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Firecrater pistons in 1950 H

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PretendFarmer

Well-known Member
So I was adjusting my valve lash the other day on my H. I shined a flash light in there to get #1 up to TDC. Much to my surprise, I saw firecrater pistons. They are not flat top pistons. This motor was rebuilt 7 or so years ago long before I got it, and the guy that did the job has passed since.
I currently have 125 psi on all four. Is this normal? I would've thought an engine with firecraters would be pushing 150psi.
 
Be more uncommon to find flat top cast iron pistons in a H now than raised top ones. Standard elevation fire craters with a gas head in good shape runs around 130 to 140. Depends on how much if any the valves were lowered in the head during rebuilds and the overall shape of the engine.
 
I would rate the engine condition at a 10 for 10 with exception of the head. It appears to leaking oil through the valve stem seals. Only on startup or if you leave it idle for a while it will smoke upon either starting it, or reving it.
In my experience, an engine that has equal PSI on all cylinders indicates an engine of low wear.
 
I'd guess that about 90% of the Hs out there DO smoke a bit at start up. I've got one that just recently had the head reworked, all new guides, seats, and valves, and it still smokes a bit at startup. I don't even worry about it. At least I know the guides and valve stems are getting oiled sufficiently.
 
She runs excellent. I'm not going to tear into it for a little smoke. I suppose if all my other projects were completed and I had nothing to do......
Till that happens, I will keep running it as is.
Maybe I will use another gage next time I run a compression test. I have seen variance in gages and this ones been thrown around for years.
 
There are so many hi-dome pistons out there you will be hard to tell just what kind they are. Could even be 8000 standard from I-H. You cant tell what the bore is either without removing the head. Anyhow your engine seems to be in good shape compression showing that reading.
 
Remember the Farmall h does NOT have valve seals as stock from the factory. That said, some people do add umbrella valve seals upon a rebuild/recondition.

Due to not having valve seals: a tad bit of oil smoke is normal on certain occasions (i.e. like initial start up and rapid throttle chopping) and is usually nothing to worry about unless it is constant and never quits.

I would not be worried about your engine at 125 PSI across the board. Run it. My guess is everything is in good enough shape and probably only a bit lower than your hoped for ideal range that you were hoping to see (although I think 150 lbs is not realistic). The probable reason that you are lower than the 135-140 lbs that others with firecraters sometimes see is you likely have either the distillate head or worse yet the even lower compression kerosene head instead of the gasoline head which would result in the highest compression with firecraters (baring machine work like milling the head). Or you might have a tad bit of wear. Regardless I would be tickled at an even 125 lbs across the board and simply enjoy that tractor.
 
In what way could I determine which head it is? I got it from a guy who had it for 10 years. During which time he rebuilt the motor. The motor was rebuilt, bearings and all, 7 years ago.
There's no knowing what someone could've done to it 30 years ago.
 
Most times a head casting number can be found on top under the valve cover. But you should also be able to find a date code on the top of head between the valve cover and the manifold. have to clean or look between the head studs and nuts. If the date code matches the rest of tractor it probably has the original gas head. Since the tractor came as a gasoline the head would be a # 8043DC.
Going to ad pictures. First would be a common aftermarket. second a IH firecrater. Last a step head type IH and aftermarket. Some aftermarket did and do make a firecrater look alike for some engines.
a129753.jpg

a129754.jpg

a129756.jpg
 
Had my 50 H out doing a little job today. out of curiosity thought I would check the compression just to see how its doing. Not as even as yours. 134, 138, 139 and 140. That's engine warm, throttle wide open and all plugs out when cranking.
Has 3-7/16 bore fire craters and a 8043 DC head.
If you shut it off and start back after a half hour to a hour it puts out a little smoke. Also if the engine is holding back going down a longer hill and the vacuum gets high it will smoke some.
Runs real good though. even have champion D18Y plugs in it and never had a fowl.
 
Pistons for the Farmall H engine come in many different shapes. This is a picture of a collection of all the different pistons that I have. These all fit into the Farmall H engine without any machine work. If anybody has a different looking piston let me know, I would like to add it to my collection, my e-mail is open. Thanks Charlie U
a129830.jpg
 
8 14 T. I know it's August fourteenth but what year is t?
That's on the head between the valve cover and manifold.
On the block I have 7 20 T.
 
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