NEW QUESTIONS!! Need help on electrical system please!

[cubguy47]

3. Although not electrical related, what carb kit do I need

You could have 1 of 2 brands of carburetors installed on your Cub. The rebuild kits are not the same for both, look at these pics below and let us know which one is on your cub:

ZENITH brand


IH 3/4" brand

[JRICK]

Welcome to the site! You will enjoy redoing the Cub. I was in the same situation you are when I first started on my Cub,needed alot of information.These guys on this site will help anyway they can...Never would have gotten mine running without their help...Remember to take pictures of the cub as you progress,they will be great to look back at what you started with...Rick

[Don McCombs]

Your first question was answered in Jim Becker's post.

[mrdibs]

I just restored my '48 last year. Wiring harnesses are easy to find, and they usually give serial number ranges so part numbers are less important. There are standard wire kits and braded to look original. Standard is cheaper, of course. Carb kit is easy to find. Surprises for me during restoration were:
- Throwout bearing frozen - if it sat for any length of time, this will probably be the case. It may not be obvious, so check it. Otherwise you'll lose the pressure plate pretty quick. Replace with a sealed unit.
- Old radiators are fragile and new ones are expensive.
- Replacement grills don't fit right. If you have the original, fix it.
- This forum is the best place for find help. Everyone is very knowledgable and will go out of their way to help you.

- Tom

[Jim Becker]

- Throwout bearing frozen -

The original throwout bearing is a graphite block. It does not turn.

[mrdibs]

- Throwout bearing frozen -

The original throwout bearing is a graphite block. It does not turn.

Learn something every day. Mine was so badly worn, I assumed it was supposed to turn. I guess it had just never been greased, or the grease couldn't leech through any more.

[Rudi]

Tom:

The graphite TOB's have to have grease rubbed/absorbed into them before installing them. The cheapest grease available that will breakdown. Like packing a bearing -- gotta rub grease into the graphite, then cover it with a thick coat, let it sit for a few days, rub some more grease into it. Then when it is installed, pump in that cheap grease in a tube -- keep the cheap stuff around cause it breaks down quickly and will absorb into the TOB. Worked for 60 years for many Cubs will work for another 60. Going to the new style bearings is iffy at best. Some have had good luck others not so good.

[Jdbfish]

I have a harness on order. Hopefully all my electrical will work when I get it installed. Is there any way to test the generator with it off the tractor? I have decided to remove the generator and starter and clean them up and repaint. I want to do the same on the magneto but not sure, it's it difficult to get everything back like it should be? Also worried about getting shocked handling it. Any suggestions?
Going to get the parts I need for the tune up and do it over the weekend....

[Mike in Louisiana]

I have a harness on order. Hopefully all my electrical will work when I get it installed. Is there any way to test the generator with it off the tractor? I have decided to remove the generator and starter and clean them up and repaint.

Most Auto electric shops will check your gen or starter for free. Check your local yellow pages

[bob in CT]

I want to do the same on the magneto but not sure, it's it difficult to get everything back like it should be? Also worried about getting shocked handling it. Any suggestions?
Going to get the parts I need for the tune up and do it over the weekend....

Here is a how-to from the Book of Knowledge (CBok link above) on the magneto http://farmallcub.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=44397. It is a good idea to st the engine at TDC before you remove it and leave it there, although sometimes this is not possible. Simple enough if you follow the steps.
If you have a nice blue spark, I would leave it alone. If it needs rebuilding, there are a couple of people here that are experts. Parts are expensive.

[bythepond88]

Here is a how-to on refurbishing starters and generators penned by HL Chauvin.

http://www.farmallcub.com/phpBB2/hlchauvin.php#Rebuilding%20Starters%20and%20Generators

It can be found through the link "Best of HL Chauvin" at the top of the page.

[Jdbfish]

Went to the local alternator and starter repair shop today. They checked the starter, generator, and magneto out for me. Everything works great thank goodness. They did not charge me for checking them and refused my "tip" I offered them, really nice group of people. Tune up is next......

[Denny Clayton]

Went to the local alternator and starter repair shop today. They checked the starter, generator, and magneto out for me. Everything works great thank goodness. They did not charge me for checking them and refused my "tip" I offered them, really nice group of people. Tune up is next......

Well, you sure know who to go to now when you really do need some work done. Right?

[Jdbfish]

Found another local parts store that has all the engine parts for the cub, also. Very friendly and helpfull group of people. Figured out that I have a zenith carb but not going to do anything to it. After the tune up, it runs great!
Will be starting the teardown process for restore next. My daughter(and me too) is eager to get started. Been reading the cbok threads and have learned a lot! Going to fab up some splitting jacks using trailer jacks and 3/8 plate and some bolster wedges to (unless you can buy them already made).
Anyway, that's the latest for now....