52 cub problem and fix

[52DAVE]

Hello every one I'm Dave and live in West Mich. I used a supper A my dad had in my garden for almost 20 yrs. After my parents both past my son in law bought the A at the auction and I have been spending 2 hr. with a tiller every time I need to work the garden. I looked for a A with cultivators for a few yrs. but found nothing close by that I could afford. Late last summer I found and bought a 52 cub. It looked like little used very nice original cub with cultivators, draw bar and swinging draw bar. It was running but not running well. I hoped all it needed was a tuneup but that was not the case. To make a long story short although the tractor was very little used it needed a total overhaul. The cylinder walls were 10 thousands out of round, rod bearings worn through the wear layer, the thrust bearings 3/4 worn out and the crank journals were scratched. I have a neighbor who is retired from being the head mechanic for one of the largest farmers in Mich. He told me the reason for the excessive ware on engine parts is because over time condensation in the engine combines with the additives in the oil and becomes a fine abrasive . That if a motor is not run long enough and often enough to really warm up and get rid of the condensation it will ware out those parts.
When checking the motor out before deciding to tear it apart I found out that the governor linkage was sticking It only took a small bump to release it. When it released the motor would sputter and kill. I believe that that is the reason the tractor has been used so little. Whoever had it when the linkage started sticking misdiagnosed the problem and messed with all the governor adjustments.
Now that it's back together and running very well with more power than it ever had before I'm looking forward to using it this coming summer.
Those of you who have multiple tractors that don't get used much you may want to change oil from time to time if you don't already.

[phill_mi]

Hi Dave; I am just around the corner from you, nearer to Marne. I have a similar story for my 48' cub, but it sounds like you have been more productive in getting yours ready for spring. I got my machined parts back from the machinist and have not made much progress yet toward re-assembly of the Cub. But I did get my 560 running this last week, after a long down-period. I hope to do a little carb work on the 560 today. I tried to send you a PM, but it looks like you need to post a few more messages before you can receive PMs. And if you post another message you will have access to the library of manuals, which is very helpful. Welcome to the forum and post some pictures. Phill

[Bob McCarty]

Dave, Welcome to the forum.

[ricky racer]

Dave, welcome aboard from down by Niles!!

[Waif]

Welcome Dave.
Congrats on the Cub and your progress with it.

I suspect detergent oil added to long run on nondetergent oil crankcases has helped up the erosion speed on some engines too.

I'm around 300 minutes North of your area in a Cubs third gear top end.

[52DAVE]

I have a friend whose son went to school to be a diesel mechanic. He has been working as a tractor and farm machinery mechanic for 20+ yrs. He did most of the rebuild as a side job. I like mechanical work but it's been a long time since I have done much and I wanted it done right.