Super H Low Oil Pressure?

MWZad · Jan 19, 2011

I have a 1953 Super H that I am in the process of restoring. Mechanically it is a great tractor and was well taken care of by previous users and just needs some cosmetic work. The one thing that needs attention besides a new wiring harness is that it seems to have low oil pressure. After start up the oil pressure is around the middle of the gauge then after a few minutes it drops to right where the redline starts on the gauge. I have not really gone in depth to try to see what is exactly going on because of the weather we have been having lately. I did notice that there is oil seeping through the gasket and forming on the oil pan bolt heads. I do have a new gasket that I am going to install this weekend when I change the oil and filter. If anyone has any ideas on some areas to check and some common causes for when I am working on the tractor this weekend, that would be greatly appreciated. I will say that I am relativly new to the antique tractors and since reviewing and joining this site I am already looking for the next purchase! :lol:

Thanks,

-Mike

glennster · Jan 19, 2011

when you drop the pan, take a look at the oil pump. often the pump gears wear into the lower cover. some emery cloth and a thick sheet of glass and you can resurface it flat. you will need a lower cover gasket.

El Toro · Jan 19, 2011

You may need new cam bearings. Make sure the screen on the oil pump isn't full of sludge blocking the oil flow. Hal

rustred · Jan 19, 2011

all of the above. basically low oil pressure tells you the engine brgs. are worn. such as oil pressure dropping off when engine gets warm.

MisterT · Jan 19, 2011

(quoted from post at 19:31:57 01/19/11) when you drop the pan, take a look at the oil pump. often the pump gears wear into the lower cover. some emery cloth and a thick sheet of glass and you can resurface it flat. you will need a lower cover gasket.

Glennster has the fix. Remove the pump, turn it upside down and secure it in a vice before you remove that bottom cover. My 1950 H had the same problem. I resurfaced that bottom cover and now the oil pressure is almost like a new one.

Allan in NE · Jan 19, 2011

Mechanically, it just "isn't" a great tractor.

If the oil pressure drops after the thing warms up, you're loosing pressure somewhere. Most often, the bottom end bearings.

Allan

MWZad · Jan 19, 2011

(quoted from post at 12:30:58 01/19/11) Mechanically, it just "isn't" a great tractor.

If the oil pressure drops after the thing warms up, you're loosing pressure somewhere. Most often, the bottom end bearings.

Allan

Mechanically, the tractor as a whole it is not bad. Thanks for all the advice guys, I am going to try to fix the easy things first then if it still does not seem to help then I will look into replacing the bearings... I really don't look forward to doing that

shawnm · Jan 19, 2011

(quoted from post at 11:26:04 01/19/11) I have a 1953 Super H that I am in the process of restoring. Mechanically it is a great tractor and was well taken care of by previous users and just needs some cosmetic work. The one thing that needs attention besides a new wiring harness is that it seems to have low oil pressure. After start up the oil pressure is around the middle of the gauge then after a few minutes it drops to right where the redline starts on the gauge. I have not really gone in depth to try to see what is exactly going on because of the weather we have been having lately. I did notice that there is oil seeping through the gasket and forming on the oil pan bolt heads. I do have a new gasket that I am going to install this weekend when I change the oil and filter. If anyone has any ideas on some areas to check and some common causes for when I am working on the tractor this weekend, that would be greatly appreciated. I will say that I am relativly new to the antique tractors and since reviewing and joining this site I am already looking for the next purchase! :lol:

Thanks,

-Mike

Do you plan on working the tractor or is it just a paradelight duty yard work tractor?

A drop in oil pressure once the oil warms up is normal. Do you have any noise in the engine that would indicate low pressure? Knocking, tapping? Fist thing I would do is get a new gauge that will go as low as 5lbs of pressure on idle. Maybe your gauge is bad or the sending unit is bad or dirty? I have had engines that run great and showed 50 psi+ when cold and less then 10psi at a hot idle. Heavier oil and I increased the psi by 5-10 lbs. If you're not going to work it hard and it's not rattling leave it alone and enjoy it. My .02

rustred · Jan 19, 2011

definitly not normal for oil pressure to drop off when warm.that tells you have increased brg clearance and the pump cant hold the pressure. at idle the guage still should be around 3/4 to the end, not dropping to 1/4. these guages are manual oil operated without sending units.what you are saying about your tractor by increasing with heavier oil is true because your brgs are worn also.

MWZad · Jan 19, 2011

Appreciate the input guys. The oil pressure drop does bother me. There are no rattles or unusual noises coming from the engine, it sounds pretty much like they all do. If I stared to hear the lifters rattle that would definitely bother me. I really would like to stay away from doing major engine work just because of the money, time, tools and just do not know if I am capable of it. All I plan on using the tractor for is show and maybe some light work around my property. Like I said before, I pretty much just got involved with the antique tractors. This weekend I hope to do a little more disassembling and hopefully get a better idea.

-Mike

gene bender · Jan 19, 2011

Thats normal for one that age. You could get a new guage with pressure and try that it probably still has plenty of pressure to operate good.

shawnm · Jan 19, 2011

(quoted from post at 14:15:40 01/19/11) definitly not normal for oil pressure to drop off when warm.that tells you have increased brg clearance and the pump cant hold the pressure. at idle the guage still should be around 3/4 to the end, not dropping to 1/4. these guages are manual oil operated without sending units.what you are saying about your tractor by increasing with heavier oil is true because your brgs are worn also.

Hot oil take less pressure to push through the motor. Cold oil takes more pressure to push through the motor. Look at the oil gauge in your own vehicle on a cold morning, works just the same.

In the summer I will run heavier oil to keep the pressure up while under load and lighten up in the winter to save starving the motor on startup.

Heavier oil gives me the false sense of security that my 50 yr old tractor still runs like a new one.

Janicholson · Jan 19, 2011

Pay attention to Glenster below. There is a history of these having worn and warped pump covers. The gears should have .001 to .0005" clearance between the gear and the end cover. It is adjusted with thin shim gaskets (IH has them).
Using 15-40 oil will also make a difference.
10-40 oil if it is way cold where you are.
Jim

Bob M · Jan 19, 2011

My '53 SH had the same problem when I acquired it. Cause turned out to be a worn oil pump cover and a partially blown out cover gasket.

I removed the wear marks on the gear side of the cover with careful sanding with 160 grit paper laid the on a sheet of plate glass. Then when reassembling I used a new, thinner cover gasket. Now oil pressure right where it should be even when the engine is hot.

Lloyd Sorlien · Jan 19, 2011

The super H was a really good tractor in its day. We pulled 3/14 plow with mine. as for oil pressure, maybe check out the gauge first.

LarryT · Jan 20, 2011

Glennster, I did one a while back and what I used as a gasket was Hylomar and Silk thread. Had a .001 clearance and the pressure was on the high side. LarryT

LarryT · Jan 20, 2011

Anonymous-0 · Jan 20, 2011

Go with the oil pump cover & gasket first. I have a Super A & H and that was the problem on both. Now have great preasure on both tractors.I think this is common problem on IH tractors.

MWZad · Jan 20, 2011

I will give it a shot and see how it goes this weekend. Hopefully I will snap a couple of pictures and post them on the board. Appreciate all of the help!

-Mike

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