1947 Farmall M Update

Hey guys,

Been a while since I gave an update. I'm up to "Episode 11" now on my YouTube channel, but realistically there hasn't been much progress on the M. Went over to work on cleaning the frame rails and bolster the other day (not exactly video worthy). Found that one of the bolts that held the loader on that was on it at the salvage yard is twisted off in the front bolster, so I was going to pull that frame rail off to weld a nut to that and turn it out.. Got started on removing the frame rail to bolster bolts, and twisted one of four off on one side (after spraying everything with PB Blaster and letting soak a while). Went to the other side, twisted off one as well. Not real happy about it, but it is what it is. I'll have to get some heat on three of the eight - they didn't seem like they wanted to budge. So, I've got two twisted off (+1 from the loader mount), three came out easy, and three seem like they don't want to budge.

Also got the throwout bearing and carrier out - it feels pretty good but figured while I am this far into it I might as well replace it.

As far as the machine shop goes - still have not heard progress on the block/head/rods/flywheel (been over two months now at the new shop). I called on 5/9, they told me that it would all be done by the end of the week (5/13)... Didn't hear anything so I called again on 5/18 - No answer. Straight to voicemail. Stopped in about 3:45 pm yesterday and the shop 'laborer' came out front. Told him I wanted to check on my parts and he said that the owner had left for the day (he knew nothing about the parts), but that I could leave my name and number and he would get back to me. Haven't heard nothing yet. Seems like I am getting the runaround, so Thursday I will probably stop in again if I have time (I'll be in the area); if I don't hear from them before then.

About all I could do this week was clean the fuel tank, and put a nice coat of sealer in it. Little by little...

Really hoping to have this thing running at least by August!

ken iirc, the bolt holes go thru on the bolster to rail mounts. my 48 m had 3 of em broke off when i got the tractor. i drilled a small pilot hole thru the broken bolts and used the torch to heat them cherry red a couple times, then re-drilled for a big ez out. they did come out. candlewax is good too.

the bolt holes do go thru

Don't feel bad, I ended up drilling out 6 of 8 on a 350 bolster last year.

On the machine shop: "Hmmm...."

I've been waiting to hear how your M is coming along. At some point these projects always seem to become "endless" but then one day while you are working on it you will look around and realize there is only one more piece to put on and she will be ready to start. Keep us posted, Mark

I'll have to try to get at them from up underneath, maybe. I was looking to see if they went through but couldn't see much from the top side.

Slowly but surely it is coming along - pretty much still waiting on the machine shop. I order little parts here and there. Going to get my pilot bearing/throwout bearing, sediment bowl, and connecting rod bolt lock tabs coming.. After that it will be plug wires and gauges. That should be about it besides fluids to get her back together and running. After that we will see what the transmission sounds like (I may just drain the fluid from my Case SC and put it in the M. No point in putting in new fluid if the gears and bearings sound bad after a test drive. Case could use new rear fluid anyhow.

I won't be painting until we get into our next house (hopefully with a pole barn or addition shop space), as the tractor will be stored outside. I'll keep her in her work clothes for a while.

I'm going to avoid an EZ Out if I can. I have heard plenty of horror stories of broken ones (I have broken a tap or two and they are a pain themselves to remove). I'm thinking that using some heat and lube will get them out - and if it doesn't hopefully welding a nut on and turning them out will. Otherwise I will do my best to drill and tap the holes to clean them up.