Cub died while mowing the yard

[Dirtdoc74]

Bought a cub just a week ago that the owner said it sputtered and died. With the hand crank it turned pretty hard, the starter barely turned the engine over. I’m thinking major internal problems. Went out to the shed and needed to push it out of the way to get to my rototiller. I thought...Lord, did you fix my cub? Tried it with starter, still barely cranked over. But this time I noticed the fan blade didn’t move. Froze bearing on fan assembly. God didn’t fix it but showed me what was wrong!

[Stanton]

…But this time I noticed the fan blade didn’t move. Froze bearing on fan assembly.

Having trouble understanding how your title relates to your story.

See if I’m understanding you: You bought a non-running Cub a week ago. You thought it was engine problems, but it turned out to be a seized fan hub.

Did you get it replaced and started/running?

[Mike in Louisiana]

Or did I die while mowing the lawn.

[Waif]

Died in yard while being run by previous owner...

Study the method of pulling fan and servicing bearing before you touch it.
There is a tendency to break the support for a particular bolt , by approaching it's removal the wrong way..

While at it , study how the fan gets lubricated. It not being lubed may be why it died /failed on the previous owner.

Congrats on the Cub.

[ntrenn]

Some of us took 40 years of ownership and a similar close call to teach us that the fan hub needs to be oiled.

[Dirtdoc74]

I was thinking it was going to be a major engine tear down. Still might be, but I know one thing that is wrong. Sorry for confusion and thanks for advice .

[Glen]

Hi,
You didn't say what year Cub you have.

If the fan hub won't turn, it will make the engine hard to turn.

Work the fan blades from side to side, and see if there is wear or looseness in the fan hub. If it has wear, it is probably ruined from not enough oil in it.
Another used fan assembly or a new assembly is the fix for that, I think there are no new internal parts for the old fans.

Below is a page from the 1949 Cub owner's manual showing how to lube the fan hub. The originals then have a screw on the hub to add oil.
If it has been replaced, it may have sealed bearings. The hubs with sealed bearings have no screw to put oil in.

http://farmallcub.com/rudi_cub/www.clea ... age-28.jpg

The hub uses light motor oil.
I use a clean pump oil can to put oil in the hub.
Be careful to not lose the small seal on the oil filler screw. Sometimes they are stuck on the fan hub.

To remove the fan belt, you have to loosen and remove the generator belt first.
The fan assembly slides up and down in the slot made in the front engine cover.
To loosen the fan assembly, put a open end wrench on the 6 sided place on the fan shaft, just to the rear of the gen belt pulley, and turn there.
Do Not turn the nut at the rear of the fan shaft, it is held by the sides of the slot.
It can break the cast iron slot to turn the nut. Try to keep the nut from turning, if the shaft is tight in the nut.

If the fan hub is ruined from being without oil, you can buy a new fan assembly, with sealed bearings.
The Case IH dealer where I buy things was selling another brand of fan assembly a few years ago for not a big price.

You need to remove the hood, and I think, the fan shroud to replace the fan assembly.
Sometimes the 4 shroud screws are tight.
I think the fan and the shroud have to slide out together to the side.

[Dirtdoc74]

Update: I managed to get the fan hub assembly out very easily. Thanks to all who painted the way to do it. Took the screw out, added oil ( was completely empty) worked fan back and forth until I can spin it with one finger. No noticeable movement side to side or back and forth. I think it can be reused. That also seemed to cure a lot of the hard turning over of the engine.
The year I believe is 53. Someone painted the data tag. It has wire mesh grill and 1800 as the only thing I can read on data plate.

[Glen]

Hi,
Good that your got the fan to turn, and it seems in usable condition.

You could try using a good light on the serial number plate, maybe you can read the serial number with it. Hold the light at different angles to look, if needed.
The number is originally stamped in the plate.

[Dirtdoc74]

Thanks for posting the link to the fan housing. By guessing I would have done it wrong.
Since the gas’s tank is off I did a compression test. Not good. 30, 0, 10, 35. Popped the valve cover off and saw a stuck valve on # 2 . Facts aren’t lining up with previous owners comments. That’s life, the thrill of fixing it continues. Any guidance is appreciated.

[SamsFarm]

My guess, rings are shot!

Take off the oil pan, check for a ridge at the top of the bores, ridge ream if neccassary, remove each rod bearing cap, pull each piston, check your pistons for wear, check the bores for wear, check the rings for wear of breaks.

Replace all out of spec parts!

Do not forget the little stuff of keeping the bearing caps, etc in the proper locations, etc!

[Dirtdoc74]

I appreciate your recommendations to replace worn parts. It sounds like this is done without pulling the head off. I currently have MMO soaking the valves and piston top. Will attempt to get stuck valve moving with ample amount of pb blaster ,hardwood dowel, and beating utensils. Back to the store. I think the dominoes are starting to fall. Good thing I’m retiring soon,at least slowing down. This one is gonna need more tlc. Keep the tips rolling in. I really do pay attention.

[Gary Dotson]

As evidenced by your stuck valve, I would guess that several of your valves are not seating well enough to hold compression. I wouldn’t tear into it, until you have a better idea why the compression is so poor. That should start with dry then wet compression tests. If the wet test is significantly better than the dry test, look toward rings, if not, consider valve work. The head must come off to remove pistons.

[Barnyard]

Once you get #2 unstuck work the devil out of the Cub with Sea foam in the crankcase and fuel. Then check your numbers again.

[Barnyard]

Or did I die while mowing the lawn.

I sure hope not!