just a question and suggestion for the group

[1956farmallcub/tripod]

is it normal for a cub to be cold blooded and it would be cool to have a group chat just my thinkin

[Barnyard]

is it normal for a cub to be cold blooded

If you mean hard to start then yes they can be. Keep it properly tuned and inside if possible and you will be fine.

it would be cool to have a group chat

We used to have one, but it was eliminated due to low usage. A lot of members complained so it was brought back. However, it was very seldom used again so it was dropped again. I wouldn't expect to see it again..

[k hutchins]

Here's is my $.02 on cold weather starting that has worked on my '48.

Turn on the gas, full choke until it "coughs" one time. Turn the choke to half, and let it start there. I the leave it on half choke for about a minute. Then I turn off the choke and slowly run the throttle up 1 notch at a time until about halfway. Leave it on "high idle" until warm, then go to work.

As Barnyard said, it helps if it's tuned up well and stored inside. Mine is, but I remember many a winter where the carb would flood, or the battery would run down, and I'd get blisters from cranking it. Oh the good old days.
Good luck
Hutch

[1956farmallcub/tripod]

My cub is 6 volt and has low compression so I have to put it at half throttle full choke and as soon as it starts I have to babysit the choke for 5 minutes until it is running strong enough to open the choke but as soon as it is warm it runs smooth and strong enough to pull parts tractors around the yard while smoking quite a bit

[Waif]

My Cubs dirty wet cylinders and low compression make cold weather starts near futile.
I pull the muffler, hit the starter and watch it cough dirty /wet smoke on mostly what seems one cylinders compression burn.
Choke is cracked open a quarter after first pop.After another pop it is pointed at screw on carb top where it will sputter to life ,eventually; if I remain determined.
Due for fresh plugs.
Lots of seafoam has likely softened decades of carbon.
It started with the hand crank well enough last summer to demonstrate it's timed alright.
Have not pulled the magneto and flushed it clean and then added a real light oil as instructed for cold weather in the manual.

[cubbrian]

It seems like every one of my cubs likes the throttle and or choke in different spots.

[Posco]

Mine can get real finicky in cold weather. It can set for two weeks in the summer and fire right off but in cold weather it gets stubborn. I carefully heat the manifold with a propane torch in cold temps and that makes a huge difference. Pertronix ignition would probably help.

[brewzalot]

is it normal for a cub to be cold blooded

Don't use my Cub much in winter but was curious how it would start at O degrees a week ago. Couldn't believe it, started the very moment I pulled the rod. It starts great in summer, but I've never seen anything start that quick in winter. Full choke to start, right to half for 30 seconds, feathered it back in, and that was all it needed. Standard 6 volt, distributor, everything gone over/tuned up when I did my restoration two years ago, haven't done a thing to it since.

So if it is normal, I guess I got an oddball -and some luck.

Question at work the other day, "what temperature is cold?" As many answers to that as what's the best oil for my Cub...

tim

[Willy]

This time of year unless it's down to single digits outside, the inside of my unheated shop stays around 40-45F. The coldest I've ever seen it in there was just above freezing when it was 0 outside. And that's where the Cub stays.

Mine wants the throttle to be about 1/4 to 1/3 and the choke to be out about an inch. Hit the starter, and the engine will turn over for a couple of seconds while she's thinking about it before she decides to start up. Let her run enough for the cylinders to start to warm up (usually less than a half minute) and push the choke in. Or wait until she starts to protest by starting to run rough, then push it in.

But if you don't set the throttle open a bit, she's just going to roll over and tell you to get lost.

[Gary S.]

It seems like every one of my cubs likes the throttle and or choke in different spots.

Same here,one likes full throttle,the other likes none. I used to struggle trying to get them started in extreme cold,0 and below. I then had access to a heater much like an aircraft starting heater,propane powered,forced air and a 10' long 8" hose. I'd start that up and blow the hot air right on to the carb and manifold. That worked great but was fiddly. Then found an electric heat gun right on the intake above the carb works just as well.

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

My cubs start good in cold weather down to 20 degrees without the choke, but need the choke to stay running until the engine warms up a little. Below 20 degrees I usually do not go to the shed! I have a window/door shim in the tool box of each cub to stick down in the choke handle and hold it out some while the engine warms up. That shim is especially useful if you have a Zenith carb with the return spring on it.

[k hutchins]

Well with the weather we've had here in lower Michigan lately, l've had no trouble starting in the cold since l got rid of the NGK plugs. The coldest so far to start was 5°. Choke and half throttle until it coughed, then half choke to start. Fires off, then no choke, let it idle to warm up, an off he goes. Plowed twice today 20°, no problems.
By the way l run 10w30 year round.

[jsfarmall]

Here in north east arkansas there's not too much bad cold weather. But all 3 of mine are different. The one I use the most in winter is a bit cold natured but starts really easy. Give a little throttle and full choke. Usually fire right up. Wen running back choke to half and let it run a few minutes. The longer the better. Once it's warmed up she is good to go. If I try to do anything before she is ready she lets me know by either spitting and sputtering or just all out dieing and I gotta restart. So being gentle is the way to go.

My mower tractor is hand crank only right now and she is will fire right up when its cold but loves the choke. When it's hot it's a royal pain to fire up. Best to not shut it off till I'm done unless im gonna leave it for 20 minutes r so.