Farmall B-Need more power

Jason In IL · Jul 31, 2011

I have a "B" with a L59 Woods mower that could use a little more power. I am going to overhaul it this winter due to low oil pressure. I was wondering what ya can do to up the hp a little. Thanks for any info. Jason

Russ from MN · Jul 31, 2011

Unless you are sure the bearings are bad check your oil pump cover and gasket first! J. Nicholson save me a lot of time and money with this tip.

fixerupper · Jul 31, 2011

Are you trying to Bushog with it? We've had a Woods 59 on a B since, lessee, 1975 I believe, and it's more of a finish mowing type of a rig. The mower isn't really designed for tall thick grass with it's low deck, and yes, the B is underpowered in tall thick grass. The belt seems to me about maxed out with "B" horsepower anyway. Best way to get more power is trade the B for an H. B is a lot more stable on the hills though. Jim

Jason In IL · Jul 31, 2011

No, I am not trying to brush mow with it. But I do have 5 farmsteads and ditches I mow with it, and sometimes the darn grass grows faster than ya can get it mowed. I was wondering if the super c engine parts can be used in a b. I used to have super c and it handled a mower with ease, they just are not as stable on the ditches like a b is, and I have some steep ditches. Jason

Red Dave · Jul 31, 2011

You can very easily "warm up" the B engine to the same displacement as a stock Super C. Order 3&1/8" diameter sleeves & pistons and it will increase displacement from 113 to 123 cu in.

You can also use high compression pistons (IH called them "Fire Crater") for a little bit more.

That should get you in the same horsepower ballpark as a stock Super C.

Jason In IL · Jul 31, 2011

Red Dave, thanks for the info. Jason

fixerupper · Jul 31, 2011

Ya we mowed a lot of ditches etc too and the little B does need a little more oomph unless you like to creep along in low gear and that's too fast sometimes. The real Farmall guys know a lot more than me, but I've compared engine parts between the three and couldn't find any difference in sizes aside from engine RPM. Quite awhile ago my neighbor was running a fairly long auger successfully with a Super C. He had some trouble of some sort with the C so I put my B on it and it didn't have enough cookies. Jim

old · Jul 31, 2011

If your going to rebuild it there are a number of small things you can do to bring up the HP but you also may not really need it since you could well just have a tired engine. You can do the over bore sleeves, mill the head a little bit, add a stronger spring to the gov. and maybe re-jet the carb. That said my little BA, which is half B and half A has a B engine A trans/rear end. Has enough power to run a 6 or 7 foot sickle mower in real thick hay

Charles E. McNelly · Jul 31, 2011

Hi Jason,
If you could go to a cam and head from a 240/340 along with the step pistons, you wouldn't have a problem pulling that mower. Might not be able to run the cheap gas, but you'll have the power.
Charles

gene bender · Jul 31, 2011

Ive had a B with that mower since 1970 and theres plenty of power what are you trying to mow. The front of the blade should be set about 1in lower in the front. You can get the hi-dome kit and increase the HP by 5.

Tom Fleming · Jul 31, 2011

the C-113 engine when "fresh", actually has a decent amount of lugging power for it's size. Most of the responses have indicated taking it to a C-123, and that of course will do it. But, if the engine is just tired, a valve job, fresh rings, cylinders cut/honed, and fresh bearings (with appropriate actions on the crank if necessary). I would think a "fresh" C-113 should run it in turf type grass, unless you are mowning "hay".

IMHO.

CNKS · Jul 31, 2011

Order an engine kit for a C113 without a water pump. The SC and Super A1 use a different head gasket. That will automatically give you the displacement of a C123, you can get either flat or domed pistons. Be sure you get 3.125 inch sleeves, the 3.25 inch ones will not fit. I am assuming the engine is original. Your Super C will take the 3.25 inch sleeves.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 1, 2011

Which end of IL are you in? I'm up along rt 80.
When I was a kid we mowed with a B and the same mower. Dad and me used a flat top over bore kit (123 cid)and it did a fine job plus it ran the auger during harvest!
And like Charles said a 140 head will really perk it up!

sflem849 · Aug 1, 2011

(quoted from post at 15:51:18 07/31/11) the C-113 engine when "fresh", actually has a decent amount of lugging power for it's size. Most of the responses have indicated taking it to a C-123, and that of course will do it. But, if the engine is just tired, a valve job, fresh rings, cylinders cut/honed, and fresh bearings (with appropriate actions on the crank if necessary). I would think a "fresh" C-113 should run it in turf type grass, unless you are mowning "hay".

IMHO.

The kits cost the same amount of money. It isn't like your doing "the final rebuild" by pulling the sleeves and running in the big holes. I would never rebuild it at 113 when I could do 123 for the same money. But, that is the difference between father and son... :lol:

Farmallb · Aug 1, 2011

I plowed my daughters garden with the B I gave her and an AC 1 16 plow. Did fine and the ground had never been plowed before.

Jason In IL · Aug 1, 2011

I am in the center of Il. I live about 15 mi east and north of Lincoln. I have 2 "B"s. The one I just took the mower off of that I want to restore since it was the tractor I first drove as a kid. It has never been apart and always had good power. Now this other one I purchased this winter doesn't have the power my first on has. On a side note, both tractors have the same size tires yet the one I just bought travels faster than the other in 1st gear, thus causing it to be a little underpowered.

Farmall B-Need more power

Jason In IL

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Russ from MN

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fixerupper

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Jason In IL

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Red Dave

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Jason In IL

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fixerupper

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old

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gene bender

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