Starting the Reassembly of my '48 Super A

[Danny D]

Dale, I am in the same process with my Granddads Farmall 300. So far I have about $5000.00 in my project. I have used NOS parts, original used parts or high quality USA made parts only. I refuse to put anything made in china on this tractor. That stuff costs too much. If you dont mind telling, how much do you think your project has cost?

[Dale Finch]

I made the mistake of adding up just the receipts I have for parts, and have about the same amount you do! That didn't count any of the $100's spent on tools like air tools, tubing benders, helicoils, large sizes of wrenches, sockets and hammers, etc! It always amuses me when someone asks if I am doing this to sell it! Hell, I would be the world's worst business person to spend 2 to 3 times what a tractor is worth restoring it!!!!! Truth is, it WILL be a working tractor (mowing) and I enjoy mechanical things, and seeing a piece of machinery resurrected. And it gives me a reason to get up in the morning, keeps me busy.

The ideal situation would be if someone had unlimited money, and paid me to fix a tractor up, but I could work at my own pace!!

Dale F

[dgrapes59]

Looking good Dale, you are doing a first class job! Don't ya love it when the paint goes on, kind of the light at the end of the tunnel!

Thanks for the updates,

[Rudi]

Dale:

That SA is really coming together nicely. Pretty soon Bubba's going to be going to town Looks really sharp. You are doing a really good job on the SA. You know that - more of em too

[artc]

looking real nice Dale.

i don't think there's any danger of mine being finished before yours, since i'm still in primer and doing the bodywork now.

[Dale Finch]

Looking good Dale, you are doing a first class job! Don't ya love it when the paint goes on, kind of the light at the end of the tunnel!

Especially this time to cover that PINK!

I ended up swapping the oil pan I had on "Bubba" for the spare (slightly better condition), but this entailed banging out some dents, filling some divits, and (to come) repainting:

A little more filler:


And while I had the oil pan off, I decided to clean the oil screen:


Getting the front put back together:


New belts:






And today I was tending to the "bodily" fluids...transmission:

FULL!

STEERING, full:

But when I filled one of the finals, OOPS! It bagan to pee out through a tiny pinhole!

I have to wait until tomorrow when it has drained out, remove it and patch it up. Unfortunately, BOTH spares are in worse condition. Oh well...

Dale F

[Boss Hog]

Dale I expect you should replace it , if it is thin enough for one hole it will surely have more later on

Boss

[Dale Finch]

I had been thinking the same thing...do you happen to have one?

DaleF

[Boss Hog]

Yes I do, it is on a good finial, but we we will work out something, you coming in Oct?

[Dale Finch]

I AM!! I am sending a PM.

Dale F

[Dale Finch]

I filled the steering gear reservoir with 90 wt gear oil 2 days ago, and when I came back the next morning (yesterday) there was a large puddle under it. This was NOT what I wanted to see, especially after the Final leaking. This unit had a new seal put in and I THOUGHT I was careful during assembly, but maybe not. SO, I began disassembly...took the front axle off then the steering arm, and than crawled under to see what was going on. It LOOKED like it was leaking around the outside of the seal, rather than the lip of the seal itself. Has anyone seen this? Can I remove the seal without further disassembly? (i.e. splitting the two housings apart to remove the worm gear shaft. I REALLY don't want to do that!!) Perhaps drill a couple holes for screws then pull it out? Will a new seal do any better? I was pretty sure there wasn't any scoring around the seat.

Any ideas? I have already ordered a replacement seal from IH...should be here Monday, hopefully! (along with the new Final oil pan gasket!!) I filled the Touch Control reservoir today...gee it has ALL weekend to drain that out onto the floor!!!!!!!

Dale F

[Super A]

I filled the steering gear reservoir with 90 wt gear oil 2 days ago, and when I came back the next morning (yesterday) there was a large puddle under it. This was NOT what I wanted to see, especially after the Final leaking. This unit had a new seal put in and I THOUGHT I was careful during assembly, but maybe not. SO, I began disassembly...took the front axle off then the steering arm, and than crawled under to see what was going on. It LOOKED like it was leaking around the outside of the seal, rather than the lip of the seal itself. Has anyone seen this? Can I remove the seal without further disassembly? (i.e. splitting the two housings apart to remove the worm gear shaft. I REALLY don't want to do that!!) Perhaps drill a couple holes for screws then pull it out? Will a new seal do any better? I was pretty sure there wasn't any scoring around the seat.

Any ideas? I have already ordered a replacement seal from IH...should be here Monday, hopefully! (along with the new Final oil pan gasket!!) I filled the Touch Control reservoir today...gee it has ALL weekend to drain that out onto the floor!!!!!!!

Dale F

My Super A did the same thing. I just pumped the steering gear box full of grease gun grease. Some say that's a no-no but works fine for me. THe next one I do, I am going to try John Deere corn head grease. It's a little bit thinner than gun grease but heavier than 90 wt.

Al

[Dale Finch]

My Super A did the same thing. I just pumped the steering gear box full of grease gun grease. Some say that's a no-no but works fine for me. THe next one I do, I am going to try John Deere corn head grease. It's a little bit thinner than gun grease but heavier than 90 wt.Al

But had you JUST replaced the seal? Or was that a "fix" for an existing problem? I did add a couple shots of grease to the fitting at the top for the upper bearing, but really don't want to just pack the housing. Since it is apart now, I want to find out why it leaked. When I replaced the seal during the Cub restoration, it worked fine! Not a drop...so far!

Dale F

[Super A]

Brand new seal and shaft.

Al

[Boss Hog]

Brand new seal and shaft.

Al

Should not leak with new shaft and seal