'55 Cub "Refurbishing"

[Dale Finch]

I'm still in the easy "removal" mode...I take tons of photos, because this pea-brain needs to document how things came apart and in what order!!

Removed old aftermarket lights, already have new teardrops

Pitting & damage, from immersion in the water in the steering gear housing & possibly being installed roughly

Filed the roughest areas, and leading edges of gear to remove any burrs (hard to see, but at least it is smooth to the touch)

As parts are pulled, holes are covered prior to thorough chassis cleaning

Starter removed, need to check/repair/replace switch

[Dale Finch]

Today's puttering...

Made a some new gaskets, and reinstalled the valve cover

Removed the panel

Need to add wires for lights, starter switch, and fuse holder (on order)

A couple dabs of hobby paint to make timing and setting TDC easier

Cork POPS when at TDC...much easier than thumb over hole!! (But suggest you put rag over cork, so you don't lose it!)

All set to remove distributor for cleaning, checking etc.

[RonT]

Great progress and pics Dale!
We're glad to hear your bionic parts are doing well.
And yes, I am looking forward to fulfilling my promise on the radiator.

Ron

[Dale Finch]

...And yes, I am looking forward to fulfilling my promise on the radiator.
Ron

Now all we need is a CUBFEST!!! I'm having withdrawals!

[Scrivet]

Stanton, it WAS running, but "stiffly"!! Meaning throttle stuck then stiff, brakes so-so, steering pulling to one side, wiring disconnected all over, NASTY fluids, RTV gaskets everywhere, etc.

I'm not seeing the reason for the redo here, sounds like an average Cub

Love the idea of the paint dot. Will last longer than my chalk.
Haven't gotten around to designating a cork for TDC yet. With your warning though I think mine will have about a foot long piece of string with a small screw into the cork and the other end tied or glued to something like a refrigerator magnet.

Now all we need is a CUBFEST!!! I'm having withdrawals!

But we ARE having a CUBFEST, we're just a little farther apart than normal. As long as you keep the great pictures and descriptions coming (and don't wait for one of us to pass you a wrench) it's a 2020 version CUBFEST!

[Cubfriend]

Dale, It’s always nice to follow along when you are doing a project. Lots of pictures and details. Keep it coming!

[Dale Finch]

Dale, It’s always nice to follow along when you are doing a project. Lots of pictures and details. Keep it coming!

Oh Frank, be careful what you ask for!!

Getting ready to head out for more puttering, since it's a bit chilly out for the chassis/block cleaning I need to do (now up to 40°). Lots of small parts to clean and get ready to prime when it gets warmer. Since I'm not planning on an overall repaint, most items will just be primed with Rustoleum Rusty Metal Primer, in order to best match it's current patina. It'll stop rust on cleaned parts, as well as making the tractor ready for future painting.

Still waiting for the new radiator and other small parts, anyway.

[Jim in SC]

Great pics and progress on your '55 Dale!. Many of the pictures could be of the '59 I'm currently in the midst of refurbishing. I take tons of pictures too, (for the same reason you gave...), but I'm so lazy or tech-slow, that I have to upload them to a desktop/Windows 10 with Paint to reduce the pixels, hence not many pictures get put on the Forum (I use a Chromebook for day to day computing). That's a long explanation as to why I enjoy looking at your pictures. Keep them coming! Again, great job!

[Dale Finch]

My new radiator and tune-up parts arrived from TM Tractor..like Christmas!! However, a "bit" more work to be done before the fun begins...

OK...where was I...? Ah yes, a few little things: installed the valve cover with new cork gasket, removed the clutch housing and hand hole covers for access during cleaning, removed starter, removed distributor.

Distributor pulled after setting TDC

Adjusted the distributor points to .020" greased the cam and pumped grease into the distributor base and drive housing. It was missing the dust cover, gasket and felt seal, so put in new ones. All else LOOKED good, so closed it up.

Distributor plug replaced with zerk fitting then greased, and swapped back

New distributor parts

These switches are notorious for wearing the contacts...filed as much as I could, but if it's not enough, I have a new switch.

Wear inside the starter switch

Fairly deep arc line on starter "nub"

Filed the contact...hopefully smooth enough to make better contact

[Eugene]

These switches are notorious for wearing the contacts...filed as much as I could, but if it's not enough, I have a new switch.

I elongated the mounting screw holes in a contact switch. This lets the switch slide forward a bit to make a solid contact with the starter post.

[Dale Finch]

Removed the starter cover band (it was pointed out that it was installed upside down anyway...thank you!). Brushes looked OK (as far I I could tell!!) So reinstalled it (correctly), and masked off starter "nub" and data plate for painting: primed then painted black.

Starter masked for paint

Starter primed then painted black

Installed the new seal in the steering shaft seal retainer.

Steering shaft retainer with new seal

Sanded and primed the steering shaft. Then using a section of a Ziploc bag to protect the new seal, I carefully slid the retainer into place.

Sliding retainer into place

Greased the steering worm gear and the seal lip area for easier installation

I manually turned the front wheels fully left, then installed the shaft by "screwing" it in. Worked it fully left and right to make sure it worked well.

Steering shaft installed

Final tasks before it was ready to be "washed": removed the seat/post, to clean up that rusty area, then I pumped oil into the fan housing, turn it around a bit, then turned filler screw hole downward to drain it out. When "empty" I turned the fan with fins up to let the remaining oil drain out around the shaft. Then it should be fairly well flushed, and ready for clean engine oil.

The weather was going to be nice for the next 2 days before it turned rainy and cold, so it was time for its bath...next writeup!!

[Dale Finch]

Although I continue to work on the '55, I have not been updating this thread...so here I am to continue boring you!! Besides, it's cold and rainy, so might as well stay inside the warm house!! I left off with work done in late November, so will pick up there...

I filled the fan hub with engine oil, then drained it out through the filler screw hole, and finally stood it fan blades up so the remaining oil would drain out the shaft. Figured this would be a good way to "change the oil". It'll be refilled after cleaning and installation.

Pumping 30wt engine oil into fan hub

With the tractor stripped down, open holes covered, and nice weather, it was time for a bath and engine flush (top to bottom & bottom to top):

Engine flush, with lower water inlet removed

Later had to remove paint from the mating surfaces of the electrical parts...at least I had plugged the bolt holes!

Primed areas before installing assemblies

I had not used the PTO before teardown, but figure it was a good time to do it...

PTO: broken grease zerk fitting, RTV gasket

...good thing, too!

PTO clutch had fallen off...probably during removal

When I had first brought the tractor home, the rear end was leaking like a sieve. It was way overfilled, so I drained the transmission gear oil (largely water, with milky froth on top! I flushed and replaced the gear oil, but the Clutch had apparently been covered with the floating goo! I plan to run it for a bit, then replace the transmission oil again.

Yuck!!

[Dale Finch]

Disassembled the PTO, to check the bearing and replace the shaft seal. The space between the bearing and the shoulder below it, is the amount the bearing had migrated aft, maybe 1/8-1/4", so I suspect the PTO had been grinding or was not engaging.

Bearing has moved forward on the shaft (spline end down in photo)

Reseated the bearing against the shaft shoulder

Worn off stakes are apparent

The bearing appeared to be OK, so decided to reuse it.

Re-staked the bearing in 4 places

The broken grease fitting in the PTO retainer is a drive-in type, so I simply drove it all the way through the hole with a punch.

Drove out broken off zerk fitting

[Dale Finch]

Although the PTO clutch showed wear, probably from grinding when the shaft moved aft, I decided to use it anyway...mostly because I had no spare, and it's pretty easy to replace later if it is a problem.

Clutch shows wear

I installed the set screw in the clutch, using Blue Threadlocker, to ensure it did not come loose (but did want to be able to remove it if necessary).

PTO assembly in stalled with new zerk fitting and new gasket.

I would like to thank whoever suggested these tap sockets...they are fantastic!! Especially good for getting into areas that preclude using a T-handle.

Cleaned mating surfaces, and chased all threads for grounding and easy reinstallation...using those tap sockets!!

[SONNY]

Hey Dale----Neighbor an I are putting the cultivator on my 56! Gonna use it at our club ( Threshermans Reunion, in Pontiac, IL) to cultivate potatoes that we are going to grow so a member can dig them with his IH digger! lol! ---cleaning it up a bit first but NOT to your specs! LOL!---You are doin great on yours!--- AND NO you are not boring anyone! This is a GREAT thread on your project!