124 restoration

[HoosierIHCC124]

I have a 124 Cub I bought from my grandparents when I was 12 years old. My grandpa had restored it once before so it was in decent condition. I was a kid and blew the engine up on accident. So I rolled it into the garage but vowed to never sell it. When I was 20 years old I did a half-ass job restoring it. I thought I could get away with just a new rod and use the same piston/rings but it smokes pretty bad. I never got the carb quite right either. Would automatically take off to WOT so I assume I adjusted the linkage wrong on the governor.


Anyways, now I'm 28 years old and I have what it takes to give this tractor a proper restoration. This is my first attempt at stripping something to the frame and restoring it so any tips, advice, pointers, etc.. is most welcome!

My long-term goal is to have it looking/functioning like-new so it can be handed down for generations to come. My grandmother passed from colon cancer at 58 years of age. I was 14 years old at the time and took it hard. This tractor has always meant something special to me because I can still hear her in my head telling Papaw to sell the tractor to me for $200. He didn't want to but he did. I was always thankful for her and I'm doing this for her.

I'll do my best to post updates with pictures of the tractor.

[HoosierIHCC124]

Here is the tractor just before I started stripping it.

[HoosierIHCC124]

I removed the dash tower, hood, seat, and engine. The steering wheel would not free you after using three different pullers and letting PB Blast soak in it for a few days. Therefore I resorted to taking my Dewalt reciprocating saw to it and cutting the shaft. I just figure it probably needed a new shaft regardless so I’ll rebuild the current column with a new shaft.

[HoosierIHCC124]

I rolled the tractor out of the shed and sprayed it off with the garden hose. After it dried off I rolled it back into the shed to begin striping the paint. This is a liquid paint remover I found at Rural King. I spent about an hour and used about half of the gallon jug. This is how far I got. This was last night. I wanted to keep going but it got late on me. I’m going to get right back to it today as soon as I leave work. I’m excited to get it down to metal and ready for primer and then paint!

The engine still needs rebuilt and I haven’t made up my mind as to how I’m going to go about it. I’d like to take it to a machine shop for the bore, possibly crank, and maybe the valve job. I’d like to assemble it myself but maybe it’d be easier to let them do it? I’m not sure of the best way to go about it. Just a 12hp Kohler..

[cooperino]

Lookin good so far!
As far as the build goes. Really depends on your skill level which we have no idea of. Have you ever reassembled an engine before?

[HoosierIHCC124]

Thank you Cooperino. Yes, I have rebuilt a Honda Civic and rebuilt a few mopeds. lol I’ve always been into cars and trucks, gas and diesel. I’ve always worked on my own stuff.

[cooperino]

Originally Posted by HoosierIHCC124

Thank you Cooperino. Yes, I have rebuilt a Honda Civic and rebuilt a few mopeds. lol I’ve always been into cars and trucks, gas and diesel. I’ve always worked on my own stuff.

Well, It sounds like you have a good grasp on tools and how to use them. Take a look at the engine service manual. It details engine assembly. If you still feel comfortable after that I say God Speed to ya!

I would send block to a machine shop for sure. Let them tell you what oversize piston to purchase etc.

[HoosierIHCC124]

I’ve been striping paint for the last hour or so.. making progress. Slowly, but surely! Really trying not to rush it!

[IHCubCadet147]

Looking good!

[HoosierIHCC124]

Originally Posted by IHCubCadet147

Looking good!

Thank you sir! It’s a process... but it works. I wish I had a nice sandblaster!