Farmall M hotrod

Kj88 · Feb 19, 2023

I have an M with a tired engine. The other tractors I have are more comfortable and capable so Im tossing around the idea of making some kind of hotrod for driving around out of the M. Would it be difficult to rebuild the original engine and upgrade it to handle higher rpm? I know the flywheel issue will need addressed. I will need a different cam and the bottom end will need beefed up to handle the extra stress from the increased rotation speeds. Can anyone think off any other issues? Im wanting to target close to 2500 rpm. Again, Im just tossing the idea around. I haven t committed to anything. I thought it might be easier than an engine swap. Im more of a wrench turner and not skilled in fabrication. Maybe it will be more of a pain than what Im thinking it will be. Any ideas are welcome.

Edit: To clarify Im not trying to achieve highway speeds. 25-30 mph would be plenty fast enough for what Im wanting to do with it. Ive seen other builds with the v8 conversion going down the road at 34-35 mph without issue.

This post was edited by Kj88 on 02/20/2023 at 03:52 am.

NY 986 · Feb 19, 2023

You would have to find a different crankshaft as tractors made then ran 1500 RPM's or less. Overspeeding the engine with
original hardware often meant a broken crankshaft. Stroker cranks used to be made for pulling tractors. Not sure how available
those are anymore.

rustred · Feb 19, 2023

I would say when u decide what u are going to go then u
could have questions answered. Hardly think u have to
worry about a flywheel with a slight increase in rpm. Or
just put a 350 Chevy v8 in it.

Janicholson · Feb 19, 2023

A three main bearing 4 cylinder is not prime meat for RPM. It is also a non balanced flat plane crank with the pistons and rods as equal partners in the symmetric balance it does have. remember that pullers often crank them in that range, but expect to put effort into keeping it together long enough to earn the 10 dollar trophy. It is pretty easy to make more power, just not more RPM. A Farmall M is about at its fundamental handling limit at 20mph, so choose wisely your intention. 75 hp can be achieved, but not without bucks and then with drive train limits if used in the field. Just my opinion. Jim

Steve@Advance · Feb 19, 2023

Just because you can make it go faster doesn't mean it will be practical to
do so!

With ridged suspension and big, bouncy tires, things can get out of control
really quick!!!

Best to invest your efforts into a Jeep or ATV.

redforlife · Feb 20, 2023

I have heard tell of/seen pictures of,
slipping a V-8 into one. I'm not sure how
they handled the flywheel/clutch situation.
May of just lengthened the frame rails,
used the clutch assembly on the V-8, and
just ran a shaft through an empty M bell
housing. I really don't know what they did.
Just guessing that would be easier than
trying to fabricate a bell housing or an
adapter, and trying to use the M flywheel
and clutch assembly.

I don't know about being a candidate for a
hot rod. To much difference between 4th and
5th gear in an M. Alot of RPM's would
likely just make 4th gear equivalent to
5th. And 5th gear, a gear you'd just want
to stay out of.
I wouldn't be scared to take an M down the
road at 20 to 25 MPH (10 MPH over thier top
speed). But if you are thinking of speeds
over 30 MPH, I would sure do something
different than converting an M into a hot
rod. I'd go to the junk yard, and find an
old car or truck body and chasis. Put your
rebuilt V-8 in that. Go down the road as
fast as you want with your V-8, and have no
worries.

Alot of vehicles parked in junkyards with
only engine or transmission problems.

r.w.b. · Feb 20, 2023

streach frame install a v8 with automatic coupled to input shaft

Kj88 · Feb 20, 2023

(quoted from post at 23:47:25 02/19/23) I have heard tell of/seen pictures of,
slipping a V-8 into one. I'm not sure how
they handled the flywheel/clutch situation.
May of just lengthened the frame rails,
used the clutch assembly on the V-8, and
just ran a shaft through an empty M bell
housing. I really don't know what they did.
Just guessing that would be easier than
trying to fabricate a bell housing or an
adapter, and trying to use the M flywheel
and clutch assembly.

I don't know about being a candidate for a
hot rod. To much difference between 4th and
5th gear in an M. Alot of RPM's would
likely just make 4th gear equivalent to
5th. And 5th gear, a gear you'd just want
to stay out of.
I wouldn't be scared to take an M down the
road at 20 to 25 MPH (10 MPH over thier top
speed). But if you are thinking of speeds
over 30 MPH, I would sure do something
different than converting an M into a hot
rod. I'd go to the junk yard, and find an
old car or truck body and chasis. Put your
rebuilt V-8 in that. Go down the road as
fast as you want with your V-8, and have no
worries.

Alot of vehicles parked in junkyards with
only engine or transmission problems.

I was thinking of achieving around 30mph nothing more. Just enough speed for backroads. Ive also considered going the v8 route. Thought Id ask what potential the original engine has before going down that road. I already have an old 3 on the tree six banger for doing the same thing Im wanting to do with the M. I was just looking to do something different with the M other than restoring it to stock.

Kj88 · Feb 20, 2023

I understand the safety concerns and don t plan on driving in an unsafe manner or poorly maintained roads. Im not intending to going over 25-30 mph. I know some v8 conversions get up to 35mph without issue. This wouldn t be something I would do for practical purposes. Im more so interested in just enjoying the project and having something different.

VicS · Feb 20, 2023

I think your engine is a lot better than
you think. Have a machine shop make a
bullet flywheel. Take your engine apart
and balance everything. Competition came
at Memphis can regains your cam. To a
Chevy trailer tow grind. Then stronger
valve springs. 3000 rpm will be easy. Also
think about just bigger tires. 18.4 x 38
or 20.8x 38. Our old M would go 25 on 14.9
x 38's anyway with a M and W Gov.

showcrop · Feb 20, 2023

Just buy a retired school bus with a Cummins diesel and swap it in. A few years ago at one of the tractor pulls the announcer made a sick joke: He announced that someone had left a Farmall dip stick on the scale. Everyone knew that all the Farmalls were running Cummins.

Geo-TH,In · Feb 20, 2023

There are conversion kits to turn muscle cars into EVs.
I saw a logging company in Canada convert their semi to EVs and
had problems twisting off the rear axle.

If you want something to go fast and a short distance be the
first on YT to go electric.

You may want bald tires to do burnouts.

jon f mn · Feb 20, 2023

An international V-8 will bolt right in.
Might be some extra in some old 815/915
combines. Also old trucks use them. I thin
they were 345 and 392ci. A neighbor did
one and it's almost a direct bolt in. All
the hoods fit and it looked like factory
when he was done.

Kj88 · Feb 20, 2023

(quoted from post at 07:03:32 02/20/23) An international V-8 will bolt right in.
Might be some extra in some old 815/915
combines. Also old trucks use them. I thin
they were 345 and 392ci. A neighbor did
one and it's almost a direct bolt in. All
the hoods fit and it looked like factory
when he was done.

Thats really cool! I didn t know that. Thanks, I will have to look into that.

Kj88 · Feb 20, 2023

Thats kinda along the lines of what I had in mind. I figured if the engine was going to be torn down anyway there had to be some improvements that could be made to get a few more revs out of it.

John M · Feb 20, 2023

(quoted from post at 06:48:26 02/20/23) There are conversion kits to turn muscle cars into EVs.
I saw a logging company in Canada convert their semi to EVs and
had problems twisting off the rear axle.

If you want something to go fast and a short distance be the
first on YT to go electric.

You may want bald tires to do burnouts.

No, he wouldnt. The couple who did left YT because the trolls made fun of them, put them down, or called them rediculous for doing it.

NY 986 · Feb 20, 2023

?????

John M · Feb 20, 2023

(quoted from post at 08:28:07 02/20/23) ?????

George said the OP would be the first to go electric on a tractor on YT. That is a false statement as 2 others have done it in the past. One was a Cub, the other Im pretty sure was either an A or B Farmall. IIRC, and Im sure I do, the one guy was called an idiot for "ruining a perfectly good tractor", and the other left shorlty after posting because one of the regulars told him he was stupid for doing it.

omahagreg · Feb 20, 2023

This one involved allot of fabrication but it sure looked nice! A GM V12! Said it was always overheating so would only parade it!

560Dennis · Feb 20, 2023

Thats the hot set up !

Farmall M hotrod

New User

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

New User

New User

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

New User

New User

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Similar threads