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<div class="rteDiv"></div><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px">Time gets away from me, gentlemen! I coulda sworn I had sent an update since 6/9. </p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px"><br>
</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px">I think I did last Monday? Here's the gist of that episode:</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px"><br>
</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px">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 flak 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.</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px"><br>
</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px">That was then; this is now:</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px"><br>
</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px">We spent some time timing the mag--and we couldn't get it to trio when it should've. We even moved the gear a tooth--which I knew was wrong but I wanted to see what would happen--and the impulse didn't trip until the crank was about 75 degrees off. Well, that's no good. So it occurred to me that the mag itself might be out of time. The lag angle can be adjusted something like 50 degrees in either direction just by loosening the impulse hold-down screws and rotating. A witness mark moves along a scale. The manual lays the procedure out clearly enough. So we pulled the mag back off and--lo! and behold!--the mag was set as far in one direction as it could go. The proper lag angle is stamped on the case, and it was 'way off. So we loosened the screws, set the angle properly, and tightened them down. How the old boy ran at all two years ago *I* don't know. When we remounted the mag, the impulse tripped exactly where it should. A win!</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px"><br>
</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px">Then I let my son reassemble the rest while I did other necessary jobs. Then, we checked the oil--good--and the condensation in the bottom of the crankcase--negligible. The fuel valve on the sediment bowl froze un place, so we had to cobble together a shut off to control fuel flow--and our cobble was only about 50% effective. *sigh*</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px"><br>
</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px">Poured in the antifreeze. When the level climbed above the top of the block, it cam leaking out of the gasket under the upper water pipe. Tightening it did not stop the leak though it did slow it down. We'll have to find or make a gasket. We didn't have a battery that fit the box, so I drove one of my Tahoes around and hocked up the jumper cables. No gas--had to blow out the old rubber hose and fittings--I hate mud daubers. Finally: gas at the carb. Hit the starter. Second revolution--Pop! Forgot the take the cans off. Tried again. Second revolution--pop-pop! Once more around, and he was running, and running well!</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px"><br>
</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px">Yeah, the coolant was still leaking, and then he started losing a little oil at the fitting where the gauge pipe is--got kinked in a previous step in the process. But he was running well--near as we can figure not being able to move him--wanted to shut him down and save coolant and oil.</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px"><br>
</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px">So I call today a Big Win. The yonker is not so sure--still frustrated, and now needs to chase some more parts. He quite doesn't understand that he is essentially bringing a "mostly dead" tractor back to life. He would also like to stop spending $$$$. *chuckle* I get it. But we are so close after all the frustration. </p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px"><br>
</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px">In related news, we have the new tire on the No 4b plow and I have done a little prep on the '49 A.</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px"><br>
</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px">No tractor time this week alas, for I have to run our region's National Civil War Artillery Association b-annual School of the Piece next weekend, and I still have to do my coursework and prepare to preach this coming Sunday. </p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px"><br>
</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px">So I should have another update after the holiday weekend--Lord willin' and the crick don't rise. Hope someone out there is at least gettin' seat time!</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><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px"><br>
</p><p style="margin-top:2px; margin-bottom:2px"><br>
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</p><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>
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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