Restoration Project - Four digit Cub

[Slim140]

Got the hitch secured. Decided to make a U-bolt out of 5/8" round. Has enough clearance on both sides I can locate it in any position if the need be. How often will it get moved for real? Probably not much!

[Slim140]

Well everyone, here it is back together ready to go home. Got the hood back on and lights wired and went with a copper fuel line. I want to thank everyone for their help, input & compliments. I want to give all glory to God for this project and the talents He has blessed me with to do something like this. I love to work on things and make them better. My wife, kids and I will get years of enjoyment riding this tractor around. All that is left is to paint it red & decal it and I will be sure and take pictures when that happens and put them on here. It has been a lot of work and it truly drives as good as it was when new. Thanks to everyone! When I haul it home next week I am going to stop by and show it to the guy who's dad owned it (he passed away about a year ago). I don't know what his dads name is but that is what this tractor will be called when I find out.

[Waif]

Been a long road , but you get to ride in confidence now!
Well done.

[Jim Becker]

. . . went with a copper fuel line. . . .

If it is copper colored steel, OK. But if it is really copper, you need to swap it out for steel. Copper will work harden and crack from vibration.

[Slim140]

. . . went with a copper fuel line. . . .

If it is copper colored steel, OK. But if it is really copper, you need to swap it out for steel. Copper will work harden and crack from vibration.

Jim, I don't doubt what you're saying at all. I've never thought about it though, all the old JD tractors/engines I've worked on have had steel lines. My question is this, how long will the work harden process take? The reason I ask is I've got copper fuel lines on a few other tractors, one that comes to mind has been on there for at least 7 years and it's probably 6 to 7 feet long with an electric fuel pump in the middle. None of these tractors get ran a lot but what is a general rule of thumb on how long copper will last as a gas line?

[ricky racer]

There's been a lot of discussion regarding gas lines over the years. What is the consensuses is steel line is the safest and longest lasting. Copper cracks and rubber deteriorates. If you use a 5/16" steel brake line, the size is correct and the fitting on the brake lines screw right into the sediment bowl and carb. Pick up a couple of 5/16" brass compression ferrules and your all set. There's lot of post regarding the steel brake lines. Great job on the Cub and the post. it's been a pleasure following you down this road.

Here is the steel gas line on my '53:

[Jim Becker]

My question is this, how long will the work harden process take?

Hard to say. Depends on how much it is used and how bad it vibrates. Cubs generally aren't bad on vibration. I have only had first hand experience with one that failed (within one summer). It was on a single cylinder engine that vibrated a lot.

[Super A]

. . . went with a copper fuel line. . . .

If it is copper colored steel, OK. But if it is really copper, you need to swap it out for steel. Copper will work harden and crack from vibration.

My question is this, how long will the work harden process take?

Well I'm 42 and the copper fuel line on my "pretty" Super A is at least that old. Copper fuel lines IMO are another one of those "sky is falling" kind of things.

Al

[Urbish]

If it is copper colored steel, OK. But if it is really copper, you need to swap it out for steel. Copper will work harden and crack from vibration.

Well I'm 42 and the copper fuel line on my "pretty" Super A is at least that old. Copper fuel lines IMO are another one of those "sky is falling" kind of things.

Al

The problem of a copper fuel line work-hardening is more of an issue with a soft-mounted engine where the engine vibrates but the structure the fuel tank is attached to does not or if they vibrate out of phase; like a car/truck or a generator. I wouldn't worry about it too much on a Cub as everything is rigidly mounted together. I could see one failing if your dash or radiator attachment points are sketchy and the tank/hood are free to wiggle.

[Glen]

Hi,
Very nice restoring, guess it is done, I enjoyed seeing your posts of the work.
This is not a big thing, but the fuel line originally went over the choke rod, not under. I found pics in the Cub owner's manual, it's a little hard to see in the bottom pic, but the right pic shows it.
I don't know if you said how much free play does the steering have at the steering wheel.
I've wondered how much they had when they were new.

http://farmallcub.com/rudi_cub/www.clea ... e%2024.jpg

[Jim Becker]

Well I'm 42 and the copper fuel line on my "pretty" Super A is at least that old. Copper fuel lines IMO are another one of those "sky is falling" kind of things.

Al

Demonstrating that something can work is not the same as proving that it can't fail.

[Super A]

Well I'm 42 and the copper fuel line on my "pretty" Super A is at least that old. Copper fuel lines IMO are another one of those "sky is falling" kind of things.

Al

Demonstrating that something can work is not the same as proving that it can't fail.

Yes but as already stated, the problem is most likely to show up when the line can move around. This won't typically be a problem with the Cub. A steel line can fail under the wrong set of circumstances.

Al

[staninlowerAL]

IMHO this all comes down to risk of failure vs probability of the consequences and what level of risk is acceptable. In this case the consequences of failure can be catastrophic so minimizing the risk lessens the consequences. Steel line is less likely to fail than copper/rubber so that reduces the probability of the catastrophic consequences. The level of acceptable risk varies with the individual and that person's willingness to accept the consequences in the event of a catastrophic failure. I personally factor in the cost of minimizing the risk vs the cost of a catastrophic failure. In this case it is a "no brainer" given the price of a steel brake line and a couple of fittings.

[Slim140]

Hi,

I don't know if you said how much free play does the steering have at the steering wheel.
I've wondered how much they had when they were new.

I don't know how much a new one had but this is what this one has. I lined it up with the headlight and then turned it to the left. I could get a little more play out but this is good enough for me, I could add a washer under the gear inside and take up the play which would probably only be about .010" on the thickness of the washer. I'm not trying to put it back like it was when on showroom floor, just better than it was when I got it.

[Bill Hudson]

I'll settle for that. You continue attention to the small details that make a real difference.

Bill