New Cub Owner

[PacerX]

Just bought this little guy:



It starts like a champ, but burns oil a bit (blue smoke from the exhaust).

With OHV engines, burning oil is a good indication of a valve seal/guide that has given up the ghost. Is it the same for flatheads like the Cub?

As an initial plan, I was thinking of buying a valvetrain kit (valves, springs, retainers, etc...) and doing that. Alternately, I could also do pistons and rings.

The hydraulics are a little iffy... the blade does not respond smartly to inputs. Does a hydraulics rebuild make sense?

Thanks for any help you guys wish to give!

[Bigdog]

With the flathead engine the blue smoke is most likely due to worn piston rings. Do a wet and dry compression test to determine whether it needs a valve job or needs rings & a re-bore.

[Barnyard]

Welcome to the forum. That's a nice looking Cub, everything looks pretty straight. Your blade has a lot of homemade parts on it and the chain isn't factory. That may be causing your problem with it not operating right. I wouldn't go into a rebuild just yet. Also check the hydraulic fluid and bleed the system if you have to add any.

Here is what a complete blade set up should look like. http://www.tmtractor.com/tm-tractor/gim ... 4a_001.htm

[Stanton]

Welcome to the forum!

Was this an auction or yard sale where you bought the Cub? If you need manuals, check out the links across the top of the screen.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

The flat head engines do not have valve seals since there is no oil laying around the valves to run down the stems. As has been mentioned, most likely it is from worn rings, and these are not sleeved engines, if the cylinders have much wear they must be bored and new pistons installed. As was mentioned, the hydraulic pump when worn can leak hydraulic oil into the engine, and is not good engine oil. Before doing much mechanic work I would change the motor oil and filter and check the hydraulic level. Hydraulic should be full to the bottom of fill plug with cylinder retracted (implement all the way down).

[bythepond88]

It is also possible that the rings are stuck in the piston grooves. Suggest you put some Sseafoam in the oil and the gas, and work her hard for a few hours, and see if that helps.

[ricky racer]

Pacerx, that picture looks like it was taken just west of Reed on hwy 10. Am I warm?