Engine overhaul?

[Posco]

If I were to bite the bullet and go with a complete rebuild on my Cub engine what would/should that entail? Pistons/rings, valves and associated parts, gaskets, resurfaced head.

If I'm going to go to the trouble, I'd like to do it right and do it only once. I'd appreciate any and all recommendations so I can start accumulating parts.

[Eugene]

I'd appreciate any and all recommendations so I can start accumulating parts.

No way to answer the initial question. Need to disassemble, clean, inspect and measure to determine needed parts and perhaps machine work.

Above all, do not order any parts until you determine what parts and perhaps machine work is required.

[Hengy]

Posco, what makes you think it needs the overhaul? I agree with Eugene that there is no way to know what all it needs until it is all disassembled and measured. If you don't have the tools to measure, that is best done by a shop. They will typically give you the best price for the whole package deal. If you are going all the way, then they would boil the block and magnaflux it to make sure there are not cracks that make it not worth it to bore etc. A complete overhaul would be boring/honing, fitting new pistons and rings to the new bore, valves, new seats (if needed), they will check the main and rod bearing journals and turn them if they are out of round and worn.

Your engine may need some or all of this work or perhaps NONE of it...depending on what you or the machine shop measures!

Really agree with Eugene on the do not order parts until you measure...

Mike

[Posco]

Posco, what makes you think it needs the overhaul?

The tractors age. It's a 1950 Cub and my thinking is after that many years on her, she is apt to need some work and if I'm going to dig into it, I might just as well dig deep.
I think...I repeat THINK I've found someone capable and trustworthy enough to do the work. It's beyond the scope of my knowledge to do the work myself. If anyone knows of someone in Maine who they would recommend without reservation to do the work, I'm all ears.

[64/67lo-boy]

Eugene and Hengy are right. Ive been down that road and parts and machine work can run up a tab that is more than the cub is worth. After parts and labor my C60 10/13 hp engine came to around $2600.00 much mor than the 67 lo-boy is worth. If I had to do it over again I would have got a second hand engine from a trusted source. I would have saved almost two gand. My second cub needed work and I honed and reringed myself. Still running strong. $000.02 from one who has been there. Think of all those implements you I could have gotten to make my life easyier with all that moola. My wife would have been hapier too.

[Hengy]

I would recommend that you do the disassembly of the engine yourself...at least to the bare block (without busting into it). That will give you a chance to learn your way around the tractor and how it goes together. It will also save you some money on the labor front... Definitely need to trust the shop for sure!

[pickerandsinger]

Instead of accumulating parts, throw some money in a safe place every once in awhile….Then when you see what you need you'll have a start or maybe you won't need it and you can buy another cub... …Dave

[Posco]

Among other things, I'm a heating technician by trade. I can look at your boiler or furnace and tell you if there might be a better choice of nozzles or pump pressure or air setting to give you a better burn. I know a bad burner coupling by feel and can tell if your water feeder is about played out. Change a circulator or purge a zone, aquastat settings too high or low, limits reversed...no problem but I don't know antique internal combustion engines and I love my baby and want her in fighting trim. That's my motivation.

I'm knowledgeable about that stuff and do right by my customers...I'm looking for the same in a tractor repair guy.

[Bob McCarty]

I don't remember from earlier posts... but have you adjusted the valves and then checked the compression? That's a good indication of the engine condition.

Bob

[Posco]

Instead of accumulating parts, throw some money in a safe place every once in awhile….Then when you see what you need you'll have a start or maybe you won't need it and you can buy another cub... …Dave

My wife doesn't understand the relationship I have with this Cub. Two Cubs could lead to divorce, if not murder.

[Posco]

I don't remember from earlier posts... but have you adjusted the valves and then checked the compression? That's a good indication of the engine condition.

Bob

The guy who is locally hailed as a tractor guru and had my Cub for the better part of four months said the compression was good. He is the same guy who gave it back to me with governor issues. He did locate me some quality chains. I really want to turn it over to a competent, trustworthy individual...or get about ten of you guys and your undivided attention at the nearest Cubfest.

[Hengy]

Check the compression for yourself! The testers are cheap, and if you buy the good screw in kind, you can even test with the hood on if you have good hands. Does the tractor hold good oil pressure? Blow smoke? Have blow-by out of the dipstick breather? If it is low on power, but doesn't smoke badly, repairing the governor slop and adjusting the valves will help TREMENDOUSLY in the power that the tractor has. If, however, it is blowing smoke and having low oil pressure, you are well founded in wanting to have the engine looked over...

Mike

[Posco]

Check the compression for yourself! The testers are cheap, and if you buy the good screw in kind, you can even test with the hood on if you have good hands. Does the tractor hold good oil pressure? Blow smoke? Have blow-by out of the dipstick breather? If it is low on power, but doesn't smoke badly, repairing the governor slop and adjusting the valves will help TREMENDOUSLY in the power that the tractor has. If, however, it is blowing smoke and having low oil pressure, you are well founded in wanting to have the engine looked over...

Mike

The pressure comes up on the gauge, it doesn't smoke and no blow-by. It does use a bit of oil but that may be loose bolts on the oil pan...I'll be checking that the next decent day we have. I'll get the tester and take into consideration all of the advice you folks have given me. Thank you, each and every one. You guys are the best!

[Hengy]

Uses oil or drips oil?

[Donegal Cub]

Hi Posco,
The Guys have given you great advice, another thing to keep in mind- if it aint broke don't fix it Those old engines were designed to stand up to a lot of abuse and use. so do heed the good advice.
Bernard,
Donegal Cub.