1953 cub led me here

[Ray Bud]

Well here we go.. Replaced what I assume was a bad coil with a Napa coil with built in resistor. Got fire to the distributor only to find that the rotary button was literally destroyed. She did crank up and run for a brief moment with bad rotor. Can over powering the coil be the reason for rotor meltdown ?

Ray Bud

[staninlowerAL]

I had that happen to me once when I failed to correctly position the rotor on the distributor shaft so that the rotor engaged the notch in the shaft. Not saying that is what happened in your case. Might have been a crack in the plastic from the past. IDK. Stan

[Ray Bud]

Around an around we go. My lesson turned out like this. If you come by a 70 year old Cub that has
been sitting for God only knows how long, start by removing the entire distributor and housing. Start your restoration right there. Even if you can get it started as it is with a few parts you will come back to to the distributor overhaul. I have to say if I would have not actually put this Cub to work I would not have found out how out of tune it was. She could win the show in starting up and ridding around. When it comes to work, she would be shown to the gate. After getting into the overhaul I can’t believe it even started. What an absolute mess.. Tomorrow it’s back to the rock pile for the 53 Cub. The weeds are taking over the garden and her red behind will be tending to that.

Ray Bud

[Glen]

Hi,
You didn't say what parts of the Battery Ignition unit were bad.
Usually they may need tune up parts, points, condenser, rotor, distributor cap, points set to the right gap.
New spark plug wires, and spark plugs.
Then the ignition timing set, using a timing light. The engine can run bad, or not have as much power as it should if the timing is set wrong.
The points can be filed so they are flat, if they aren't worn badly, instead of replacing them.

[Ray Bud]

The final word on this project has yet to be spoken. The outcome so far has turned into engine rebuild . This is where I have earned a degree in the do’s and dont’s in the world of the Farmall Cub. Not everyone who claims to have all off the knowledge and know how with the parts to sale you have the answers. I have a rebuilt motor to completion that would no way in Hell bolt up to my 53 cub.. My supplier sent me the wrong crank. Make no mistake he assured me that he had what I needed. I asked questions and he had the answers. This problem was discovered when I grabbed my grease gun to change out the bushing in the end of the crank before installing fly wheel and clutch. The new crank has not been machined to except a bushing. It’s just a dimple. I’m sick to stomach.

Ray Bud

[Barnyard]

The new crank has not been machined to except a bushing. It’s just a dimple.

Sounds like they sold you a crank for a numberd series Cub.

[Jeff Silvey]

Welcome to a great forum. Lots of help on this site. Good luck.

[staninlowerAL]

The new crank has not been machined to except a bushing. It’s just a dimple.

Sounds like they sold you a crank for a numberd series Cub.

You can have the CS machined for the bushing or probably return it to the seller. Either way you are probably going to have to absorb the labor cost. JMHO Stan

[Ray Bud]

Here is the kicker. I cancelled an order on the right part after being persuaded that the package deal was the right way to go. I hope that I am able to work out a major problem thats doable for both parties. I will say that it was excellent rebuild and it sure is pretty but it will not work.

Ray Bud

[Ray Bud]

I’m not versed in cub when it comes to what numbers mean what except for casting numbers. Like i mentioned it was the major point of the conversation and machining the crank was not part of it. You can bet that if had been I wouldn’t be writing this sad song. Looking for the best outcome.

Ray Bud

[Barnyard]

Ray, a numbered Cub would be a 154. 184, or 185.

[Glen]

Hi,
Below are pictures of Cub 154 LoBoys, if you haven't seen them.
They were made after the offset Cub Loboys, beginning in 1968 - 1974 it says on here, at the top of the page at Cub Info.
The 185 and 184 were made after the 154, and have similar styling.

[staninlowerAL]

Hope this does not add to the confusion. All cubs (FCub/LoBoy/Number Series) used the C60 engine and a lot of other common parts. Various differences in design did not require the CS to have a pilot bushing in the CS due to the location of the clutch assembly on the Number Series, thus the CS was not bored for the bushing. It's all spelled out in the IH parts lists located on this site at the Quick links tab at the top left corner of this page. Parts that are Common to all the tractors (like the CS) will have a different part number that specifies which Model/Series (and usually SN) that the parts are specific to. I will be the first to admit that it's easy to get confused. Good luck with your project. Stan

[Richard Goetze]

I did a engine swap like that and turned the outside of the pilot bushing to fit the bore in the crankshaft

[Gary Dotson]

Richard, his crank is not drilled, only has a dimple. Sadly, the only option is to pull it back apart and hope his parts supplier will make it right.