Farmall Cub

Clicker type would be the best with the plugs if you are going to use one, not a lot of room for the old type
Boss

Posco wrote:.......
So you trust the old pointers better than the clickers? There's machinery at work I torque on a daily basis and they wrenches are the 'clicker' variety. Keeping them in calibration always crosses my mind........

If the beam type is stored where it does not become damaged, it has very little chance for getting out of calibration. I like the new clickers, they are very handy, especially the newer ones that have a sound rod inside the hollow handle. I simply once or twice a year tighten some bolts with the clickers then use the beam wrenches to verify the setting. Many of the clickers say that between uses the adjustment should be backed down to ZERO. According to the manual that came with mine, that is to distribute the special lubricant they use inside them. At the end of each job I use one on I back it off and leave it till the next time needed. Of course for me that may be several weeks.

Posco wrote:I'm new here and to start off on the right foot I should probably clear my conscience and part with a nasty little secret...my first thoughts of a tractor were of a Kubota. I didn't know what a Farmall Cub was. I was in the market for a small tractor to haul some trees out of the woods, I had no idea it could lead to some sort of obsession.

I got that off my chest, so if you guys are still willing to help me I'll keep plugging away on giving this thing another sixty years of life.

Most of us are charter members of the Cub 12 Step program so no worries there ...

I think I should clarify... I have not used a torque wrench on my spark plugs, but perhaps should. When I said "two finger tight", I did not mean only finger tight in the hole. I use a ratchet/socket on mine with the hood on, and the plugs are tight using the wrench. Two finger tight referred to two fingers on the end of my ratchet handle. I definitely get crush on the ring on the plug and not just finger tight in the hole.

Sorry for the confusion all...

Mike

Hengy wrote:I think I should clarify... I have not used a torque wrench on my spark plugs, but perhaps should. When I said "two finger tight", I did not mean only finger tight in the hole. I use a ratchet/socket on mine with the hood on, and the plugs are tight using the wrench. Two finger tight referred to two fingers on the end of my ratchet handle. I definitely get crush on the ring on the plug and not just finger tight in the hole.

Sorry for the confusion all...

Mike

No confusion here, I understood exactly what you meant. As I have gotten older and arthritis set in, I use more than two fingers though. If it is a bad day I may only use one finger to tell the cub how I feel though. Changing spark plugs on a cub is where I learned to really appreciate a swivel head ratchet.

With 5:1 compression and a top rpm of 1800, it doesn't take much "torque" to keep combustion pressure within the combustion chamber.

Check for debris and pitting on the plug seats, that makes an avenue for pressure losses that torque specs and compression gaskets can not seal.

John *.?-!.* cub owner wrote:[If it is a bad day I may only use one finger to tell the cub how I feel though.

Torque wrenches are definitely needed for certain applications.....But spark plugs is a bit of a stretch, IMHO....I have spark plug kits for chain saws, motor-cycles, snow-blowers, roto-tillers, various socket sets etc etc etc....No torque wrenches were included...LOL...I'd go with Hengy, just snug it up....

Hi, I am doing the same thing right now and my manual says if no torque wrench, go 1/2 turn past finger tight. (35 ft lbs with wrench). I just sent a plea for help as can't figure out how to get the old spark wires out of the ring encasing them that is attached to a bracket held with one of the head bolts. My manuals have been reprinted so many times the views are not readable. Any suggestions? tnx lyn - aromas ca

Lyn:

farmallrax wrote:I just sent a plea for help as can't figure out how to get the old spark wires out of the ring encasing them that is attached to a bracket held with one of the head bolts.

Haven't seen that one yet .. but I had the same problem until I realized that the spark plug wires are fed through before the ends are put on

farmallrax wrote:My manuals have been reprinted so many times the views are not readable. Any suggestions? tnx lyn - aromas ca

Yup .. you can access the manuals on my server in Jpeg format - Manuals or the pdf versions - [url=http://www.farmallcub.com/[ Sorry, direct links to manual section is not allowed. ]/index.php]PDF Manuals[/url].

Also, I regularly as in 3 or 5 times a day check for Owner's Manuals for all the Cubs and the implements that go with it. I do not buy as a rule photocopies/reprints/cd's (as most of them contain the exact same manuals that are on the server for free.... ) .. I look for only original IH or OEM manuals. Those will always be the best to acquire. Usually they can be had reasonably affordable.

Hengy wrote:I think I should clarify... I have not used a torque wrench on my spark plugs, but perhaps should. When I said "two finger tight", I did not mean only finger tight in the hole. I use a ratchet/socket on mine with the hood on, and the plugs are tight using the wrench. Two finger tight referred to two fingers on the end of my ratchet handle. I definitely get crush on the ring on the plug and not just finger tight in the hole.

Sorry for the confusion all...

Mike

I don't feel as though you lead me astray, Mike. Have you seen the price on those snap-On torque wrenches? Wow! This is turning into an expensive obsession. Got to get me another Cub or two before the hoarders scarf 'em all up.

When you think you have plugs tight, start the engine, spray some wd40 around the plug. Most will have some compression leak, this is hard to see with the hood on. I have chased the treads and fixed the leaks. Use a little never seize on the plugs and they will come out easy.

Rudi wrote:........Most of us are charter members of the Cub 12 Step program so no worries there ...

12 step?? Maybe that is whats wrong. I thought it was just 3 steps:
1- buy a cub
2 - buy more cubs
3 - live happily ever after.

John *.?-!.* cub owner wrote:12 step?? Maybe that is whats wrong. I thought it was just 3 steps:
1- buy a cub
2 - buy more cubs
3 - live happily ever after.

John, you forgot #4 and #5......4. Join FarmallCub.com
5. Discuss torquing SparK Plugs

But Rudy is probably closer with the 12 step program...... Dave