Cub Tip of the Week!

[Rudi]

Thanks to Dan England for pointing this one out to me

This weeks "Cub Tip of the Week" is courtesy of: :

by danovercash on Thu Nov 13, 2008 11:30 am Post subject: In Madisonville with the Cub

Pressure Washer Pointers

Pressure washers can put water where you don't want it! Be careful around mated surfaces (with or without gasket) and anything electrical. (Don't ask) I like to spray with Varsol or something simular before using strong degreaser. They work together to remove gunk, and won't "burn" the paint as bad. Some degreasers can really do a number on paint. Also pressure washer can destroy a radiator.

[Rudi]

This has got to be one of my favourites

This weeks "Cub Tip of the Week" is courtesy of: :

by Cecil on Sat Nov 15, 2008 3:51 pm Post subject: Checking Timing

How To Time a Cub With a Magneto

Here is the process for timing a mag.

1. Remove #1 spark plug (front plug on engine)
2. Place finger over spark plug hole
3. Turn engine until pointer is in line with notch on flywheel and compression is felt
4. Check mag coupler for proper alignment
5. Install magneto and move against engine block
6. Turn engine 2 revolutions until it lines up with the pointer once again.
7. Slowly rotate magneto away from engine block until a distinct click is heard
8. Tighten magneto. Engine is in time.

[Rudi]

This weeks "Cub Tip of the Week" is courtesy of: :

by BigDog on Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:43 pm Post subject: Is Corky's Cub Cold-Natured, or What??

Loss of Power, or What is WD-40 Good For?

I'd look for condensation inside the distributor cap. It can lead to internal arcing and loss of power. The one and only real good use for WD 40 - clean and spray the inside of the cap.

[Rudi]

This weeks "Cub Tip of the Week" is courtesy of: :

by John *.?-!.* cub owner on Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:43 pm Post subject: Electrical test equipment

How to Properly Use Basic Electrical Diagnostic Tools

Use of both items is pretty simple, which is why I like them being simple minded.

To use the light, simply connect the alligator clip to a good ground, and touch a terminal, fuse, etc in question. Example, lights not working: First touch test lead to hot side of battery to make sure your ground clip is making a good connection. Then with light switch on touch to screw on back of light housing. Light comes on, problem is inside head light. No test light, problem is toward light switch. Next move to light switch and touch to headlight wire terminal there. Light, probably broken wire between there and head light. No light, touch to lug the terminal attaches to. if light, clean connection, no light move to fuse. Touch both ends of fuse. if light on one end, replace fuse and clean holder clips. If light at both ends test again on clip instead of fuse. light on one end and not other, clean clips. Light on both ends, switch is probably bad. No light at either end of fuse, check wiring coming to light switch.

To check for power to ignition, touch to switch side of coil (switch on), which is normally the - side on 6 volts, and + side on 12 volts. No light, move toward ignition switch (checking both ends of dropping resister if you have one), keep moving toward battery until light comes on. When it lights you have passed the problem, whether it is broken wire, bad switch, etc.. If light on hot terminal, move to distributor side of coil. light should go on and off 2 times per revolution when cranking engine, preferably by hand so it is easier to see. Light should be on when points open, and off when points close. Light off all the time, disconnect wire to distributor. If light comes on them, you have a short in distributor, maybe condenser, or points stuck shut, or rarely a shorted insulator where wire enters distributor. If light does not come on, coil is bad. If light is on all the time, check for broken wire between coil and distributor, points burned or dirty so they do not make contact, etc.

For the spark tester, connect it to the tower on distributor coil or mag coil using an extra spark plug wire. Set gap of tester between 1/4 and 3/8 inch. Turn ignition on and crank tractor. Should get spark 2 times per revolution for 4 cylinder engines. if no spark, trouble shoot coil. points, wiring, etc. If proper spark, reconnect coil and connect tester to distributor cap either using the spare wire, or plug one of the spark plug wires into the tester. You should see a spark every other round. If no spark, check cap, rotor, and spark plug wires. If spark, check spark plug. If you get a spark there, check carb. and fuel supply.

[Rudi]

One of our newest members brings us this one

This weeks "Cub Tip of the Week" is courtesy of: :

by sgtbull on Fri Jan 23, 2009 10:18 pm Post subject: Gasket tip...(especially for carbs)

by
Keeping Carburetor Gaskets Pliable and Reuseable

Buying a whole carb kit just to get a bowl gasket is not a happy thing. I've been rebuilding Deere simplex and duplex carbs for about 10 yrs now, and fortunately, all of their gaskets are readily available individually. HOWEVER, I'm a bit of a cheapskate so I hate to replace a gasket that is less than a yr old or so, just because I had a bit of crud get in the carb and I had to take the bowl off, and many carbs are hard to find "just the bowl gasket" for.

I don't remember where I got this trick, but I can't take original credit for it. (When redoing someones carb though, I must admit I don't always give credit where credit is due, and allow myself to look like a "carb guru" to some of my buddies )

The trick is really not much of a trick. Simply coat your bowl gasket on both sides with CHAPSTICK. Yup, plain ol', everyday, run of the mill chapstick. Parafin wax, candle wax or sealing wax will also work, but chapstick is handy, soft, easy to use, and found in about every womans purse in America. (well, while it is probably "IN there", becoming "FOUND" may be a bit more challenging. Before my female readers get incensed, I am only referring to MY wife's suitcase, er, purse.)

It seems the wax in the chapstick is relatively petroleum resistant, and allows disassembly without the gasket adhering to the casting. I have had carbs that I took apart 5 years after rebuilding them, for a good cleaning, and all of the gaskets were still pliable and came right apart without tearing. Its been my luck on untreated gaskets, that when they do adhere, they do so in a matter where one part is to the bowl, and the other part is to the top, resulting in a torn gasket despite my most gentle approach. I've used this on literally dozens of carbs over the years, and as long as you just make a thin film, not a gooey glob on the gasket, you have no problems. FYI.

[Rudi]

This week, we are featuring a common sense tip from another one of our newer members.... A real little gem of a tip to boot

This weeks "Cub Tip of the Week" is courtesy of: :

by Ronny Bailey on Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:06 pm Post subject: Keeping track of drain plugs, etc.

Keeping Track of the Drain Plug

Grunt's funny post about his 3 hour transmission lube change got me thinking. One of his problems was getting a tranny plug mixed up with a steering plug.

I sometimes use little magnets to keep track of where things go. You can stick the drain plug right next to where you took it off. This avoids my bumping the tractor and having it fall on the floor and rolling into the black hole, where my lost socks, money, car keys and common sense sometimes go.

You can buy them lots of places and they're only about a dime apiece. I like the way they stick together so I don't have to dig around the junk drawer.

Just stick them to a piece of metal and they're there when you need them.

In the picture I'm using a magnet from an old computer hard drive. I like them because they're super strong and free.

[Rudi]

I can't believe it has been 8 months since our last tip of the week, I gotta gitittogethersomemore - was cleaning out my PM box and noticed a note from Dan England about this possible tip. Hey, even I understand it, so it has to be a good one So without further ado

This weeks "Cub Tip of the Week" is courtesy of: :

by ricky racer on Wed Mar 18, 2009 1:17 pm Post subject: Low Compression and Valves

Tracing Compression Leaks

A simple way to see where compression is lost is to induce compressed air to each cylinder and see where it leaks from. You can use the threaded end of a compression tester on many brands or make an adapater from an old spark plug that you can attach an air hose to and induce regulated compressed air into each cylinder to see where it's leaking. If you hear air coming out the exhaust, it's leaking past the exhaust valve. If you hear it leaking out the carb, it's leaking past the intake valve. If you hear it leaking out the crank case filler pipe, it's leaking past the rings. Once you know where it's leaking, you'll know what you have to do to "Get-R-Done"!

[Rudi]

I guess I have to apologize again for being a little derelict in my CTotW duties for the last little while. It has been a very hectic summer/fall and things just got put off. Again, I will try to keep this more current, and will add the tips as I see them.

Remember, if you see something that you feel would make a good Tip of the Week, please pm me with a link to the thread/post and I will do my best to put it up ASAP.

This weeks "Cub Tip of the Week" is courtesy of: :

by cowboy on Wed Dec 09, 2009 12:19 pm Post subject: cleaning the starter switch

Cleaning The Starter Switch

The last half of the summer I have been having problems with my starter switch. I did not feel like paying $20 for a new one. So I cleaned the contacts or so I thought :!: I filed the contact on the starter smooth and in the switch housing. I put it back on and still no start. So I went and bought a new one. Put it on and it will once again start. I am not real happy with the quality of the new one. Its not the same size and a lot weaker. The contacts are brass instead of copper and does not work as well as the original when it was working right.

I started thinking about it after I got in the house. I missed something Inside the switch I cleaned one side it has three sides to clean. one that hits the starter that I cleaned. But the other side contacts the stud that battery cable hooks to and I missed it completely. If I had cleaned the stud and the other side of the contact it would have worked.

The red line I drew in the picture points to the two areas I did not clean and needs to be cleaned for good contact and starting.



So if you are having to pull hard on the starter switch to get it to start in may not be the starter but the contacts in the switch.

Happy Cubbin'

Billy

[Rudi]

This weeks "Cub Tip of the Week" is courtesy of: :

by scotlem on Sat Jan 23, 2010 4:3 pm Post subject: cleaning the starter switch

Re-installing Those 3 Rear Oil Pan Bolts

Another Idea for putting it back in is If your universal joint is to floppy to raise up into position with out flopping over and the bolt falling out of the socket. Try taking a piece of heat shrink used for electrical wire and slide it over the universal joint, heat it a little like you would for a wire. Now the universal joint is stiff enough to hold the bolt up with out falling over and flexible enough to still act as a universal joint. Just my opinion, not an expert. Scot

[Rudi]

This weeks "Cub Tip of the Week" is a double tapper and is courtesy of: :

by muleboss on Tue Feb 02, 2010 8:44 pm Post subject: Subject: bling on the hood

How To Remove Emblems

On mine I took

a small hammer and lightly tapped on the pin part from the inside. You might want to spray some wd40 or such on it first. Just be gentle with it. Bob

and

by George Willer on Tue Feb 02, 2010 8:50 pm Post subject: Subject: bling on the hood

How To Remove Emblems

I don't recall ever seeing this addressed. All the emblems can be easily removed by this method... tap the studs from the inside with a very small hammer , tapping each just a little, taking turns.

Congratulations on wisely abandoning the screwdriver method... a sure way to destroy the emblems.

[Rudi]

This weeks "Cub Tip of the Week" is courtesy of: :

by Gary Dotson on Tue Feb 02, 2010 8:44 pm Post subject: Subject: New To The Forum

How To Decide - Hot or Cold Plugs ??

I've always considered the type of duty the tractor will be doing. Mowing for hours on end in the heat of summer, you will want to go with a colder plug. If the duty around the farm entails light duty, the hotter plug will be fine. Cold weather operation, the tractor will likely run better with the hotter plug because the engine will rarely reach proper operating temperature.

[Rudi]

This weeks "Cub Tip of the Week" is courtesy of: :

by Phillip W. Lenke on Mon May 17, 2010 6:04 am Post subject: Another use for toilet paper tubes

How To Not Chip Paint When Changing The Manifold

I was recently removing the manifold and pipe from our 49, I did not want to disrupt the paint around the opening in the sheet metal ,toilet paper tube between the pipe and the hole worked great to protect the paint from chipping.
Phil

[Rudi]

This weeks "Cub Tip of the Week" is courtesy of: :

by artc on Sat May 22, 2010 9:43 am Post subject: cyclinder head bolts

How To Install A Head Gasket Without The Gasket Or Head Moving Around

cut the heads off two of your old long head bolts and install them as guides in the short locations of the block. then the head gasket and the head will not slide around on installation.

[Rudi]

Looks like Art has a double header This one is a real keeper and just plain old good sense

This weeks "Cub Tip of the Week" is courtesy of: :

by artc on Wed Jun 23, 2010 12:58 pm Post subject: documenting your tractor(s)

How To Help The Police Identify Your Cub If It Was Stolen

This has been talked about before, but it came to mind again when I had to go out to my storage container to get the serial # off my Demo Cub.

All of us consider our cubs (and other tractors) to be valuable, but if it was stolen, what would you tell the police? It was a RED Cub?

So, without going into a long dissertation,

Take pictures of your tractors from several angles.
Record the year, make, and serial number of each.
Record the engine serial number, and other casting numbers.
Mark your tractors somewhere hidden from normal viewing, especially if it is a restored piece you intend to keep.
Identify any special features and welds.

In short, anything that would help in recovering your property or proving to the authorities that it belongs to you.

[Rudi]

I wish I could find a tip each week, but unfortunately I do not see them all and am depending on other members for tips to the tips Thanks to jimdawg for catching this one

This weeks "Cub Tip of the Week" is courtesy of: :

by BuzzardWing on Wed Jun 23, 2010 12:58 pm Post subject: Subject: In-dash Fuse Holder

How To Quickly Test For A Short

To find a short,(With the battery disconnected.) a meter with a 'beep' continuity function or a battery powered 'light up' one will work. Ground one end and connect the other to the light switch out wire (or any light wire) and move the wires etc and 'wait for the beep'.