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Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum
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To overhaul the engine or not... that is the quest

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Mike CA

10-31-2006 15:16:12




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So I've moved into my new house. And the long list of things we need to buy for the house keeps growing. So my financial situation becomes more and more bleak as the weeks roll along. Right now I'm really worried that I will not be able to properly finance the restoration of my H. I am buying a bunch of parts that I need from a local guy, and I'm struggling to come up with the money... and that's just parts!

So, I've been thinking about my project. I want build a really really nice show-stopping H. I asked myself what the #1 priority I have for the tractor is. My answer: The paint. The tractor currently runs, but it isn't perfect. So, I assumed I would just buy an overhaul kit and rip into it. However, I was told I could drop $1500 into the engine alone! So, that got me asking myself do I really need to overhaul the engine?

- What indications do I look for to tell me if I need to overhaul the engine or not.

- If I don't overhaul the engine, what can/should I do to it to make it run the very best that I can?

- Why on earth did I buy a Farmall to restore? I think I have gone insane.

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Mike CA

10-31-2006 22:16:16




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 Re: To overhaul the engine or not... that is the q in reply to Mike CA, 10-31-2006 15:16:12  
No real smoke to speak of, so I'll check the oil and water next time I'm up there. If I don't overhaul the engine, will changing the electrical system have a big effect on the engine? One of the things I planned on doing was swapping it back to an original 6v system. However, someone told me that I could/should keep it 12v, but that I could get a 12v generator, and a 12v battery that fits in a 6v box. I don't know bupkiss about electrical systems, so I really don't know what to do. All I know is that the 12v battery hanging off the side looks like crap, and the alternator they jerry rigged looks half-a$$.

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Paul G. in Mn

11-01-2006 14:00:17




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 Re: To overhaul the engine or not... that is the q in reply to Mike CA, 10-31-2006 22:16:16  
before id mess to much with the chargeing system Id clean and rebuild the carb then new plugs, wires, points and condenser, id also look at the distibitor cap. once you have it purring like a kitten then id work on the chargeing system. I am restoring a 39 M right now and have decided to go 12 volt on it. I put 12 volt bulbs in the lights, going get a 12 volt generator and use the 12 volt battery. I am not doing anything with the starter. It will look the same as a 6 volt set up but like how it easy it starts on 12 volt. Just my 2 cents

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Paul G. in Mn

10-31-2006 16:12:38




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 Re: To overhaul the engine or not... that is the q in reply to Mike CA, 10-31-2006 15:16:12  
Mike, does this engine smoke? if it doesnt then id take a look after it has sat for a while at the oil, crack the oil plug and look for any evedence of any water or antifreeze. If both these are ok then id just do a good tune up. Id go through the carb and new plugs wires and points and such. By the sounds of it you are not going to over work this old girl so that is were id start with out going head over heals into a rebuild

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old

10-31-2006 15:51:41




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 Re: To overhaul the engine or not... that is the q in reply to Mike CA, 10-31-2006 15:16:12  
First place I would start is a good tune up and carb rebuild. Then if it still doesn't run right do a compression check. Readings should be around 120PSI plus but they will still run well a little below that. Then just go from there. Theres a lot of little thing that if not right will keep one from running good and still not cost all that much to fix

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Tom Windsor

10-31-2006 16:26:16




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 Re: Compression in reply to old, 10-31-2006 15:51:41  
Here I go thinking agan!

"I thought" that compression in the range of 80 PSI was tops and down as low as 60 PSI it would still work??! Am I all wet?

TW



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Steven@AZ

10-31-2006 16:41:16




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 Re: Compression in reply to Tom Windsor, 10-31-2006 16:26:16  
I have good running engines at 80 psi or less.

My fresh overhaul H with step head pistons (but a distillate head) had 115 psi. I need to check again now that it is broke-in.

Go to the link below and click on "tune up info" for information including psi compression for many IH tractors.



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old

10-31-2006 16:35:25




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 Re: Compression in reply to Tom Windsor, 10-31-2006 16:26:16  
That might be true on a distalite engine but I think on the stright gas engines its up at the 120PSI area



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Tom Windsor

10-31-2006 16:50:26




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 Re: Compression in reply to old, 10-31-2006 16:35:25  
The referenced tune up page above has some good information. I was not thinking accoring to specifications. Sure enough, top of the line is 120 psi for the 152 gas engine. As a note, however, I have one out there that I am getting about 80 PSI on and runs well and does not smoke...but apparently, I am not getting full efficiency.

So young man, you can get some serious and more than likely, correct answers! :-)

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jal-SD

10-31-2006 15:39:40




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 Re: To overhaul the engine or not... that is the q in reply to Mike CA, 10-31-2006 15:16:12  
I agree with Al L, they are tough old girls and will do lots of work, even if they are not 100%. Use it for what you need it and rebuild it when you can. (My $0.02 worth. jal-SD)



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Al L. in Wisc.

10-31-2006 15:31:51




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 Re: To overhaul the engine or not... that is the q in reply to Mike CA, 10-31-2006 15:16:12  
You can begin by checking the compression. Check plugs/wires/points/battery and connections making sure things are "shiny and tight". Clean gas tank/carburator w/good gas. Adjust carburator for proper idle/work-play speed. Brakes and clutch smooth and trouble free. Working gauges so you can keep an eye on things. I"m a gauge watcher-tractors/personal vehicles. Clean fluids/filters. Tight steering. As you may have read on other postings, paint can hide a lot of flaws. My opinion is have a sound operating tractor and when $$"s and time permit, you can get the tractor out of its "work clothes" In the mean time, do these things and in your spare time, work on the house, after all, THAT is why you bought that wonderful red Farmall tractor. And here you wondered about posting a serious question. Have fun and enjoy.

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RUSS HAMM

10-31-2006 15:43:14




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 Re: To overhaul the engine or not... that is the q in reply to Al L. in Wisc., 10-31-2006 15:31:51  
mike, al is right on. play with the tractor and be patient. fix the house and keep the wife happy. you will find out it is a lot better than what i did. i put off things on the house and restored a tractor a year for about 15 years and now the house work is past due. the wife has been very patient but now i am selling tractors and parts just to fix up the house. if you can do the tractor a little at a time and the house now, you can both enjoy the house and not worry about it when the tractor overhaul time comes. good luck.

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