Hello everyone... Been busy with side jobs lately, and haven't heard much from the machine shop. Called them today to check on things and they said that hopefully everything will be done by the end of the week (fingers crossed).

As I said below.. I ended up picking up a couple of used Firestone Field & Road 13.6-38's and will be putting them on the M (the tires that are on there have some holes and gashes where the tube is coming through).

Question:

When looking at the throwout bearings for this M, it lists two different sizes. Without being able to get a micrometer in the clutch housing to measure the bearing, does anyone know off hand what size I will need? I can tell just by rotating the bearing that it needs to be replaced. There seems to be some worn spots in the race. I figured I better replace it while I am in there (I assume I can do it without removing the belly pump)?

Thanks for the help as always... And as of today we are at "Episode 11" of the Farmall M YouTube mini-series (it will be live this evening).

• 1947 Farmall M Episode 11

Thread locker will skew your torque wrench readings. I would not use it.

If the tabs didn't break pulling the engine apart they are fine to re-use.

All M used the same bearing to my knowledge. Some places sell a grease able bearing and a sealed bearing. Maybe that's what you see or there's a mistake on listings or on my part.

Well, YT lists two, but only include measurements with one: In looking at the measurements (One listed as sealed, but only the lesser expensive - un-sealed I assume - lists measurement specs).

YT's $22.49 Bearing:

3.697" O.D.
2.249" I.D.
.7970" wide bore

Their other bearing does not list measurements, but is designated "Sealed" ($33.69).

Another site listed two different sizes and both were different sizes from the YT listed specs.

One is listed as:
Thickness: .75"
Inside Diameter: 2.25"
Outside Diameter: 3.75"
(Grease method not listed - must be greasable)
($21.00)

Another listed as:
I.D.:2.25"
O.D.: 3.805"
Thickness: .810"
(Listed as Sealed - $28.00)

I see the I.D. is the same on this competitor's bearing, but it is the O.D. and thickness that had me worried.

Yet another competitor listed a different set of specs:
2.260" inside diameter
3.650" outside diameter
0.800" thickness
($36.10)

Are the sized differences just because one is sealed versus non-sealed? I just didn't want to cause any issues with clearance. I would assume the greasable-type bearing is preferred, simply because you have the ability to grease it? All the competitor's bearings seem to have the same sized ID. YT's is listed as .25" smaller.

I'm just confused is all.....

Several numbers work. 48794D is a original type bearing. Later number used by IH is 618237R91. Think case still lists it but don't know whose bearing it is now.

Ok. I guess all of the different parts suppliers measurements threw me for a loop. I'll just order the one here from YT then! :-) Thanks for the help D Slater!

Looked just to be sure. M part book printed the first month of 1940 shows bearing 48974D. M parts book printed the third month of 1960 shows bearing 48974D and optional bearing 649106R91. Same bearing carrier shown for all. Later other bearing numbers were sold that would work.

Thanks D Slater - I checked the online Case IH parts manual and it shows the same. Looks like the pilot bearing is different for late model M's.

One other question. The connecting rod bolt lock tabs - do most replace these when reassembling? For $4.27 each seems kind of like a lot. Would some type of thread lock do the trick as well?

Just trying to get everything together so that when I get it back, all I have to do is reassemble and I am good to go!

Can't really answer your question. Have always used the locks, but managed to reuse them or use some saved from bad engine blocks. Never had to buy any. Never used a thread lock product on a rod bolt. Probably the bolts would be okay without locks but all I would have on that is a opinion.