My new farmall A

Hello forum,

I recently bought a 1941 Farmall A - partly because there are some jobs around the yard that I want to use it for, and partly because I think it's a really neat piece of mechanical history. I grew up around "farm country" but this is my first tractor. I'm sure I'll have plenty of silly questions for the forum over the coming months/years of ownership.

The tractor seems in OK shape overall. It came with a front-mounted blade that's not like any I have ever seen on a Farmall before, so I am guessing it is not original. At any rate it doesn't appear to be set up properly so once I get some photos I might be looking for help with that.

The steering is incredibly sloppy but it seems like a fairly straightforward problem. I don't know the proper terms to describe any of these parts, but the joint directly under the main steering box is very loose. I suspect it's just the bolt that clamps it together is loose so hopefully that is an easy fix. The rest of the steering system seems tight, though there is fluid leaking from both shaft seals on the steering box. What type of fluid goes in the box? I suspect I'll have to drain it to open it up and replace the seals.

Also, the gas tank is full of rust flakes. The tractor starts and runs beautifully, but it stalls every few minutes because rust flakes clog the screen in the sediment bowl. I am guessing I will need to take the tank off, clean it out, and maybe coat the inside with one of the various tank sealer products on the market? Is there any general consensus on which of these products work the best? Seems like many of them are sold in "kits" with cleaners and prep chemicals.

I'll post a photo once I have one uploaded. Once I get these little problems worked out I plan on putting the thing to good use!

Not very experienced in the steering problem. Ive never had the
need to coat a gas tank either, but what i do is take some rocks,
nails bolts anything thats hard and has some mass to it. Throw it
in the gas tank and shake it.

The best thing to do in your case is go buy a 3 dollar gas tank at
any lawn mower retailer. Plum it into your a's fuel system, Strap
the tank with rocks, metal etc in it to the rear rim of the tire and
drive it around for a bit. This will knock and scrape all the rust
out of the inside of the tank ( some theory as a rock tumbler)
Then you can coat it with something that someone on here will
suggest.

Just pour a gallon of muratic acid in there and slosh it around. I don't remember how long to leave it in IIRC it is 20 min or so. That will clean up even rust flakes.

When I got my Farmall A many years ago it had the same steering problem. Mine was easily corrected by tightening that bolt on the steering arm where it attaches to the steering shaft. You need to really tighten it down hard (fine thread so has a lot of clamping power). If you have trouble tightening it, I would replace with a new fine thread grade 8 bolt and then tighten. Roger

Loosen the nut first and figure out what is worn.
If just loose, locktite stud and bearing mount will help lock it up, If damaged, welding and filing will be needed, Some had a woodruf Key, I do not know which. A dremel tool and a larger Key are the answer to that problem
Many ignore the seals and put Mobil 1 red synthetic chassis grease in the box (or John Deere Corn head Grease). Those do not leak out, and are a permanent solution, Jim

I have rebuilt several of the wide fronts on the A. The bolt that holds that part of the linkage tight is a bear to tighten with the exel in place.You probably need a complete renewing of the steering parts. There is some seals,bushings and bearings in the steering sector. I would probably replace all of them cost will run around 50 for the parts. 90wt when done it will steer much easier when done. Dont forget to make sure the spindles get grease to the bottom where the wt of the front is. Need help dont be afraid to ask more questions.

(quoted from post at 05:24:36 06/30/11) I have rebuilt several of the wide fronts on the A. The bolt that holds that part of the linkage tight is a bear to tighten with the exel in place.You probably need a complete renewing of the steering parts. There is some seals,bushings and bearings in the steering sector. I would probably replace all of them cost will run around 50 for the parts. 90wt when done it will steer much easier when done. Dont forget to make sure the spindles get grease to the bottom where the wt of the front is. Need help dont be afraid to ask more questions.

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I have been scratching my head trying to figure out how the heck you would tighten that bolt with the tractor "put together." It looks impossible to reach. I will probably try anyways, at least because then I can get the thing drivable, and I can do a complete rebuild at my leisure. Right now it's not exactly what I would call safe - you can turn the steering wheel 180 degrees without any movement at the wheels, and they flop around quite a bit if they hit bumps or any other obstacles. It does seem like all the slop is in that one joint though so fingers crossed it doesn't need a full rebuild.

Thanks for the gas tank tips everyone. I will try muratic acid and screws or bolts to get the rust off.

(reply to post at 06:19:38 06/30/11)

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Here it is!

Decent looking machine, very nice rubber. I am sure you will be happy.