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New AI in the family

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 4:38 pm
by Medic
Just got home with the newest project a 1944 AI i got a great deal from a gentlemen that lives close by. He was scaling back his project pile and let her go for 150$. The hood still has the county's logo on it. I' ll post photos later tonight. Any thoughts on what direction to go? Paint color? add lights?

Re: New AI in the family

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 8:13 pm
by 69ranger
Congrats on the new addition to your family. The "A" series tractors are special to me. Never met one I didn't like.
I like things original myself, so I would dig around under the layers of dirt and paint try to find out what color it was painted when it left the factory. "A" series must have been pretty successful, given I-H kept mostly the same chassis with just some modern upgrades from 39 all the way to 79 when the last 140 was built.
Looking forward to some pictures.
Brad

Re: New AI in the family

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 9:34 pm
by Medic
So I got her unloaded and shot some photos. she was originally purchased by our local county for road work. I found red under the yellow paint and you can see by some of the photos that she must have come from the factory red. I'm leaning towards yellow and keeping the old county decals just because I like the local connection. just dreaming right now. I was worried that the exhaust pipe had been left uncovered. When I pulled the manifold I was greeted with ports full of water. I then pulled the head a found three cylinders had been fogged and one not. water had reached all four. hard to tell what damage was done until I can get the motor cleaned up more. I have her split and the motor on the stand now. not bad for a few hours work. I'll be sure to keep posting photos as I get further along.

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Re: New AI in the family

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 11:49 pm
by 69ranger
Looks like you are on your way. Very good progress in such a short time. It's a shame how stuff gets treated, exhausts left uncovered are pretty common. Our local High School FFA chapter is rebuilding an A right now. They just knocked the pistons and sleeves out at the same time and installed new ones. Not the cheapest way to go but a lot easier than trying to free them up. I can see leaving it the color the county painted it. It is kind of a part of your local history.
Good luck with your project.
Brad

Re: New AI in the family

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 7:36 am
by panda
looks like a lot of fun :{_}: . Just wondering why the rear tires are reversed on the rims? Maybe used to push in reverse?

Re: New AI in the family

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 11:26 am
by Medic
I thought they might have reversed them for more traction? I'm just glad that they both hold air!

Re: New AI in the family

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 4:22 pm
by 69ranger
We used to have a neighbor that reversed the tires on his combine. His thoughts were if he drove as far as he could and got a little bit stuck, he could back out. I never knew how often it worked, but Dad used to loan him a chain once in a while. :lol:

Re: New AI in the family

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 8:48 pm
by Lt.Mike
That tractor is awful and beautiful at the same time. I'd have to see if that decal can be recreated. Makes my Industrial A's look like easy fixer uppers. I have no doubt it will come out nice.

Re: New AI in the family

Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:11 pm
by Daniel H.
I have read that if you reverse the tires when driving on paved roads the tires will last longer. Don't know from experiance, though.

Re: New AI in the family

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 10:26 pm
by cubbrian
I have heard that as well that tires will wear better and give a smoother ride when installed backwards. Obviously the downside is a loss of traction, but for a tractor drive on paved roads it may be worth it. The gentleman who told me this drives about 600 miles a year on several tractor drives around the midwest.