My 1945 Farmall H Makeover

[Stanton]

Am taking this approach for the first time (a restoration thread), so will see how it goes.

Backstory: A friend/neighbor about a 1/2 mile down the road lost his leg in a horrible motorcycle accident last year (2012). He is in his retirement years and had obtained his dad's 1945 H some years before. My friend didn't use it to farm, he just didn't want his dad to be climbing around on it (too old) and getting hurt. I'd inquired a couple times over the year prior to his accident about buying it, but he would always decline. The accident changed everything. Now, his own family convinced him he didn't need to be climbing around on it either. So, I received a phone call in October...the rest of this story is here: http://www.farmallcub.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 76&t=81007

Since cold weather is setting in and I don't have an indoor space in which to work, I'm limited to doing small things...like the oil fill cap.

This is what I had to work with:

It's a series of washers built up to form a cap.

Did some research on the web and found that's not what's supposed to be there. Actually, it should be a stud/post with a solid cap. I got to thinking that a stud/post might hinder adding oil to the hole, so what if the threaded post was a part of the cap?

Did some sketching and put my thoughts on paper, then started cutting out shapes in 1/4" steel:

Then, on to welding it together. First the grade 5 bolt was welded in place and ground flat. Then the "wings" on top of the cap:

I cut a cork ring gasket so the whole thing would fit snug and primed and painted it:

Was pleased.

[Don McCombs]

... it's my first H ...

I like your optimism.
Looks like you did very well. But, judging by what you've done with your other tractors and implements, it won't look like it does now for very long.

I told you so. It has already started!

[Stanton]

I told you so. It has already started!

Heehee. It's gotta start somewhere. Can't get it out of my mind. My fingers are itchin' to tear this bad boy apart.

[Jim Becker]

I got to thinking that a stud/post might hinder adding oil to the hole, . . .

You reminded me of something I hadn't thought of in a long time. My dad had an oil dispensing can/pitcher (whatever it is called) with a hinged spout. It had a can opener inside although we used it mostly with bulk oil. He originally got it to open oil cans when the oil company switched over from glass jars to cans. It was about like (or maybe identical to) this one currently on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-VINTAGE ... 0974138290

Whenever it was used to add oil to an H or M, the spout was slipped over the stud and the stud held it quite nicely.

[Stanton]

Took some parts off the H since winter is here and it's time to go work in the basement where it's warm.

Ammeter/light switch box is next. Wasp (both mud and paper) nests were present inside. PO had cut the wires to/from the box since he didn't use the lights or generator. Ammeter was not connected either, so didn't know if it worked.

Cleaned everything up and tested it; both ammeter and light switch worked fine (which was good news).

Is there any reason to keep the old insulation on the dimmer coil? New ones from Steiner's don't have any (that I saw)...

Welded a piece in the bottom to restrict access by our winged friends from building nests in the future. A 1/2" I.D. grommet ought to be big enough opening for all the wires.

Next was the battery box. It was minus a lid and had a couple nasty cutouts where the PO used a side terminal post 12V battery. Here's how it looked when I pulled it off.

I welded up the openings and a bad corner and ground them down.

Then, drew out on some 16 gauge sheet metal what the top should look like. I looked at several pictures on the web and the Parts Manual to get an idea of how the original should be.

Went ahead and cut the side clearance holes and finished cutting it out.

Hooked up the sheet metal bender and with a little effort got this.

Welded the corners and ground them down. Added the "L" brackets as well.

Now, on to something else...like the steering wheel.

[randallc]

Awesome. Simply awesome.

[Dusti Snider]

Very well done...

[oronc]

Mighty fine work, WELL DONE !!!!

[Buzzard Wing]

The longest journey starts with the first step! Nice!

May your tangles with the 'mushroom theory' be few on your journey.

[Stanton]

Nice weather this past weekend (Thanksgiving holiday) and I had Friday off as well, so some extra time available...is there really such a thing? Anyway, it seemed like a good time to strip the hood and front grill.

Also rented a 2" tap to redress the manifold threads. The existing exhaust pipe had stripped threads and just sat down in the manifold. All those years of wobbling around in there rounded off the manifold threads and/or filled them with black soot. First, I tried using a 2" pipe nipple, but it wouldn't grab and center itself to cut; just kept popping out even with pressure and tapping with a mallet. So, I called the rental shop and rented a 2" pipe tap. It was hefty and by the time I got down a ways, very difficult to turn. Was afraid I would crack the manifold just before I stopped.

But, all is well. Will be able to sport a refurbished manifold/exhaust later. Rental cost: $15 for 3 hours (min). Couldn't buy a new tap or manifold for that!

[Tezell]

Good Work!

[twotone]

great job. That nose and hood look like they're great shape.

[Scrivet]

Did the same pipe tap thing to one of my brothers H's a few years ago. Found out about a year later I should have just replaced the manifold which I ended up doing. I noticed the flat spot on the side just below the exhaust hole started weeping moisture in a U shape when it was started. Tapping on that area sounded like hitting the side of a soda can. Looking very closely you could see a crack where it had rusted almost through from the inside. I guess a combination of condensation and all those years of the exhaust pipe being loose letting moisture in between the pipe and manifold took there toll.

Make sure to use LOTS of antiseeze when you put it back together . On the pipe and the manifold bolts. It should be a very long time before it needs to come back apart and somebody will thank you for it.

[Rabbit Holler Flash]

Lots of antisieze is Scrivets motto. Working on stuff after Scrivets been workin on it is like antisieze heaven. Fyi hot antisieze on manifold smells just like burning skunk till it gets baked. Have to admit nothing I took apart to fix day or too after Scrivet fixes it has ever stuck together LOL

[KETCHAM]

Nice job!!!! Like the brake[metal bender] you had on the work bench!!! I'll be gettin to my H here soon...Has no guts..Think'in from talkin to other guys the Intake/exhaust manifold has a hole in it..Runs great at idle...no power...Going for a major rebuild...Super H stuff..maybe a hotter cam..Want to use it in the tractor pull that I work at.....Looks great...Keep posting!!! Kevin