New Cub Introduction

[westerrell]

Hi everyone -
Another member recently directed me to this forum, and I can see that I will get a lot of questions answered here as a new owner. Maybe someday, after working on my Cub, I can also answer a few too.
I have a 59 Cub with a sickle mower. I cut a small field I keep mostly to cut and put on my garden.
It runs well. I have some blue smoke that might need to be addressed sometime, but I also saw someone say they deserve to smoke a little at their age.
So far, I have replaced the throttle assembly because it had some broken teeth. The new one still bounces back when I throttle it too high but it is better.
Next up is to change the oil and filter and I plan to replace the rubber fuel with a standard filter with a sediment bowl and steel fuel line. I might also hook up the lights after a few other projects are completed

I appreciate the forum and look forward to learning more.

Wes

[westerrell]

I guess I should have included a photo.

[CharlieK]

welcome

[Bob McCarty]

Welcome to the forum.

[Dale Finch]

When draining the oil, there is also a drain tube at the base of the oil filter housing with a winged cap. Make sure you drain and clean out the filter housing, as it can get overlooked and plugged up.

For the throttle issue, you might liberally spray with PB Blaster (or equivalent) all the linkages from the throttle to the governor, and across the front of the engine to the Carb rod and back to the carb. (especially the governor spring lever) Check for any binding or rubbing along the way.

Welcome! For some good tips, check out the HOW TO sub section.

[Gary Dotson]

The other part of your throttle lever not holding, is the lever itself. It wears, just like the quadrant. A little spot of weld then grind and file the tooth back into shape. A quick and easy fix!

[Mike in Louisiana]

Welcome, check out the how to section. Lots of good info there.

[Glen]

Hi,
They say on here if the engine is smoking, to put Seafoam oil additive in the engine oil.
They sell it at auto parts stores.
Piston rings commonly get stuck, and then the engine can smoke.
It could help the compression, if the rings are stuck, and the Seafoam loosens them.
Make the engine work doing something when using the additive, so it warms up.
I have read on here of people having good results after using the oil additive.

One of the experts on here said to use the additive for 2 oil change periods.
The 1959 Cub operator's manual says to change the oil every 250 hours of use.
If the piston rings are wornout, the seafoam won't help much.

I have used another brand of additive when needed.
I haven't used the Seafoam, but I have read people's posts about it on here.
I sent you a PM, you get to it at the top of the page.

I would look at the throttle lever and see if it is worn where it touches the sector, like was said above.
Below are pictures from TM Tractor Parts of the throttle lever, showing the original shape it is where it contacts the notches on the sector. TM Tractor Parts did have new levers, but it says they are out of them.
Sometimes the notches on the sector need filing with a small 3 cornered file, to make them shaped so the lever fits better into them.

[westerrell]

When draining the oil, there is also a drain tube at the base of the oil filter housing with a winged cap. Make sure you drain and clean out the filter housing, as it can get overlooked and plugged up.

For the throttle issue, you might liberally spray with PB Blaster (or equivalent) all the linkages from the throttle to the governor, and across the front of the engine to the Carb rod and back to the carb. (especially the governor spring lever) Check for any binding or rubbing along the way.

Welcome! For some good tips, check out the HOW TO sub section.

Thanks - I will try the PB Blaster and see if that helps.

I did change the oil and unscrewed the cap under the filter. Glad you mentioned it.

[westerrell]

Hi,
They say on here if the engine is smoking, to put Seafoam oil additive in the engine oil.
They sell it at auto parts stores.
Piston rings commonly get stuck, and then the engine can smoke.
It could help the compression, if the rings are stuck, and the Seafoam loosens them.
Make the engine work doing something when using the additive, so it warms up.
I have read on here of people having good results after using the oil additive.

One of the experts on here said to use the additive for 2 oil change periods.
The 1959 Cub operator's manual says to change the oil every 250 hours of use.
If the piston rings are wornout, the seafoam won't help much.

I have used another brand of additive when needed.
I haven't used the Seafoam, but I have read people's posts about it on here.
I sent you a PM, you get to it at the top of the page.

I would look at the throttle lever and see if it is worn where it touches the sector, like was said above.
Below are pictures from TM Tractor Parts of the throttle lever, showing the original shape it is where it contacts the notches on the sector. TM Tractor Parts did have new levers, but it says they are out of them.
Sometimes the notches on the sector need filing with a small 3 cornered file, to make them shaped so the lever fits better into them.

Thanks - I ordered a throttle assembly and used the part with teeth and kept the lever. I should check the bend in the lever, that profile view is helpful.

I put some seafoam in the oil and used it for a while before I changed the oil. When I changed the oil I added a recommended portion of Lucas additive for high mileage cars. It was the consistency of honey. I measured it out and could barely get the measuring cup cleaned out. I think think it did help with the blue smoke. I still get a little burning oil smell, but don't see the blue smoke. With those additives it is hard to say what worked, what just seems better, and what is a coincidence. I will note that when I check oil it never seems to be using much.