Does adjusting the governor on Farmall H=extra hp?

VII Gen. Farmer · Feb 7, 2011

Hi I own a 1948 Farmall H and possibly looking to give it a little horsepower boost without altering the tractor any more than necessary, and I've heard other people say that they can get their Farmall H to run higher than factory rpms to get more horsepower. I do know that the factory rating for rpms is around 1650 rpms some may turn up a little more,some a little less but I have heard various sources claimiming engine speeds of 2000 rpms or more. Im not sure whether this is entirely true or if you would just damage the engine that way,if it is ok to do I might be tempted to try it but I need an experts advice on the subject as I would rather be safe than sorry. Thanks

Faster346 · Feb 7, 2011

(quoted from post at 22:29:19 02/07/11) Hi I own a 1948 Farmall H and possibly looking to give it a little horsepower boost without altering the tractor any more than necessary, and I've heard other people say that they can get their Farmall H to run higher than factory rpms to get more horsepower. I do know that the factory rating for rpms is around 1650 rpms some may turn up a little more,some a little less but I have heard various sources claimiming engine speeds of 2000 rpms or more. Im not sure whether this is entirely true or if you would just damage the engine that way,if it is ok to do I might be tempted to try it but I need an experts advice on the subject as I would rather be safe than sorry. Thanks

I'm no Farmall engine expert, but I'd guess if it was safe to run them at 2,000 rpm then they would run them at a max of 2,000 rpm instead of 1,650. Perhaps others will chime in with personal experience. I know there's some little tricks you can do. I think people swap 350 heads on? Or a Farmall Super H manifold and carb, things like that.

Cedric · Feb 8, 2011

1650 is the full load rpm"s. Maximum no load rpm"s are 1815 which is what you set the engine speed to.

Actually, the U-4 Power Unit has full load rpm"s of 1800 so I don"t think raising the engine revs. of your tractor would have any adverse effects provided it was for short term power boosts only. Sid.

rustyfarmall · Feb 8, 2011

It won't hurt a thing to increase the governed RPMS a little bit. As someone already mentioned, the U4 power unit is governed at 1815? The W4,O4 and I4 are also set at a higher RPM. I think it would be advised to keep the RPMs under 2,000 though. The clutch and flywheel might object if you go higher.

mkirsch · Feb 8, 2011

Raising the RPMs gives only a fractional increase in "power." When you're looking for every competitive edge, like in tractor pulling, that fraction could get you a few extra inches to put you on top.

In real farming applications, it's just noise and extra wear and tear on the tractor.

If you need more horsepower for field work, you need a bigger tractor, smaller implements, or more patience.

Janicholson · Feb 8, 2011

I will contribute to the input with the dynamics of the intake/exhaust and cam design.
The carburation flow volume at ~1800rpm is about all that the carb can handle and deliver fuel correctly. (with the engine producing its highest level of output, throttle wide open. It will make more torque and fill its cylinders fully at the 1650 point, due to cam timing, valve lift and intake runner size. The reality is that if the cam, and carburation, intake (from a 350 lets say) were used it could operate at a higher RPM making more power.
Adding RPM only will make a faster tractor on the road, and in any gear while not pulling, but that only feels more powerful, and achieves little. Jim

John T · Feb 8, 2011

Im an Electrical engineer NOT a Mechanical but have a few thoughts. In theory HP is a function of Torque x RPM so if the Torque were the same YES more RPM = more HP. HOWEVER the torque curve is not flat and not linear and depends on several mechanical parameters such as fuel and air and timing and valves and air flow and fluid dynamics etc etc. The engineers who set the governed RPM ARE NOT DUMMIES and selected the "sweet spot" and utilized several engineering trade offs to arrive at the best OVERALL performance including engine longevity.

Sooooooo it could increase HP slightly (depends on Torque curve remember) but you may pay for it in fuel economy and wear n tear etc.

Now if you were a tractor puller thats one thing, but Id leave it alone for general farm use. Just keep it tuned well and efficient and usea smaller implement or get an M lol

John T

rich4 · Feb 8, 2011

Large 4 cyl tractor engines more than 150ci and long stroke are not balanced for a lot of RPM , I know some 4 cyl perkins engines had a balancing shaft engineered in the block to smooth out the engine over 2000rpm. A couple hundred rpm more should not hurt, but if the engine runs rough then it is too much. The cam and carburator also a limiting factor.

Does adjusting the governor on Farmall H=extra hp?

VII Gen. Farmer

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