into an expensive repair. The seller is asking $2,000 and it comes with only a trailer. I am located in the northeast. Considering I'd need to replace the seals and gaskets, I was going to lowball the offer. What do you guys think??? Thank you very much for the help. -Brian.

[Bigdog]

It sounds like the block is cracked. That is a common location for cracks on a cub but from your description, I'd stay away from this one. You can buy a much better cub for the same money.
There is no "good" repair for a cracked blocks and weld repairs are always weaker than the original metal.

[Eugene]

I'd pass this one up. Second Bigdog's opinion. $2000- range will get you a very decent Cub. Keep an eye on the For Sale/Wanted section of this site.

Good Luck

Eugene

['Country' Elliott]

Hey "BeeJay 86"...Stay away from ANY Cub with a welded block (or welded anything for that matter!) You're in an area that should be "LOADED" with Cubs (based upon all the northeast International Harvesters Dealers there were). I have seen too many Cubs with welded blocks, welded front ends, welded final drive housings, welded torque tubes, etc. to bother with ANY of them! Keep searchin' and you'll find the RIGHT CUB FOR YOU...at the PRICE YOU'LL WANT TO PAY! In the meantime...KEEP LEARNIN' & LOOKIN'!

[Rudi]

beejay86:

. I agree with BigDog and Eugene on this one. He is asking way way too much for a Cub with a blown block and only a trailer to go with it. He must be dreaming eBay prices.

Ifn you really like this Cub though, this is what you can do if you are willing to do the work and have some experience. Not sure if I would do it, but then again, I am with Jethro... so what do I know

Offer the guy $500.00US. Then tell him why. Course when you post pics we can illuminate further on the subject.

1. Block is cracked - replacement block probably what $300.00 to $500.00 Check with Tom over at TM Tractor Parts

Tom has a few of these listed:



I just did a quick check at JP Tractor Salvage and this is what came up for average prices for a block:

Block 250.00 475.00 with new piston kit Boiled, magna fluxed. NO cracks or welds. Includes lifters, cam shaft and gear,

Sooo, you can base the price on what it would cost you to have the job done at your IH Dealer or another shop equipped for tractor repairs. It would not take long to hit a grand at least and more of course..

If he doesn't bite on the $500.00. my highest would probably be $750.00 but not a penny more. There is a winter's worth of playing there though.

All depends on what you have in mind and how much work you either don't mind or are willing to do. Also depends on how difficult it has been to find a Cub.

If you decide not to bite on this one, there are 4 or 5 on eBay at the moment. A couple in that price range, and a few starting much lower. It has been 2 days since I checked, but will have a look at the new search results they sent me this morning..

[allenlook]

Yeah, $500. Definitely not higher if it were me.

[Buzzard Wing]

An interesting note... you are not far from the northeast cubfest.... you may want to go, just for the fun of it.

As for Cubs.... I got the first one in TN which is a pretty long way from 'cub rich' New England.

I got the second one last spring at an auction in Swanton, VT. The ones with nice paint and virtually no attachments sold for $2000. I paid less, but it wasn't running (fuel/carb problem).

I have had good luck with being patient.... (http://www.refeq.com if you want to go to the auction, it is this Saturday)

[beejay86]

Yes, I brought my father in law to look at it and indeed the block is cracked and welded up. So I'll pass on this one.

Alot of people say New England is "cub rich". I'm not seeing it! Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places. What is this Cub Fest? I'm hitting the fairs this year and looking real hard. Thank again.