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Awake after 25 yrs.....

Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 8:35 pm
by RaymondDurban
This is my grandfathers H, got it running after sitting for over 25 yrs. Needless to say, I've got some issues to take care of, but for the most part she runs pretty good. Cleaned the Mag and Carb, primed the oil pump and it fired right up, even with the "Little Debbie" carb gasket!! Haven't dialed it in, just been running it up and down the road, stretching her legs a bit. The oil pressure is great, but compression is not what I would like it to be. Was 65lbs on all four cylinders before I got it running, so I'm gonna it check tomorrow after running for two days. I also cheated a bit and installed a starter, mainly because I can't find the hand crank. Its around somewhere, just got to lay my hands on it.
My grandfather bought the H new in '45, when my dad was 3 yrs old. The day it was delivered, my dad climbed up on it and fell off and broke his arm!!

Image
Me and Elizabeth took it for a ride today and got alot of waves and conversations. The tractor is running in the photo, and the haze above the engine is a leaking valve cover gasket seeping oil onto the manifold. Getting that fixed tomorrow, along with new hoses and removing the both gas tanks for cleaning, so I can take the pony tank off.

Re: Awake after 25 yrs.....

Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 8:44 pm
by KETCHAM
Real nice!!!! I love it.Don't let her fall off and have what happened to your dad!!! Kevin!!! :twisted: :twisted:

Re: Awake after 25 yrs.....

Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 8:44 pm
by cubguy
Thats cool, keeping the family tractor going. Thanks for the pic and keep us undated.
Kyle

Re: Awake after 25 yrs.....

Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 8:55 pm
by Bigdog
Sweet!

Re: Awake after 25 yrs.....

Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 10:01 pm
by Mr E
Great looking tractor!! Course, with Elizabeth on it, how can it look bad? :||): :||):


Sure do want one 'uv them ole H's. First tractor I ever drove.

Re: Awake after 25 yrs.....

Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 6:16 am
by cubguy's dad
Looks like you have two treasures in that picture.

It is great to see another old H up and going again.

Good Luck with your new project and keep us posted

Mark

Re: Awake after 25 yrs.....

Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 8:10 am
by Hengy
OK, OK, OK...

I have been bitten REALLY BADLY with the bug for a bigger IH tractor, and can actually say that my wife is right there with me... We have GOT to get a place out in the country. I would love to have an H like that one! Congrats on getting it running...I am sure that it was one sweet sound to your ears!!

Mike in La Crosse, WI

Re: Awake after 25 yrs.....

Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 12:49 pm
by Dusti Snider
Congrats on your success, looks like a real nice H. Love seeeing and hearing about the ones that have a story to tell...

The H is a nice size tractor, very practical...

Dusti

Re: Awake after 25 yrs.....

Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 6:57 pm
by Kodiak
Looks Great Raymond :!: Look foward to seeing you and Miss Elizabeth in October.....be here before we know it :D

Re: Awake after 25 yrs.....

Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 8:09 pm
by RaymondDurban
Thanks fellas for the comments. This is something I have had on the "to-do" list for quite some time. My dad talked me into jumping into it couple weeks ago, so first was the rear tires. Replaced the tubes and cleaned up and painted the rims.
Got the valve cover oil leak fixed today, along with the water leaks. Drove it around some. Checked compression, I'm up to 90 on all cylinders, and then drove it around some more. :D
Haven't found the hand crank yet, but did some nosing around and found the belt pulley, PTO shield, manifold heat shield, and seat post tool box.

Mike, after I get the rest of the bugs worked out of this one, I've got two M's waiting!!

Re: Awake after 25 yrs.....

Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 11:14 pm
by Mr E
Screwstick wrote:Thanks fellas for the comments. This is something I have had on the "to-do" list for quite some time. My dad talked me into jumping into it couple weeks ago, so first was the rear tires. Replaced the tubes and cleaned up and painted the rims.
Got the valve cover oil leak fixed today, along with the water leaks. Drove it around some. Checked compression, I'm up to 90 on all cylinders, and then drove it around some more. :D
Haven't found the hand crank yet, but did some nosing around and found the belt pulley, PTO shield, manifold heat shield, and seat post tool box.

Mike, after I get the rest of the bugs worked out of this one, I've got two M's waiting!!


Two M's?? Hey pal, you wanna share with your buddies? :lol: :lol:

Re: Awake after 25 yrs.....

Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:46 am
by Dusti Snider
I figured once you got the ol girl out and stretched her legs abit she'd tighten up. Likely stuck compression rings.

I need to find a handcrank for my M as well, and a seat post tool box...I guess mine rusted off years ago. Finding the belt pulley and the PTO shield saved you alot. Keep us up to date.

Dusti

Re: Awake after 25 yrs.....

Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 10:27 am
by beaconlight
Glad to hear your success.

Re: Awake after 25 yrs.....

Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 12:34 pm
by Rudi
Raymond:

It is pretty special when you can bring back to life an old member of the family. Congrats :applause: on getting your Granddad's H running after all this time. Brings back lots of memories huh :?:

Re: Awake after 25 yrs.....

Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 1:03 pm
by spadra
After a bit of fiddling around, the 'ole H comes alive after 25 years. What's the chance that one of today's bells / whistles / electronics-laden tractors would come alive after sitting for 25 years with just a bit of tinkering?

Simple is good! :mrgreen: