F12 rocker arms and rocker shaft wear

SadFarmall · Feb 16, 2020

My 1937 F12 had severely worn rocker arm bushes and rocker shafts. I have had them re-bushed and purchased new shafts. All good to go again. The question, which comes to my mind is about lubrication of the rockers. When I dismantled the motor, the felt valve oiler pad was completely soaked with carbon, kerosene and some old oil and had become effectively impervious to oil seeping through. I know that 1020 tractors, Farmall Regular and others had two oil caps on the rocker cover, which the F12 lacks. Is it worth fitting them or perhaps two sight feed lubricators or should I just not worry about it?
SadFarmall

Janicholson · Feb 16, 2020

I have a positive attitude toward making technology better. If a modification works better, and is made well enough to look "proper" it is fine in my
book. I am putting digital readouts on a 1948 Brown and Sharp #1 junior 3 axis vertical mill. It will be dramatically better. Jim

rustred · Feb 16, 2020

I agree they must be lubed. I had a new shaft made for my w-12 and have not used it.

SadFarmall · Feb 16, 2020

I was thinking of fitting two sight feed lubricators. Two possible sizes, about a US fluid ounce or 1 US fluid ounces. Either size will fit easily under the hood. I have not seen mention about maintenance of the valve oiler pad in the Instruction Book, but it stands to reason it should be kept clean; probably a job at each oil change.
SadFarmall

rustred · Feb 16, 2020

the thing to do was at the start of each days work you had to oil the felt. then it oiled the valves while working. the w-30's I have got a cap you remove on valve cover to oil felt. you could tell when this was not done because the guides were worn right out.

SadFarmall · Feb 16, 2020

I think that settles it for me - it will be getting oil cups or lubricators. I don't want to have to remove the rocker cover every time the tractor is used.
SadFarmall

Oldiron29 · Feb 17, 2020

sad, your F-12 with IH head has internal oiling trough the center mounting stud. oil comes up and soaks felt and travels to each rocker.
No need for oiler caps.

SadFarmall · Feb 17, 2020

Thank you! Presumably the lack of lubrication was caused by the carbon and old oil in the felt. Another two questions come to mind from this: How long will the valve oiler pad retain oil and how long does the oil pumped up from the oil pan take to soak it sufficiently to give the rockers lubrication? I suppose if the tractor were in use every day, it would not be an issue, but if it sits around for days or weeks. Perhaps I just need to avoid laziness and just oil the pad after the tractor has been sitting for a while!
SadFarmall

Dave S. · Feb 18, 2020

There is a oil hole drilled in one of the bolts or studs that holds the center post down. Make sure someone has not replaced this with a solid one.

F12 rocker arms and rocker shaft wear

SadFarmall

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Janicholson

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rustred

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SadFarmall

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rustred

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SadFarmall

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Oldiron29

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SadFarmall

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Dave S.

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