B lubrication question

The SAE 20W oil that Greg mentions below for the final drive lubrication is recommended by the last version of the B Operator's Manual. It wasn't always that way. The original "Parts Book and Operating Instructions" that came with my '42B indicates to use SAE 90 or SAE 140 in that particular application, depending on ambient temperature. If you drop the final drive pans you may find the heavier oil in there that was used in the earlier Bs. That oil never got changed in many tractors due to the fact there was no original drain plug and you had to drop the entire pan on each side to change it - or try to suck it it out through the fill hole. I actually prefer the heavier oil and use SAE80W-90 in my B at all times. I also added an easy way to drain it out w/o having to drop the pans in the future (click on the thumbnail to view a full sized picture):

The air filter has a wire mesh internal that is not easily replaceable. I clean mine by washing with gasoline. Use standard engine oil in the cleaner cup.

Following up on Greg's reference to your earlier post linking to pictures of your B, I see that the left rear rim appears to have the original early persian orange paint on it. If true, that certainly lends credibility to the argument that some Bs had painted rear rims and not galvanized as many seem to claim quite authoritatively. Galvanizing was probably dominant in the later years but every thing I have read and seen suggests that many, if not most, of the earlier Bs had rear rims painted the same color as the tractor. This subject seems to be the source of considerable argument among B and C enthusiasts. I actually prefer the orange to the silver color. Which is why I painted mine that early persian shade.

Rod

Oil sump, 4 qt. SAE 30 in the summer and SAE 20 in thw winter. I use multiple viscosity in mine.

Steering Gear, SAE 140 at all times. Fill to plug.

Final Drives, 1.5 pnts. eack. SAE 20 at all times.

Transmission/Hydraulic Pump, 6 qt. without PTO and 7 qt. with PTO. SAE 20 at all times, fill to plug.

I've never seen a B with any other air cleaning medium than the oil cup. If you have some other element it was likely added.
If I were you I'd get an operator's manual and a shop manual. They are available from links on this site I believe, and also usually for sale at steam shows this time of year.

Thanks again for the answers to my questions. I'm sure I'll have more in the near future.