Cub 154 question

Lynn Patrick · Dec 27, 2016

I usually hang out on the Ford forums here, so I'm not sure if this is the right forum for my question, but know someone will direct me if there is a better one. Anyway, here goes -
I have a 154 Cub Lo Boy that needs an engine rebuild (oil leaks & low compression). I really like this tractor as my main lawn mower, but wish it had more horsepower. What is my best solution, bore bigger (how much?) or is there an engine from another Farmall/IH that will bolt in?
Thanks in advance for any help.

khouse6 · Dec 27, 2016

bringing compression up will give engine more power, of course. might shave the head a wee bit. maybe others will have additional suggestions

gene bender · Dec 28, 2016

You get new rings and a valve job you probably will have enough HP again weak engines with new stuff usually will be a good surprise having more HP

K-Mo · Dec 28, 2016

The 184 and 185 Cubs are the same engine but with a zenith carburetor and higher RPMs. These tractors have plenty of power for lawn mowing, but not for bush hogging. Make sure you are running at full specified RPM. The throttle cable is a poor design and often prevents full RPM. A couple hundred RPM makes a big difference. I replace my throttle cable with a mechanical linkage. Make a small rock shaft to transfer linkage to the left side of the engine and a rod straight back to the throttle lever.

BarnyardEngineering · Dec 28, 2016

There's not a lot you can do to the engine to gain any appreciable/usable horsepower, and no other engines will fit without a lot of modification.

It is a 60 cubes sleeveless flat head engine. Save the overboring for cleaning up the cylinders for future rebuilds. IIRC once you hit .060 over, the block is scrap.

Just overhauling the engine will give you an appreciable gain in HP if it's really that bad. Low compression? Using oil?

teddy52food · Dec 28, 2016

Just get it bored to the size that cleans it up. New rings on worn cylinders don't help that much. Get the valves and guides in shape too. Get a high altitude piston set if you can. Make sure the head is flat or get it planed.

Lynn Patrick · Dec 28, 2016

Thanks All. That was what I figured from my TractorData research on IH engines, but I was hoping!
K-Mo, could you send me more pics of your throttle linkage? I have often thought about trying to make something like that.
Thanks again! Happy New Year to all!!

John M · Dec 28, 2016

My 154 is bored at I think 30 over, not sure, cant remember what the guy I bought it from told me now. I have the Zenith carb on it, and
it had a Prestolite distributor on it when I bought it. With the mower most of the way up, I can easily mow 2ft high dry weeds, and some
higher if they are thin, in 2nd. The engine only has like maybe 200 hours on it since it was rebuilt.

I too would like to see more of the throttle set up KMO has.

Cub 154 question

Lynn Patrick

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khouse6

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gene bender

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K-Mo

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BarnyardEngineering

Well-known Member

teddy52food

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Lynn Patrick

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John M

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