Grandpas Cub

S

steinb

New member
I am about to embark on refurbishing my grandfathers old tractor. He used to give us rides on it 30+ years ago. But probably hasn’t run since he passed away in the late 90s.

Excited to join what seems like a knowledgeable and passionate community. Wondering what all you folks can tell me about this machine; age, model etc. What should I plan on needing to repair after sitting that long? Where can I get parts in western lower Michigan? Is there literature/manuals I should buy?

Thanks in advance for any and all you can share!!

(Having trouble uploading photos, s/n -219417 J
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Welcome to the site. You will find a lot of information here. Your tractor was built in 1961 (by the serial number). It is a "Farmall Cub". What can be seen in your picture agrees with that as the year built. The extra parts attached to the tractor are part of a Cub-54A snowplow and grader blade. I hope you have the rest of it. I see the wire from the coil to the distributor isn't connected. That would keep it from running. There are some important steps you should take before trying to start it after it has been sitting for a long time. I will let others fill in some of those details. After you get it running, you can do some more complete checking it out to see what the scope of your project might be.
 
Welcome to the group! Lots of knowledge here to help you get your cub back in working order. The folks here can tell you what parts you need and places to find them. There are a few folks on here from your general area that may have parts or may know someone local who does. There are also sponsors of this site who deal with Cub parts and they are reputable. 😃
 
Welcome to the forum. You can find information about almost anything you will encounter if you search this forum. Resources link at the top of this page has a lot of manuals there, once you meet the qualifying requirements you can view and download them. You can also buy them from several locations but you need at a minimum an owners/operator's manual to get started. If you will send me an email address via Direct Message I will email you a pdf file of one. As for what and how to do things, browse the forum and search the HOW TO subforum for for troubleshooting, tips, suggestions for how to do things, ect. The first and most important thing to do is PRIME THE OIL pump to avoid damage from lack of oil pressure. The Farnall/International Cub tractor uses an IH C60 engine and there were not a lot of changes during the production life from 1947 through 1978. As is the case with any internal combustion engine, air + fuel + spark = ignition if it all comes together in the right amount at the right time in the right place. So start the process, ask questions and with some good luck Grandpa's Cub will be up and running. And congratulations on getting a family treasure in your possession. It's the only one like it and will be original only once!!! It's not possible to see from the available information but you should determine if it is a 6v or 12v ignition system and if it is positive or negative ground. Just a guess from looking at the coil (which appears to be original style) it is likely 6v. You'll learn more as you dig into the system. Stan
EDIT: At the top left corner of this page, Click on the HOME button and from the drop-down list select the INFORMATION link. You can access some maintenance and lubrication directly from that location.
 
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Welcome to the forum.
While looking the tractor over,
grease the throw out bearing
oil the fan hub,
grease the distributor shaft (read the manual on this)
If you need to add water to the radiator, pre-mix it before putting it in the radiator. There is no water pump on these engines.
 
steinb said:
..............................Is there literature/manuals I should buy .............s/n -219417 J
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The SN that you provided has the letter J at the end, that indicates that the clutch in the new tractor was made by Rockford. Here's a couple of pictures of the distributor and coil. Stan
 

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Welcome aboard and congratulations on acquiring your grandfathers Cub!! Where in Michigan are you located? I'm down in the Niles/Buchanan area and willing to help you any if needed. As Stan mentioned, PRIME THE OIL PUMP before attempting to start the engine. Use the search function to learn how. Check to see if there is still anti-freeze in the radiator. If there is, that's a good sign. If not check the engine oil level to see if it's over filled, that may indicate a cracked block.
 
ricky racer said:
Welcome aboard and congratulations on acquiring your grandfathers Cub!! Where in Michigan are you located? I'm down in the Niles/Buchanan area and willing to help you any if needed. As Stan mentioned, PRIME THE OIL PUMP before attempting to start the engine. Use the search function to learn how. Check to see if there is still anti-freeze in the radiator. If there is, that's a good sign. If not check the engine oil level to see if it's over filled, that may indicate a cracked block.
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Great tips! Thank you! I’m in the greater Grand Rapids area
 
ricky racer said:
Welcome aboard and congratulations on acquiring your grandfathers Cub!! Where in Michigan are you located? I'm down in the Niles/Buchanan area and willing to help you any if needed. As Stan mentioned, PRIME THE OIL PUMP before attempting to start the engine. Use the search function to learn how. Check to see if there is still anti-freeze in the radiator. If there is, that's a good sign. If not check the engine oil level to see if it's over filled, that may indicate a cracked block.
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Here's the location to prime the oil pump. Remove the oil filter cap and you'll see the hole on the side next to the block, just use a pump style oiler and fill the hole. It might take more than one filling but that fills the cavity where the oil pump is attached to the camshaft. Stan
 

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I just sent you a Direct Message, you can access it at the upper right corner of this page. Click on the envelope next to your username. Stan
 
Here's a picture of a 1961 FCub that's similar to your tractor from the parts manual TC37F showing some optional equipment. Click on the pic to view it. Stan

EDIT: Another pic, adding a little color (credit: from this forum-owner unknown)
 

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Jim Becker said:
Welcome to the site. You will find a lot of information here. Your tractor was built in 1961 (by the serial number). It is a "Farmall Cub". What can be seen in your picture agrees with that as the year built. The extra parts attached to the tractor are part of a Cub-54A snowplow and grader blade. I hope you have the rest of it. I see the wire from the coil to the distributor isn't connected. That would keep it from running. There are some important steps you should take before trying to start it after it has been sitting for a long time. I will let others fill in some of those details. After you get it running, you can do some more complete checking it out to see what the scope of your project might be.
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From what I gather from my uncle, we still have the grader blade as well as a belly mower.
 
Okay fellas. I’m back. Sorry for the delay. Today was day 1 of restoring grandpas tractor. I’ve already bought some basic parts for replacement; spark plugs, oil filter, belts, carb kit. Now I’m trying to figure out what else I need to get to be successful.

Early questions:
1. I think someone already answered this but where do these dangling wires go?
2. Oil seems to be leaking from this area to the bottom left of radiator pic. Is that a concern?
3. Radiator drain plug seems soft and a little rounded off. Any tips to remove?
4. Is something missing from the end of the generator? Or maybe that’s an oil hole?
5. Best way to clean inside gas tank? Bowl was full of molasses looking junk but also wasn’t filling with gas despite being some residual inside. The fitting for the bowl is also tough to get off??
 

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1. At least one of them goes to the coil from the distributor, the other one might be power from the switch to the coil.
2. Oil seeping from the steering gear reservoir, bad oil seal. Needs fixing.
3 Tough to get off/out. Easier to drain the radiator by removing the lower water inlet.
4. Oil/lube for the gen is under the little flip up cap. Other hole ??????
5. Several options. Recent post said try Berryman's carb cleaner/soak. Radiator shop can clean it but will remove the paint also. Unscrew the nut on the bottom of the bail below the sediment bowl to remove. You'll need a new gasket and maybe a filter/screen too.
Good Luck and keep posting. Better to move to the Farmall Cub forum, you'll get more response. If you don't have one, get an Owners Manual. It will answer a lot of your questions. Also read the HOW TO forum for some great tips and help. You're going to need to remove the fuel tank to clean it properly. JMHO Stan
 
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steinb said:
4. Is something missing from the end of the generator? Or maybe that’s an oil hole?
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Hi,
If the small hole beside the oil cup is plugged, it is not used for anything, as far as I know. You could use something and stick in the hole to see if it is plugged.

Cubs made before mid 1964 originally have 6 volt positive ground electrical systems.
If yours is still 6 volts, and the wire going into the wiring harness comes from the ignition switch, the wire connects to the - post of the coil.
The wire on the side of the distributor connects to the + post of the coil.
 
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