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Where should I start?

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Mike CA

05-10-2007 17:20:44




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I'll be moving my '44 H to my friend's farm this weekend to start working on it. I think my first priority will be to get the tractor up and running so I can better evaluate its internal mechanical condition so I can find things to fix prior to tearing it down for a restoration. (Tell me if I'm correct with that). What I know is that the tractor is not running. I couldn't check to ensure the engine is loose because the hand crank arm is broken. I tried to turn the fan, but it slips on the pulley. - What other methods can I ensure the engine is loose?
Once I know it's loose, I need to fill it with oil. - How much oil does an H take?
- What kind of oil should I use in 100 degree temps? After that's done, I need to get it started. - What do I check first?
- And then what?
- What tools will I need?
- What else will I need?

I'm excited! I'm finally going to get my hands dirty on a tractor! First time in my life! WOO HOO!

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glennster

05-11-2007 05:57:31




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 Re: Where should I start? in reply to Mike CA, 05-10-2007 17:20:44  
couple other things ya may wanna do before you try and start er up mike, after you oil her up like the other guys posted and get her broke loose, i'd drop the bowl down off the carburetor and clean the crud out with a spray can of carb cleaner, gently raise and lower the float to be sure its not stuck, clean the sediment bowl under the fuel tank, it has a wire bail that holds the glass bowl on, unscrew the nut on the bottom and swing the bail away. put a little fuel in it after you get the bowl back together, and open the valve to see if gas comes out in the carb. you should get a good flow, if not you got some cleanin to do. then pull a spark plug, crank the motor over and see if you get spark, if so good so far. last thing i'd do is pull all the spark plugs, put yor finer in each spark plug hole, crank engine and check for compression, it should push your finger out. kind of a quick check to see if any valves are stuck. if you look good so far, button everything up, have the wife and kids plan an escape route and fire her up!!!!! !!!!! !!!!!

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Mike CA

05-11-2007 08:23:47




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 Re: Where should I start? in reply to glennster, 05-11-2007 05:57:31  
*copy + paste*

Added to my To-Do list for the troubleshooting checklist.

Thanks Glenn!



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Boyero

05-11-2007 00:56:11




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 Re: Where should I start? in reply to Mike CA, 05-10-2007 17:20:44  
I, too, just acquired a 1943 FarmAll H (I assume it"s "43, or perhaps slightly later - the operator manual is dated to July 5th of "43). We want to get it working for working"s sake. The forum here looks to be a great resource, and I plan to add as much as I take.



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GordoSD

05-10-2007 19:16:34




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 Re: Where should I start? in reply to Mike CA, 05-10-2007 17:20:44  
You should start by getting a manual. IT or other. I have an extra, 1943 H manual for u for cheap. I don't think you can get this job done without a little reading. We're not going to force feed you on every little detail. That said, with MANUAL in hand. replace all the fluids, get it running, enjoy the puppy. and then start the resoration as needed. Are there any TSC stores nearby? I was in mine today and they had THREE great books on restoring Farmalls. Do this like you would a job in the Navy. Get the book out and follow the steps. I'll be the SCPO wathing over you

Gordo

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Mike CA

05-10-2007 22:27:17




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 Re: Where should I start? in reply to GordoSD, 05-10-2007 19:16:34  
What's a TSC store? Tractor Supply... ?? I really don't know.

...and I'm embarrassed. third party image I own "How to restore classic Farmall tractors" by Tharran Gaines. I forgot about it until you mentioned books because I put it away a while back. I just dug it out and am flipping through it for tips. Thanks for the kick in the pants.

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Mike CA

05-10-2007 22:19:24




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 Re: Where should I start? in reply to GordoSD, 05-10-2007 19:16:34  
I'm breaking down and going to put the Operator's manual and service manual (from Binder... they are doing a Military Discount for me) on my credit card. I'll be ordering in the morning.
If the Admiral (ComNavWifePac) finds out about this, I will go to the brig. I'm already in hot water that I bought it. hehehe



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CNKS

05-10-2007 19:16:16




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 Re: Where should I start? in reply to Mike CA, 05-10-2007 17:20:44  
You are 6 feet+ and in good physical shape? Put it in 5th and push on one of the rear tires and see if the fan moves. You should not pull a stuck tractor. Or jack one side up and try to turn the wheel with it in 5th. Or put a charged battery on it and use the starter. You're going to have to do that if you can't crank it anyway.



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Mike CA

05-10-2007 22:34:31




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 Re: Where should I start? in reply to CNKS, 05-10-2007 19:16:16  
6'4" and am in fine shape. Have you been stalking me?



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Steven@AZ

05-10-2007 17:52:43




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 Re: Where should I start? in reply to Mike CA, 05-10-2007 17:20:44  
I agree with old on using a cheap oil to get it up and running/flush the engine out. An H holds 6 quarts of oil.

When you are going to put some "good" oil in it, I would go with a quality 15w-40 diesel rated oil. Why diesel rated? Diesel engine oils have the zinc in them that a flat-tapped camshaft needs. New gasoline rated oils do not because the zinc harms catalytic converters.

Check the rearend gear oil to see if there is any water in it. Should be brown or black - if there is water in it there will be a "milky" appearance.

You can pull it with your pickup/SUV to see if it turns over. Only use 5th gear on the tractor for this or you will spin the engine too fast. Make sure the brakes are in good working order!!!!

Once you have it running, warm it up good to be sure the cooling system works well and that it holds good oil pressure even when hot. My overhauled H will run 70psi all day long, even in 100 degree weather. At idle hot it comes down to 60psi. They were factory spec at 75psi oil pressure.

Once you know you have good oil pressure, then you can shut it down and pull the spark plugs and do a compression check. This will help verify that the engine is recently overhauled.

Other things to check when it is running... listen for any whines, clunks, bangs, knocks, etc. Check to see if the PTO engages and works. Drive around in every gear listening for a clunk that would signal a chipped or broken gear tooth. You can also check to see if it pops out of any gears.

Drive in first or second gear and make a couple sharp turns each way listening for noises again. Noises while turning would signal a problem with the differential gears.

Oh yeah - take LOTS of pictures! Always snap a few shots right away when you get it home so you have good "before" shots. I always seem to start tearing down before I get a good picture...

I'm sure others will chime in with more things to check...

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Mike CA

05-10-2007 18:22:29




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 Re: Where should I start? in reply to Steven@AZ, 05-10-2007 17:52:43  
Steve, good list. Thanks. I'm going to ask a specific question in a new thread so I can concentrate in that area.



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Andy Martin

05-10-2007 17:46:49




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 Re: Where should I start? in reply to Mike CA, 05-10-2007 17:20:44  
Be careful pulling on the fan, you can damage it.

The easy thing is to put it in fifth gear and rock it. Do this with the ignition off just in case it should fire you don't want it driving without you on it.

20w50 is a good oil as well. It is not too thick at operating temperatures.



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old

05-10-2007 21:28:18




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 Re: Where should I start? in reply to Andy Martin, 05-10-2007 17:46:49  
Turning by hand its next to impossiable to damage a fan. If you can put that much force on it then your a very big boy. I know I have never been able to even begain to bend a fan blade by hand and at one time I could brake cement blocks with my bare hands



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old

05-10-2007 17:29:44




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 Re: Where should I start? in reply to Mike CA, 05-10-2007 17:20:44  
Some times to turn the engine with the fan you have to use one hand on the fan and the other one on the belt to push it tight. You can also set a battery in it and hit the starter button to see if it turns over. And yes the first place to start is to get it running then go from there. Takes 6 qts of oil. To start with I would use a 30W oil say from wal-mart just to get it up and running then change it after an hour or 2 of running, that way you clean out the rust and sludge that might be in it. I would also put about a 1/2 cup of tranny fluid in each cylinder just to prelube the top of the engine and to free up any stuck ring etc.

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Andy Martin

05-10-2007 17:49:23




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 Re: Where should I start? in reply to old, 05-10-2007 17:29:44  
A half cup might be a bit much, a couple of squirts from a oil can can be plenty to start. You don't want to fill the combustion chamber and hydraulically lock it.



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old

05-10-2007 21:18:22




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 Re: Where should I start? in reply to Andy Martin, 05-10-2007 17:49:23  
Been doing this for many years and I tell people a 1/2 cup but when I do it I fill the cylinders. I like to make sure its well covered but I also don't try to turn it over with the plugs in doing so is just plain stupid



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