Just bought an A

crebellocfd

New User
Hello all , brand new to this forum. I just picked up a farmall a to help me on my land. I have a few questions for you guys.

If the tractor runs fine , should I order the magneto rebuild kit or just leave it be ?

Where is the full plug for the transmission , as the gearbox has a small leak and loses fluid?

It seems that my starter doesn't do too well, it smokes when it's held in to start the tractor , when it does work the tractor runs great with no problems .. I took off the band around it where you can see inside of it and I can see the wires heating up and melting , I ordered a new starter in hopes that it will be just fine
 
(quoted from post at 06:09:01 12/28/14) Hello all , brand new to this forum. I just picked up a farmall a to help me on my land. I have a few questions for you guys.

If the tractor runs fine , should I order the magneto rebuild kit or just leave it be ?

Where is the full plug for the transmission , as the gearbox has a small leak and loses fluid?

It seems that my starter doesn't do too well, it smokes when it's held in to start the tractor , when it does work the tractor runs great with no problems .. I took off the band around it where you can see inside of it and I can see the wires heating up and melting , I ordered a new starter in hopes that it will be just fine

Ok....my observations are that you aren't a mechanic or at least an expierenced mechanic. Right? The starter doing as you describe just means that it will need rebuilding by a starter shop or yourself (it isn't much to it). I would bet that the starter is original, and if it is then it is MUCH BETTER than what you just bought. The replacement starters will work ok but prolly not for long. Don't throw the other starter away!! I would have it rebuilt and put it on a shelf if you decide to keep the new starter.

Next, the transmission looses fluid? Sounds like it has a bad axle seal or seals. Not a hard job to fix but it is a little bit of work. Any tractor mechanic could do it for you if you wanted. The seal itself is about $10 or less.

Why order a magneto rebuild kit if it isn't showing any problems? These kind of systems don't care whether the parts are new or 50 years old.....as long as it works, it works. If it doesn't then give it the parts it needs rather "throwing parts at it" for no reason except that they are new.

Hope this helps you out!

OH.........you didn't say whether it is a Farmall 'A' or a Farmall Super A...the Super A has a mid-hydraulic lift (under the gas tank) where the 'A' doesn't.
 
Well since you asked .....
1. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Seriously.
2. Go get some peanut butter jars, the clear plastic kind, the Peter Pan kind like, and clean them up, and save every EVERY nut / bolt / lock-wire / piece / part you remove to work on. The old dot bolts are especially cool. And somewhat valuable. I fojnd on my Farmall H the tapered clutch pivot part bolts are VERY valuable, about $45 each, .... save every piece and part. You'll be glad you did.
 
Those mags are usually trouble free if it starts and runs nothing is needed. But you do ned to remove the starter and get it refreshed an easy fix. You new one probably wont work unless you do get the correct one too many are listed as replacements but arent fitted with the button for the starter sw. Your fluid level for the tranny is located behind the brake rod on the left side of the seat. Drain and refill with 90wt
 
All comments/suggestions are accuret/correct.But I
would add couple things. Since you are a 'newbie'(no
offence),order an owners manual,a parts book and a
service manual.On the starter issue, Be sure and
replace the cables with new ones of sufficent size
to carry 6 volts.Then hook the ground directly to a starter mounting bolt Those thin automotive cables wont
carry enough 'juice' for 6V. thin cables can also
cause premature starter failure and other starting
issues.Good luck and enjoy your 'new' old tractor!
 
Spend your money on a manual, then go SLOW from there. I would not touch anything at this point if it is working.

Post here BEFORE you start something, many good people and a lot of knowledge. I have taken way more apart than needed, if I just asked first.
 
Pull the drain plug on the trans and see how much
water is in there . The water settles to the bottom
and raises the oil level to the point it will leak
out .....
 
(quoted from post at 22:50:50 12/28/14) I will add, get an operators and service manual.

And I would like to add.... Get original IH manuals (reprint is ok). Don't buy an I&T manual or some other crap like the ones that this site sells. Those will not help. If you want I have nice original reprints if you're interested. My email is open.
 
Thanks guys for the help

I am a full time firefighter , not a mechanic lol but I can turn a wrench once I know what I'm supposed to do.

As far as the leak , it's a gasket between the gearbox and the transmission , so I should probably fill through the plug on top of the gearbox ?

With using your advice I will leave everything that is fine alone ! I'll just change all fluids, clean her up and use her like she craves !

I will have many questions as I go , I will probably email you guys individually instead of flooding the forum , thanks again
 
Nothing wrong with flooding the forum, that way we all have an opportunity to learn something or help out.
binderbooks is a good source for good reprints.
Have fun with your 'A'
Dennis
 
Here's the manual I bought in 1975 for $4.00 when I bought a Farmall A in sad condition for $100.00 and that included the plow. Hal
a177756.jpg

a177757.jpg
 
Congrats on the A, I have a '50 model SA and have restored several implements. I also am a full time FF so drop a note if you like
 
Another newbie question

So our first good snow storm is on the way and I plan to do a lot of plowing with the A. My question is regarding cooling. I have dumped half a gallon of green coolant into the radiator so the water in there wouldn't freeze . What is the absolute correct way of doing things so my tractor can run safely for a good amount of time . I want to take care of this before the snow actually gets here

Looking forward to responses you guys have Been very helpful to me so far
 
You located in south Florida? The cooling system holds about 13 quarts. A half gallon of antifreeze only gets you down to about +25.

Since there is no water pump, it will not mix easily in the engine. Drain the system then premix in a bucket.

If you are someplace really cold, blocking air flow through the radiator will help keep the engine temperature up.
 

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