I asked a few questions a year or so ago but now am going full tilt on getting this thing going so I can restore. First off this (presumed) Cletrac Hg-42 was found in shed with parts everywhere and a IXB-5 (with distributor-NO MAG) engine in it. I new this engine was not correct so I didn't mess with it for a while. I located an IXB engine and installed it and got it running but found out it had a stuck valve so back to reinstall the IXB-5 and got that running and found out it was rebuilt and not ran since. I would like to know where the identification tag is supposed to go, I have it and it has serial number 8GA504 (1942?) but someone painted the tractor green (should be orange right?). Anyway I am really enjoying this project and would like to thank everyone for any answers that can be given
Also I would like to find someone in Louisiana with a HG or OC3 that I can look at and maybe take some pictures
thanks alot
Hi Bryon,
I'm not an HG expert, so hopefully you'll get some more replies, but the tractor ID tag should go on the outside of the frame near where your right foot would be while sitting on the tractor. I think orange would be the color of a 1942. And I think it should have an IXK engine.
Does the IXB-5 engine you have fit ok? I didn't think the bell housing bolt pattern would be the same. If it works, I would keep it. Nothing wrong with them except they are different. We had one in a Leader tractor.
Blake
Thanks Blake, hopefully some more replies will come
The IXB-5 fit just fine and the clutch works great it just not period correct. Plus it has a distributor. But everything works.
I'm not sure when they started building IXB-5 engines. Our Leader was about 1947. I don't think it had a water pump as most IXB-3's used in late HG's and OC-3's had.
I can speak a little about the possible color. I have a early HG 1945 just after Oliver purchased
Cletrac. When I removed the bell housing got a good orginal factor color which was not faded or repainted. Have sent to a paint shop and they will mix to match. It is close to what is a fleet color called national school bus yellow. There is at least 6 school bus yellows though.when I get the paint which is being put up in spray cans I will try to give you the Ben Moore numbers. What I do not know, is if this is the color used in 42. Maybe someone out there can help? I have seen orange Syracue University color on 20ties models but the color I have was an orengy yellow shade.
I'm not sure if it is the builders plate or engine plate that you want to locate. The builders plate on mine is on the frame at end by trans facing fender with about four inches between. To read I used a small camera and then read on iPad. Good luck a lot of fun in the crawler cave. I'm installing in a model A tranny as per Dicdk Wolcott's instructions.
Got a good color match for my 1945 HG. I plan to use Benjamin Moore super spec, maintence coating, urethane alkyd gloss enamel. Color ID is 2156-20 name Pumpkin Blush, nice name for a crawler. Had put up in both qts and spray cans. Just waiting for spring as 0F degrees here now! Good luck with you restoration.
Personally, if I were going through the work of preparing to paint a tractor, I would use some kind of automotive paint, such as acrylic enamel with catalyst or something similar. I've painted tractors in the past, only to have the paint start to fade after a few years. I hate that after all that work.
Hello Byron,
Nice work on your crawler. I have a Cletrac I believe to be a '40 or '41. My tag is missing but the original engine casting date is Feb. 1940, they may have allowed the castings to "season" before machining. A year is a comon time for this. That's how I came to my HGs age. Your right frame rail should have holes or rivets that match your serial number plate on the outside of the frame rail near where the throttle lever mounts. That's where the SN plate goes.
I have an IXLB-5 engine that came in my other OC3 crawler, it also has the water pump & distributor, unfortunately my engine block had some one grind one of the valve seats excessively & several of the guides are cracked or I would rebuild it. The IXLB engines have a 1/4" longer crank throw giving it a little more displacement.
Your crawler has a strange grille on it, normally they are a 3 piece grille with slits instead of the holes like yours, with separate side panels. Anyone else seen a grille like byrons?
It looks like the tracks on your machine are "ice tracks", for use on ice.
They cut the grousers, the rib that sticks up on each track, into five sections, like yours.
The flywheel housing on mine is an sae 5 just like an IXA or IXK engine so it bolted right in.
Yours looks to be setup as a dozer from the mountings on the track frames, do you have the dozer?
It appears I am rambling again, again nice machine.
Scott R.
Thanks Scott, yes I do have the dozer blade but have put it on the back burner for now. I recently found out where the hyd pump was mounted. I will have to purchase a new cylinder and hyd control for the blade. I have the cylinder mount but it's large and very ugly so I want to finish the restoration and then try to fabricate something that's looks better. Sorry for the late reply but I have been busy trying to find parts and other projects.
Bryon