Farmall Cub

Well, I installed my freshly rebuilt carb. and gave her a try... When I bought this tractor the engine was stuck, but the owner said it had been running good at one point, so....... I hook everything up and let her fly. Nothing... A little starting fluid, and still nothing.

I turned it over several times with no luck, so I figured I would check to make sure she was firing good.... Brand new plug was bone dry (didn't even smell of gas) all four cylinders were the same... I don't have a compression guage, so I just stuck my finger in there and used the hand crank. Great compression on 1 and 4 cylinders, but hardly any on 2 and 3.

Pulled the valve cover off and immediately found a bent push rod and another that had broke free from the rocker arm...

Pulled the head, and wouldn't you know....



Here's a pic of the bent push rod:



I don't know a whole lot about mechanic work, so I called my brother in law who owns a heavy equipment sales and service dealer, and he knows all about stuck valves and says we should be able to fix her up without too much trouble.

So, whenever he and I can both find some spare time I'm gonna take it to his shop so he can show me how to do this.

I wonder what it would feel like if things went like they are supposed to from time to time? It gets frustrating... I need a punching bag!

Hi Gene,

I know what you are going through, but that's part of messing with these old tractors. Don't think of it as a problem, think of it as an oppertunity! Just think, you are learning from this experience. (Please don't take this as me being a smart A**. It's just the way it really is.) Just think of the bragging rights and the stories you will have after you get her running again. Also it is a very rewarding feeling after you are done. Good Luck and don't let the little things upset you too much. And remember, You have the knowledge of this group of 2781 members behind you to help whenever they can


Brian

When we buy a tractor with problems they should be priced accordingly. We should expect to deal with those problems.

My M was an ebay purchase. The seller failed to mention that it was a 3 cylinder tractor but I paid and loaded it anyway rather than waste the trip. He had obviously been trying to make it a 4 cylinder, based on all the new ignition and carburetor parts. Yep... it had a bent pushrod that had jumped from under the rocker arm. I straightened the rod and it's been fine ever since. I still have the overhaul gasket set I bought and didn't need.