Front end swap on an A

[Lt.Mike]

Right now my second A is sitting out front with Santa sitting on it as his sleigh with reindeer lined up to pull him.
After the holidays when the Christmas decorations are put away I’ll want to pull the front end off this tractor to swap with my other that I intend to mount a snowplow on.
On the one I’m using the P.O. had welded up the square tube for some unknown reason making it impossible to mount the plow.
How difficult a job am I in for?
I’d like to unbolt and swap what connects just below the steering box reservoir.
Mine are the IA with the support bar from the axle to the block as well.
Will I need a gasket kit as well?
Part of me feels this might be a straight forward job but I suspect there’s a headache hiding here somewhere.
Both tractors are 1946 IA which I got lucky with.
The donor tractor also still has the foot throttle which I’m swapping over as well.
Mike

[Lt.Mike]

I found this video, should I follow their lead as the simplest route?
(About 25 minutes in)
https://youtu.be/gaCjnRWjQuM

[lwhiway]

"On the one I’m using the P.O. had welded up the square tube for some unknown reason making it impossible to mount the plow."

I'm just curious as to what you mean by saying "welded up"? I'd like to see pictures of this welding as my thought would be to fix this rather than do the other.

LW

[Lt.Mike]

"On the one I’m using the P.O. had welded up the square tube for some unknown reason making it impossible to mount the plow."

I'm just curious as to what you mean by saying "welded up"? I'd like to see pictures of this welding as my thought would be to fix this rather than do the other.

LW

I haven’t made the adjustment from photo buckets changes yet so no photo sorry.
The square tube that the rod and blocks fit into to support the hanger has a block welded in place with a bolt into that. The block extends out about 1-1/2”. The weld is bad and mounded around it. They extend out so wide that the plow mount doesn’t even come close to fitting over them.
In addition to that the steering gear is badly worn with a severe wobble at speed to make 4th gear unsafe. My spare A has a tight, clean unmolested front. I feel it’d be easier to swap fronts rather than to try to repair the buggered tube so that I can mount my plow.

Below is a borrowed pic. The square tube on the extreme far right of the pic is what has been welded up on mine.
Incidentally both tractors are IA with square tube axles and have the support brace to the rear of the block.


Mike

[SONNY]

The square in the far right, just above the axle is where the cultivator mounts, just like cub only a bit wider! thanks; sonny

[Lt.Mike]

Ok I jumped through the hoops and registered with flickr.
Here is a shot of the axle tube on my trailer. If it was my only A I'd have to try to cut it all out but as I have a spare that has an unmolested axle I think it'll be easier to swap them out. The other tractor still has the factory IA foot throttle which will be swapped over as well.
Its a mess isn't it?

[SONNY]

I have cut lots worse out.--just takes lots of time. thanks; sonny

[Lt.Mike]

One thing has me curious about the weld. As you can see it isn’t painted, and it doesn’t rust.
It stays bright silver. What the heck?
I might hit it with my air chisel and see what happens.

[Jim Becker]

Can't tell the color that well, is it brazed? If so, just melt it back out.

[Slim140]

If it isn’t braze like Jim said it may be nickel welding rod.

[SONNY]

It's nickle or certainium special cast rod. I use that on all my cast welding. thanks; sonny

[Lt.Mike]

Ok can that be melted out with a propane torch?
I’ve got a lot of tools and have been eyeing up a small oxy/acetylene setup but can’t swing it yet.
Propane I’ve got though so I hope it’ll do it.
Mike

[Slim140]

Not if it’s nickel welding rod. You’ll need to grind it out if you don’t have a cutting torch.

[Lt.Mike]

Ya, after my post I did a little research and for the little I know about welding I found I know less than I thought. Got a little work ahead of me.

[SONNY]

Propane won't begin to touch cast welding! ---It my be kinda slow, but from your pic., I would start with a 4" grinder and cut straight down from top,--up from bottom,--then in from each side.--- You just might be able to use a sharp chisel and break thru the weld.--Don't beat hard, just enough to check how far in the weld actually goes.---- Are BOTH sides the same weld? --Can't quite tell what he welded in there.--maybe a small square?-- wonder if it goes all the way thru?? Keep us posted! thanks; sonny