Nearly Completed the Cub

 

 

Sunday afternoon I took the plunge and added fuel to the gas tank of the Cub. Then I tightened loose connections such as the fuel filter bowl so gasoline would not be dripping. It all seems to be holding. At this time I have perhaps a gallon of gas in the tank to find out whether it will hold properly. Later I can fill it up or at least put maybe four gallons in it.

 

The hydraulic system needed filling so I removed the filler plug and used the last of the five gallon container that I bought for the 8N Ford. I thought I had another 5 gallon pail or bucket and that turned out to be 90 weight gear oil. Had I remembered that, I would have used it to fill the rear end of the Cub instead of buying gallons of the stuff individually. I moved the 5 gallon container to a location where it is visible in my Tractor building so it will be available for use next time.

 

Earlier in the week I had painted the fuel cap and radiator cap IH red color. Both were new replacements for worn original items. It looks good.

 

Finally, after removing the battery box, I cut a one inch hole at the rear of it and added the rubber grommet seen in the photo. To cut the one inch hole I ended up using a small drill bit and drilling holes around the marked one inch circle. Then a Dremel tool was used to cut between the holes and, after a cold chisel finished the cut, a grinding bit was used to smooth the one inch hole. Finally a long round file was used to shape the hole and get to final size. The grommet went on easily. The replacement seven foot long battery cable will be threaded through the hole, run down below by the PTO lever, underneath the platform, up the right side of the tractor, under the hood, and down to the starter.

 

The final thing will be to get the lights working again. I think it is simply a wire to the switch; however, it is pretty crowded back under there now and very difficult to get to. I did manage to short the starter cable to the ground, make sparks, and burn out the twenty amp fuse. Even replacing the fuse was a challenge, yet I got it done.

 

Tractor Boy