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New to me Farmall M and a question

Farmall M, Super M, 400, 450 & 560 Tractors, 1939-1963
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Sterff89
Posts: 44
Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:21 pm
Zip Code: 17512
Tractors Owned: 57' Cub
45’ A
48' Super A
51' Super A
53' Super C
51’ H
50' M
60' IH 460 Utility

New to me Farmall M and a question

Postby Sterff89 » Sun Dec 19, 2021 8:08 pm

Just picked up this 1950 Farmall M at auction yesterday. It has a few issues but, is worth fixing up in my opinion. It has been converted to 12 volt and has an alternator. Id like to convert this to electronic ignition as I have on some of my other Farmalls. This would be my first one with a 12 volt system though and the tractor has a resistor wired up to the coil. When I replace the coil do I need to reuse the resistor and what coil do I look for? So far the repair list is: front tire needs a tube, rear tires are loaded and I'd like to eliminate calcium chloride, carb is clogged up and needs rebuilt, ignition system rebuild, oil pressure gauge and valve cover are leaking, radiator cap is broken, seat needs rebuilt, also the belt pulley is leaking pretty bad. Im sure Ill find more things to fix but, that's half the fun.
farmall m.jpg

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staninlowerAL
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 4975
Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2010 11:34 pm
Zip Code: 36558
Tractors Owned: Cubs: (3)'49's, (1 is for parts), (1)'57 IH Cub LoBoy w/FH, (2)154 Number Series Loboys, (1 is for parts), '76 Longstripe w/FH, Mowers: C-22, Bush Hog 412, Pennington 59, Woods RM42CF, Woods 42, assorted FCub plows, planters, discs, etc. OTHERS: '49 AC B & Ind. Sickle mower, '61 AC D12 Ser 2, '52 8N, '56 Ferguson 35 Deluxe, '47 & '49 Avery V, '53 MM BG (offset), '51 JD M (regular), '56 JD 420C, with Blade and fire plow, '85 JD 850 (Yanmar) w/72" belly mower, '76? Yanmar 2TR15 1500 & Bush Hog SQ42S-2 mower, '78? FORD Dexta, '86 FORD LGT14D & 48" Mower, (2)Cub Cadets & Mowers (MTD), (4) Sears Surburban's, other MTD mowers, Jeeps & other misc. "treasures"
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: AL (Southwest)

Re: New to me Farmall M and a question

Postby staninlowerAL » Sun Dec 19, 2021 9:39 pm

You can use a 12v coil with internal resistor and eliminate the existing external resistor at the coil.
Stan in LA (lower AL)
USAF & Reserves, Reg ARMY, ARMY NG (AL)

Gary Dotson
Team Cub Mentor
Team Cub Mentor
Posts: 5618
Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2006 6:20 am
Zip Code: 43358
Tractors Owned: 48 Cub Diesel (Cubota)
53 Cockshutt 20 restored (Shooter)
52 Cockshutt 20 unrestored
47 Leader "B" (Herckie)
49 Leader "D" (Princess)
49 Leader "D" very rough
48 Leader "D" unrestored
Kubota B6200E
Kubota B6200HST
Kubota B8200HST-D
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: OH West Mansfield

Re: New to me Farmall M and a question

Postby Gary Dotson » Mon Dec 20, 2021 8:41 am

If the existing coil is okay, I wouldn’t replace it. Stock coils work quite well with Pertronix. If you decide to do that, be sure to connect the hot lead, to the Pertronix, to the switch side of the resister, not the coil. Your list of repairs matches, almost exactly, to the repairs I made to the neighbors Super M, everything but the belt pulley seal. Adjust the valves, while the cover is off.

Sterff89
Posts: 44
Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:21 pm
Zip Code: 17512
Tractors Owned: 57' Cub
45’ A
48' Super A
51' Super A
53' Super C
51’ H
50' M
60' IH 460 Utility

Re: New to me Farmall M and a question

Postby Sterff89 » Mon Dec 20, 2021 7:32 pm

Ok, so I got the hood off today and a 25 ohm ballast is mounted on the alternator. I saw this yesterday but, wasn't sure what I was looking at with the hood on. Also it appears the tension of the belt is holding the alternator tight against the valve cover....? So if I use a pertronix flame-thrower coil I can remove this ballast? The coil on the tractor is leaking and mounted with zip ties and strapping so I want to replace it. Also Im going to have to rework the alternator bracket.
thumbnail_IMG_5381.jpg
thumbnail_IMG_5382.jpg

Jim Becker
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Location: MN

Re: New to me Farmall M and a question

Postby Jim Becker » Mon Dec 20, 2021 11:25 pm

Picture makes it look like that resistor is in the exciter circuit of the alternator rather than the primary feed to the coil. If it is part of the charging circuit, you will still need it.

By the way, an ignition resistor should be around 2 ohms. An exciter resistor should be around 10. I suppose 25 might work okay in the exciter circuit.

Gary Dotson
Team Cub Mentor
Team Cub Mentor
Posts: 5618
Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2006 6:20 am
Zip Code: 43358
Tractors Owned: 48 Cub Diesel (Cubota)
53 Cockshutt 20 restored (Shooter)
52 Cockshutt 20 unrestored
47 Leader "B" (Herckie)
49 Leader "D" (Princess)
49 Leader "D" very rough
48 Leader "D" unrestored
Kubota B6200E
Kubota B6200HST
Kubota B8200HST-D
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: OH West Mansfield

Re: New to me Farmall M and a question

Postby Gary Dotson » Tue Dec 21, 2021 8:47 am

As Jim said, that resister is for the alternator, not the ignition system. There’s no knowing what your coil is, without testing it. Approx. 1.5 ohm = 6 volt or 12 volt external resister, approx. 3 ohm = 12 volt internal resister. The instructions for the Pertronix gives the ohm requirements and diagrams for hookup either with or without the resister. Be aware that the Flamethrower coil may not meet their ohm requirement for a 4 cyl. Engine, it’s made for 8 cyl. Engines where lower coil ohms are more tolerable. (An issue of dwell time). It has long been my preference to avoid getting too aggressive with the “hot” coils. The Pertronix will make a big difference, even with a stock coil, it just has to be a good one.

Sterff89
Posts: 44
Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:21 pm
Zip Code: 17512
Tractors Owned: 57' Cub
45’ A
48' Super A
51' Super A
53' Super C
51’ H
50' M
60' IH 460 Utility

Re: New to me Farmall M and a question

Postby Sterff89 » Thu Dec 23, 2021 7:15 pm

I think I have it figured out now but, I have not tried to start it because the carb is off. I did have to make a bracket to mount the coil though. I hooked up the wire from the alternator going to the + side of the coil same as it was before.

thumbnail_IMG_5386.jpg

Sterff89
Posts: 44
Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:21 pm
Zip Code: 17512
Tractors Owned: 57' Cub
45’ A
48' Super A
51' Super A
53' Super C
51’ H
50' M
60' IH 460 Utility

Re: New to me Farmall M and a question

Postby Sterff89 » Mon Dec 27, 2021 4:42 pm

So I got it running after rebuilding the carburetor and it is charging. It does start nicely but, I do have to make some adjustments to get it to run better. I drove it around for awhile and everything seems to work as far as clutch, brakes, and it goes in all gears. It did not like 5th gear and the front end seems to shimmy pretty bad. After parking it I drained the oil. There was a fair amount of water in the bottom of the pan. I took off the oil pan and valve cover and both were coated with white sludge. The coolant is pretty full so I think it is condensation? With the oil pan off the inside of the engine is pretty clean.
thumbnail_IMG_5401.jpg

thumbnail_IMG_5395.jpg

Sterff89
Posts: 44
Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:21 pm
Zip Code: 17512
Tractors Owned: 57' Cub
45’ A
48' Super A
51' Super A
53' Super C
51’ H
50' M
60' IH 460 Utility

Re: New to me Farmall M and a question

Postby Sterff89 » Sun Feb 06, 2022 7:00 pm

Well I'm pretty much finished with the repairs on the M. I have changed axle seals, brake seals, belt pulley seals, rebuilt steering shaft, rebuilt carb and fuel system, built a front hitch, added headlights, and many more things. I had it out today for a 5 mile trip and it did well. I would like to add fenders, a belt pulley, and wheel weights. Also the swinging drawbar is a cobbled together piece off an H so it should be replaced. I'm looking forward to an up coming auction where the owner has trailer loads of farmall parts including 20 sets of weights.
farmall m 1.jpg

User avatar
Bill V in Md
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 1111
Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2003 6:51 pm
Zip Code: 21228
Tractors Owned: 1948 Farmall Cub
LT1045 Cub Cadet
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: MD, Catonsville
Contact:

Re: New to me Farmall M and a question

Postby Bill V in Md » Sun Feb 06, 2022 7:28 pm

Must be a nice feeling looking at it now and knowing what it took to get to this point. I think the M is the best looking Farmall.
Bill VanHooser
Cub 54 Blade, Cub 193 Moldboard Plow, Cub 28A Disc Harrow
Circle of Safety

Sterff89
Posts: 44
Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:21 pm
Zip Code: 17512
Tractors Owned: 57' Cub
45’ A
48' Super A
51' Super A
53' Super C
51’ H
50' M
60' IH 460 Utility

Re: New to me Farmall M and a question

Postby Sterff89 » Tue Feb 08, 2022 6:33 pm

I like the styling of the M too. I can't wait to park it next to my H.

User avatar
Tired_Iron
Cub Star
Cub Star
Posts: 132
Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2020 1:23 pm
Zip Code: 53147
Tractors Owned: 1937 Farmall F-12
1939 Farmall F-14
1944 Farmall M
1945 Farmall B
1947 Farmall H
1955 Farmall 400 /w 33A Loader
Grounds Crew
Simplicity 7112H
Simplicity Sunstar 18
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: Lake Geneva, WI

Re: New to me Farmall M and a question

Postby Tired_Iron » Tue Feb 15, 2022 12:44 pm

Sounds like it has come along quite nicely. Enjoy!
Dan K

"You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy."

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Proud Member, IHCC, Wisconsin Chapter #4

ajhbike
5+ Years
5+ Years
Posts: 1616
Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2017 4:06 pm
Zip Code: 06405
Tractors Owned: 1957 Cub
1951 Super C
1966 IH 504 Hi-Clear
1968 JD 3020
1949 JD B
1949 Ford 8N
1955 Ferguson TO-35
Location: Branford, CT

Re: New to me Farmall M and a question

Postby ajhbike » Tue Feb 15, 2022 4:45 pm

Looks great and you sound like you know what you are doing. I agree on the fenders...I put a set on my SC to have a handhold while climbing up and for safety...those seats don't always fit my south side. Also as a bonus...consider putting some plate between the current floor pan and the fender to make your floor pan wider. It makes it easier to add a step on the back and to put some nonskid on the whole floor

Sterff89
Posts: 44
Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:21 pm
Zip Code: 17512
Tractors Owned: 57' Cub
45’ A
48' Super A
51' Super A
53' Super C
51’ H
50' M
60' IH 460 Utility

Re: New to me Farmall M and a question

Postby Sterff89 » Wed Apr 06, 2022 5:34 pm

Got the M to its new home, complete with fenders and belt pulley. Hopefully I can get a set of weights this weekend.

farmall h m.jpg

Sterff89
Posts: 44
Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:21 pm
Zip Code: 17512
Tractors Owned: 57' Cub
45’ A
48' Super A
51' Super A
53' Super C
51’ H
50' M
60' IH 460 Utility

Re: New to me Farmall M and a question

Postby Sterff89 » Thu Mar 16, 2023 5:57 pm

Here's a picture of the M, out for it's mid winter ride. I've since added rear wheel weights, a toolbox, and a mirror which is quite handy.

M.jpg


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