[AT] Cub--shouldn't have broken my resolution....

[George Willer]

John,

The reported results of compression tests are usually rather murky, due to
the many variables.  75# isn't real great but it should run OK.

Since you haven't had custody of the tractor for very long, the best
explanation I can come up with for the oil in the radiator is vandalism or
operator mistake.  It's pretty hard to get oil into the coolant in a flat
head engine that doesn't have a cracked cylinder.

I hope you pre-mixed the anti-freeze and water before adding it to the
radiator.  Thermo-siphon systems don't do a good job of mixing them, if at
all.

Filling the oil filter could account for the 1/2 qt. of oil.

Are you sure your plug wires are in the right order?

Too bad you are so far away from Ohio... the Willer Home for Elderly Cubs
has an opening.  There are currently 13 residents.

George Willer


> -----Original Message-----
> From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com [mailto:at-
> bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of John Wilkens
> Sent: Sunday, November 12, 2006 10:53 PM
> To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
> Subject: [AT] Cub--shouldn't have broken my resolution....
> 
> Too many projects...so I told myself (and my wife) NO MORE old
> tractor purchases unless I can hear them run.  Well, I broke my
> promise and bought a nice looking little Cub....not running.   I
> checked compression which was pretty good (4 x 75 lbs), worked over
> the carb and filled the radiator with antifreeze and water.  No leaks
> showed up.  Started it up and it runs on the back two cylinders
> only.  The front two spark plugs have good strong spark.  I tried
> several sets of clean plugs.  A shot of starting fluid into the carb
> would not cause any response from the front two cylinders.  The head
> has been freeze cracked on the top and repaired rather well.  No
> leaks.   I had the head off and could see no leaks or problems
> there.   BUT, here's what I need help with:  after running it awhile
> on the back two cylinders I noticed a small leak in the top radiator
> tank.  When I took a close look I saw that the leak--out of the
> radiator--was crankcase oil--not milky white but slightly yellow
> color.  When I opened the radiator drain cock I got about a pint of
> plain water (no antifreeze mix) out and then it slowed down to a
> trickle of yellowish oil.  So far it has drained about 1 1/2 gal. of
> the "yellow oil" and quit draining.  I put air to the drain cock and
> hear air in the radiator but no more fluid in there.  The fresh oil I
> put in the crankcase is down about 1/2 qt..  I drained about 1/2 qt.
> oil from the crankcase and it still looks clean--no water in the
> bottom as usual when you get water in the oil.  As far as I can tell
> none of the gallon of antifreeze has come out.  A touch of of the
> "yellow oil" to my tongue doesn't have any sweet antifreeze
> taste.   So I'm stumped...really stumped, and could sure use some
> help!       John W.
> 
>                     In the wide-open spaces of NE Oregon
> 
> 
> 
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