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<div class="rteDiv"></div><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px">*sigh* Well, we THOUGHT we had had a good tractor repair day.</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px"><br>
</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px">But we had to do it again. When we got to mounting the mag and timing
it, we could get the engine to roll about 300 degrees but not all the
way through. Somehow, the governor throttle arm had moved enough during
installation that one of the weights got free of the fingers again.
AAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHH! <br>
<br>
I inspected the weights, and one had a tiny flake of lead gouged up, so I
removed it to keep it from coming off while in operation and getting
into the gears anywhere. I hope that the mass of the weights is not
critical down to tiny fractions of an ounce .<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite11" alt=":rolleyes:" title="Roll eyes :rolleyes:" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":rolleyes:"> <br>
<br>
This time, we wired the arm to the governor case to keep it from moving,
and we tested the rotation of the governor and then tested the whole
tractor at each reassembly step, not just for movement but for being
able to rotate several full revolutions each time. Older son much
frustrated at the repeated tear-down/reassembly, but we learned yet more
about working on governors, and he is learning a little more patience
and the need to accept the fact that working on old iron will be
frustrating. But he knows how to tear everything down to the top of the
engine in about 30 minutes, now: ha, ha!</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px"><br>
</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px">It's not quite all back together yet--we ran out of afternoon. Again. We've got the coolant pipes, intake, and exhaust all buttoned up. Before going any further this go-'round, we will install the mag and time it. I want to make sure we've got our ducks in their rows, our Ps in their Qs, and our thumbs out of our . . . exhaust pipes.</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px"><br>
</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px">Made some progress on the '49 A with its loose flywheel. I loosened it up and slid it out to check the crank splines. They look really, really good: sharp edges, all straight, no erosion or rust. I thought I remembered that, but I want to make sure that moving the tractor from one stall to the other hadn't done any damage. Cleaned up the bolt threads again, set it in place, and clamped that puppy down. No idea how much torque: we don't have a 1/2" drive torque wrench that goes above 100 lbs. Anyway, I still have to prep the A for starting. Gonna be a while--next two weekends are spoken for. If the flywheel goes loose again, I will have to conclude that the internal splines are no good. Hope not.</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px"><br>
</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px">In related news, I will be getting a new 6.00 - 16" implement tire on the land side of the 4b plow tomorrow, bringing us a step closer to initial preparation of our garden area. Long-term project with plans to plant next year. But the ground needs to be prepped ahead of time. It's creek bottom land but which has been in sod for, oh, 60 years or so, near as I can figure. Maybe more. Must have been in trees once upon a time, but all of them are gone in the area to be planted. Last ones to go were a couple of the ill-fated local elms and a big, divided, and very stubborn Ozark Orange, aka. Hedge Apple aka Bois d'Arc (i.e. Bowdark). We still might catch some roots if we go deep enough.</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px"><br>
</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px">Anywho, always interested in comments, feedback, and just plain chattin' over the fence, guys!</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px"><br>
</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px">The "original" Steve Allen<br>
'47 B - 207862<br>
'49 A - 641033<br>
'51 A - 670397</p><br>
<br>
<div origmsg="yes"></div>On Mon, 9 Jun, 2025 at 3:00 PM, at-request@lists.antique-tractor.com <at-request@lists.antique-tractor.com> wrote:<div class="rteDiv" style="border-left: 3px #CCCCCC solid; padding-left:8px;"><div>----------------------------------------------------------------------<br>
<br>
Message: 1<br>
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2025 06:19:24 -0700<br>
From: STEVE ALLEN <<a href="mailto:steveallen855@centurytel.net">steveallen855@centurytel.net</a>><br>
To: <a href="mailto:at@lists.antique-tractor.com">at@lists.antique-tractor.com</a><br>
Subject: Re: [AT] UPDATE on the Long-over-due Update<br>
Message-ID: <VWZ5U89LDQU4.HKY3T0DK4JWH2@luweb02oc><br>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"<br>
<br>
Gentlemen, We have had a good tractor repair day!<br>
<br>
Over the course of a few previous days, we stripped Old John down again--not quite as far but far enough to let us unbolt the governor and turn it over. One of the weights had gotten wedged against the inside of the case when we put it on, not thinking about keeping them in place The thrust bearing--which is a three-piece unit--had slipped past the arm allowing the weights to get out of position. Had no idea such a thing was possible, but we know NOW. Please God, we will never have to take the governor off Old John (or the two As), but we are now forearmed. An old JD service man would probably have known by instinct and experience. One of those things that don't get into the manual because those old guys had each other to learn from.<br>
<br>
<br>
Anyway, we had to pop off the side cover to get the weight loose without prying too hard on it--those are expensive to replace!--but all went back together fine. I held the weights and bearing in place as we flipped it over this time. bolted it back down and, with a great deal of relief, turned everything over. When we put it down, it ended up one tooth off on the cam gear, so we had to loosen (but not remove) the bolts and turn the flywheel to get the marks lined back up, but that went easy-peasy. We put it all back together to the point of installing the mag but were just too beat to do so--and it was supper time.<br>
<br>
<br>
Lots of rain predicted for the coming weekend, unfortunately. The next two weekends after that are committed to other activities, so it may be the Independence Day weekend before we can put the mag on and try to fire him up. Quite the ordeal to get the manifold on, but we are looking forward to having two working tractors. Then, we'll tighten down the flywheel on the '49 A, and maybe we'll have three!<br>
<br>
<br>
I hope that all of you out there are getting in time on your old iron. My son was super irritated about the whole thing, and the tough spots we hit yesterday aggravated his irritation, but he did admit, afterwards, to a degree of satisfaction Me, I had fun! Oh, I stepped carefully around his grumbling and furled brow, but wrenching on that tractor was very satisfying to me. And not just getting to the end but the actual doing of it retains a kind of contentment and focus that I enjoy. I think that is true for anybody who fiddles with old iron--whether it be a tractor, a car or truck, a boat, a steam locomotive (I know guys who have done that)--irritating as the details can be, it is really a kind of relaxation. Despite my long academic career, and my new move into the seminary, I have always liked working with my hands. <br>
<br>
<br>
May we all have something to work on as long as it pleases us to do so, and thanks to all who gave any input, even just the delight at seeing ATIS traffic!<br>
<br>
<br>
The "original" Steve Allen<br>
'47 B - 207862<br>
'49 A - 641033<br>
'51 A - 670397<br>
<br>
<br>
On Mon, 2 Jun, 2025 at 3:00 PM, <a href="mailto:at-request@lists.antique-tractor.com">at-request@lists.antique-tractor.com</a> <<a href="mailto:at-request@lists.antique-tractor.com">at-request@lists.antique-tractor.com</a>> wrote:<br>
<br>
<br>
Message: 1<br>
Date: Sun, 01 Jun 2025 15:25:45 -0700<br>
From: STEVE ALLEN <<a href="mailto:steveallen855@centurytel.net">steveallen855@centurytel.net</a><mailto:<a href="mailto:steveallen855@centurytel.net">steveallen855@centurytel.net</a>>><br>
To: <a href="mailto:at@lists.antique-tractor.com">at@lists.antique-tractor.com</a><mailto:<a href="mailto:at@lists.antique-tractor.com">at@lists.antique-tractor.com</a>><br>
Subject: [AT] Long-over-due Update<br>
Message-ID: <D0A0DI89BQU4.T0XAUHQDMVGC@luweb03oc><br>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"<br>
<br>
Gentlemen!<br>
<br>
<br>
I hope this missive reaches folks who are doing well! Lots of changes in my life in the last year and a half, but, before I get personal, I have a real-life tractor conundrum.<br>
<br>
<br>
It has to do with my son's '47 B - 207862. If you'll remember, we had to replace the manifold on it. This took a while, partly because the cold and wet of winter caught us partway through getting ready to put the new manifold on (broken stud, but that's not the subject of the question, just a cause for delay).<br>
Had just about everything off above the engine to replace the manifold Took the governor/fan assembly off whole. Everything moved just fine.<br>
When going back together we timed it per book instructions. Got to the point of putting the mag on, and the whole thing was locked up. Went through the various possibilities until it was time to test the governor. We unbolted it, pried it up, and everything turned EXCEPT the governor. Now, everything needs to come back off.<br>
While we're getting it apart, what should we expect inside the governor?It turned when we put it on so that we could put the gears in alignment. What could have happened when we then set it down and put in the bolts that would have locked it?<br>
Any thoughts welcome and appreciated.<br>
Everything is going well with the '51 A--we used it a couple weeks ago to mow and pull a dead tree oughta the creek. My son bought a 207 Gyramor that we're rehabbing, which really doesn't need much (though it'd be nice to have a set of blades). The one thing that we'd love to have (but can live without) is an axle--someone buggered up one end of the original, and we can no longer reverse the wheel arms. If anyone knows of an axle or a parts machine, please send up a flare.<br>
No progress on the '49 EXCEPT that I have determined that the flywheel, which we thought was tight, ain't. So we gotta get after tightening it down. I think I will pull the bolts out one at a time and reclean the threads. We'll have to reset the position, but I hope not by much.<br>
We pulled the land wheel off the 4b plow, and I demounted the rotten tire. Great use of a Hi-lift Jack and a tractor drawbar. Cleaned up the inside of the bead--not really all that bad--in fact, the whole hub and guts are in durn nice shape--and need to get it to the tire shop for a new tire and tube. Can't hurry about that, though: need to put a power steering gear box on my '95 Tahoe first. Priorities.<br>
Always somethin', ain't it?<br>
<br>
<br>
Anyway, I again hope everyone is doing well, and, as always, I would appreciate any advice or ideas you might have there is such a wealth of info here.<br>
The "original" Steve Allen<br>
'47 B - 207862<br>
'49 A - 641033<br>
'51 A - 670397<br>
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