The Farmall that started it all

KWRB · Apr 20, 2017

My father passed away about ten years ago. I was a senior in college. Among the things I inherited was the Farmall he bought shortly after marrying my mom. I have a ton of memories on that thing. Well, fast forward to a few years ago, and I was mowing when the crankshaft broke. It was the closest to bronc riding I've ever been.

I decided that since I was going to tear down the engine to replace it, that I might as well restore the whole thing. My father and grandfather restored a bunch of tractors when I was a kid. The highlights are my great grandfather's 1937 Deere BO, and a McCormick OS-4. The OS-4 got sold out from underneath me the day after my father died, along with the other beautifully restored Farmall, an H.

Nonetheless, I think the C, in its faded and rusty glory was the most important, just because of my history with it. It was the first thing I ever drove.

Any way, I've torn down most of the thing and I'm realizing my I&T manual isn't exactly comprehensive. Does anyone know what manual would have information regarding torques, backlash, part numbers, etc? I guess I'm thinking, like a dealership shop manual of something. I've seen some for sale online, but I'd like to avoid taking my chances and avoid having to buy several $30 manuals until i get a good one, if I can.

Any recommendations?

Lastly, anyone on the antique tractor pull circuit in upstate NY in the 90's 2000' might remember this tractor. It, and the H used to clean up. My dad was the guy with the long hair and curly mustache!

mcfarmall · Apr 20, 2017

I too have a faded and rusty C that belonged to my maternal grandpa and I will not restore it as I feel that it would detract from the sentimental value. Mine runs like a swiss watch and it will remain as-is. Still has all 4 original tires (no weather checking at all) original generator, regulator, etc. I have the original sales receipt from the dealer and the original operators manual.

KWRB · Apr 20, 2017

I was just fine using mine as-is (as-was) until the crank broke. That's what made me decide to tear down and restore.

Any opinions on where to find a good technical manual?

smstonypoint · Apr 20, 2017

KWRB said:
I was just fine using mine as-is (as-was) until the crank broke. That's what made me decide to tear down and restore.

Any opinions on where to find a good technical manual?

If you don't get an answer here, try posting at Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Board.

Good luck.

Steve

farmeratheart · Apr 20, 2017

I was riding standing on the axle housing leaning back against that very narrow fender of my Dad's 1950 Farmall C during one of the winters in the early 1970's when that crankshaft broke. We were returning to the barn after spreading a load of manure. I remember holding onto Dad's shoulders/neck as the ride got real rough all of a sudden. I was 11 or 12 and don't remember too much about the repair. I know he found a used crank somewhere in the midwest that was shipped to us. We also lived in upstate NY. My Dad bought that tractor new from H. L. Gage, Inc in Altamont, NY.

DJ54 · Apr 21, 2017

Unless they have changed, the old I&T manual I have has the torque values for most of the engine components. On the other hand, the I&T's lack a lot of information, or you have to do a lot of searching for info. The OEM IH Blue Ribbon manuals are the best, but are component specific. So you need a manual for each section of the tractor. All combined in a loose leaf binder will stack several inches tall. Ebay is where I've found most of mine, but prices seem to have gotten crazy in the last few years.

Doubtful you'll find part numbers in a service manual, so here is a link to the Case/IH online parts book. I went ahead, and got you as far as the Super C online parts catalog. Select a section, then scroll down to find the component. It will show an exploded view of the section you want, and part name & part numbers to the right. If you go to a dealers site such as Messicks, it will also give the part prices good at any IH dealer in the U.S. If you select a part, it will pop up in another window. You can copy that part number, and paste to a search engine, if looking at aftermarket parts, or compare prices.

Here is the link to the Case/IH online parts catalog for the Super C: Official Case IH Online Parts Store and Case IH Catalog for Best Parts Search and Best Parts Look Up. Case IH Parts for Case IH Tractors, Case IH Combines, Case IH Tractors, Case IH Manuals, Case IH Parts

Here is the link to Messicks: Messicks | Your home for New Holland, Case IH, Kubota & More... Place your cursor on the "online parts" top left in the menu, then slide down on Case/IH, and left click. Enter your model number, an go shopping.

KWRB · Apr 22, 2017

DJ54 said:
Unless they have changed, the old I&T manual I have has the torque values for most of the engine components. On the other hand, the I&T's lack a lot of information, or you have to do a lot of searching for info. The OEM IH Blue Ribbon manuals are the best, but are component specific. So you need a manual for each section of the tractor. All combined in a loose leaf binder will stack several inches tall. Ebay is where I've found most of mine, but prices seem to have gotten crazy in the last few years.

Doubtful you'll find part numbers in a service manual, so here is a link to the Case/IH online parts book. I went ahead, and got you as far as the Super C online parts catalog. Select a section, then scroll down to find the component. It will show an exploded view of the section you want, and part name & part numbers to the right. If you go to a dealers site such as Messicks, it will also give the part prices good at any IH dealer in the U.S. If you select a part, it will pop up in another window. You can copy that part number, and paste to a search engine, if looking at aftermarket parts, or compare prices.

Here is the link to the Case/IH online parts catalog for the Super C: Official Case IH Online Parts Store and Case IH Catalog for Best Parts Search and Best Parts Look Up. Case IH Parts for Case IH Tractors, Case IH Combines, Case IH Tractors, Case IH Manuals, Case IH Parts

Here is the link to Messicks: Messicks | Your home for New Holland, Case IH, Kubota & More... Place your cursor on the "online parts" top left in the menu, then slide down on Case/IH, and left click. Enter your model number, an go shopping.

THANK YOU!

I've seen the blue ribbon manuals online, and I was wondering about them. I think I'll look for pdf's to purchase. I much prefer printing out a few relevant pages at a time and taking them to the garage, and not worrying about getting my one copy greasy. As far as cost, This project isn't exactly moving at breakneck pace, so I think I'd just buy them as I went and it wouldn't hurt as much. Certainly not as much as all the $50 bearings I'm replacing! Right now, I've opened up my differential and I realy want to make sure I torque the bolts properly when I put it back together. I looks like they used a deformed thread nut when it was assembled. I was thinking about safety wiring the nuts when I reassemble it. The last thing I want is the differential coming apart in the transmission and wrecking things. Thoughts? Does anyone drill their own safety wire holes?

DJ54 · Apr 22, 2017

Yep the CD versions would be handy. Most on my manuals I had long before computers, and something that convenient.

There are torque value tables you can find online for bolts by size, grade, and thread. I have printed off several copies of those, and have in the desk in the shop, in case I run across a situation like that.

I've never drilled bolts for safety wiring, but have cleaned the bolts well with solvent, then used various grades of thread locker, to keep nuts from backing off. A small tube goes a long way.