F12 High Oil Pressure!

[Blueskypilot]

The oil pressure on '37 F12 goes to the far right of the gauge, even at an idle. I just bought this tractor, so learning about the F12. What should I be looking at?

It's got an International engine.

Any help would be appreciated!

[Gary Dotson]

I don’t know where it would be located but it should have an oil pressure regulator, which could be stuck. You’ll probably have to refer to a service manual to find the location. It may be along the lower area of the block but it may be integral with the pump, inside the pan. Hopefully someone else will know more than I, I haven’t worked on one of these for 50 years.

[Don McCombs]

Some manuals are available at http://www.binderbooks.com .

[Jim Becker]

The first thing I would do is verify the actual pressure with a known good gauge that is marked in PSI. Normal pressure for an F-12 is 30-40 pounds. You may have a failed/failing gauge. It is also possible that someone, in trying to get a correst looking gauge, installed one from an F-20 or other tractor with a similar oil system. Normal pressure in an F-20 is only a couple pounds and the gauge is scaled accordingly.

Is there an IH part number showing on your gauge?

[Blueskypilot]

Thanks for the info on the gauges. I'll replace the gauge once I locate the proper unit. I'll call Rice Equipment. They list two, but both for F20s, so good to know theirs a difference.

My current gauge show's 10 lbs with the engine off, so obviously uncalibrated. When running, even at idle, the needle is all the way to the right, 80 lbs.

I pulled off the oil filter housing and after careful inspection I noticed that the oil pressure spring and the by-pass spring are obviously cut from one spring, which leads me to believe that they're not original parts. Anyone know where I can buy replacement springs?

[Jim Becker]

Part numbers may help find them. The bypass spring is 24487D and the pressure spring is 30923D (tractors FS 40725 and up). Parts Depot has the bypass spring which can be ordered by most CaseIH dealers. You can contact the usual sources for the order part (Rice, Bates, etc.) to see if they have the pressure spring or maybe both.

By the way, the original gauge was 31041DB (tractors FS 41591 and up). I just noticed that is the same as the early Cub. Based on what I said before about pressure, it must be nearly pegged by an engine with good pressure.

[Sailor]

I have a 38' F14 and I buy most of my parts from either Rice or Fordson house. Good luck with your build.