Getting started on OC-3 rehab

[Appleattic]

I will be posting to this thread as I move ahead on trying to get my "new" (but much neglected) 1953 OC-3 started and in running condition. It will be a diary of sorts along with info that I pick up along the way.

The OC-3 was missing the magneto, grill, and clutch linkage. I have acquired the first, a Wico XH1113, from a Craig's List ad. Unit is working and pretty clean. I paid $90.00 total, $75.00 for the mag and $15.00 for shipping.

Clutch linkage and air cleaner tubes and hoses came from Zimmerman's and cost, with shipping, $89.00. $28.00 for linkage, $38.00 air cleaner tubes and hoses, and $23.00 shipping.

A carb rebuild kit came from McDonald Carb for $17.99. I bought a few other non-related parts so shipping was free.

Floyd County Museum supplied the parts manual (original!) and a reprint of the Owner's Manual for $67.00, $30.00 for each manual and $7.00 shipping.

A new set of cooper-core spark plug wires with 90-degree ends came in at $23.00 with shipping. I probably could have found these for a bit less but purchased them through my local implement store where I do business from time to time. I do like to shop local when I can.

I have some work ahead of me to install these pars and rebuild the carb, then it will be time to see if the engine will fire. Wish me luck.

[Jim Leap]

Hey Jerry,

Just wanted to let you know I appreciate the information you just shared and am looking forward to future posts. Photos would be great if that is an option. Good luck with the project!

Jim

[Appleattic]

Here is what the OC-3 looked like when I arrived to pick it up at the auction site in Omaha, Nebraska. Ware 3WI loader and blade were part of the lot. Note a few "modifications" to the tractor; 2nd radiator up front and generator moved to a higher location behind the fan blade.

I live in western Colorado and brought the tractor home by loading the blade and bucket in the back of my F-150 and putting the OC-3 on my 4x10 utility trailer which is set up with a 5,000 pound suspension.



Engine is not frozen, a good thing, but the rehab process is going to be long on this one! (This is my first rebuild project.) I have started a photo gallery on my web site; address is http://www.appleattic.net/Galleries/oc3crawler.html

Total cost of the tractor was $587.00 which included internet auction fees and a fee for putting the sale on a charge card. Winning bid was $500.00. The OC-3 is a 1953 model OC3-42-Ind, serial number 3501709.

First tasks:
Change oil and filter. (Fram C252 or equal, 5W-30 oil.)
Install magneto.
Install new spark plug wires and plugs. (Autolite 295 to start. Plug wires are copper core.)
Clean and rebuild carb.
See if I can get the engine to fire.

More later as I move ahead.

[Appleattic]

Well, the mag was not as described. It will not throw a spark and the stop post assembly is missing. I'll send it to Mainely Magnetos and have it repaired. I did try cleaning and re-gapping the points and used the bent paperclip method to check for a spark. (Paper clip inserted in #1, bent to within 1/4 inch of cap bolt, impulse snapped over OK.) Hate it when people are not honest about what they are selling. Should have insisted in seeing pictures at the least, I guess. Live and learn. Biggest bummer is that it Steve at MM said it would take about 7 weeks to get the magneto back. I'll move on to other tasks but really had wanted to see if the engine would fire before I went further.

[Subgates]

Appleattic

Just looked at your website photos. How far did you move that marching on your trailer? It looks like it was a bit over loaded? No?

Subgates

[Appleattic]

How far did you move that marching on your trailer? It looks like it was a bit over loaded? No?

Not as much as you would think. The trailer is made out of a 50's camping trailer and features a 5,000 pound capacity axle and load range D tires (4,300 pound rating.) I figure I was right on the edge with the tires (3,800 pounds for the tractor and another 600 pounds for the loader frame?) but with the bucket and blade and their frames in the back of the F-150 the weight was not entirely on the trailer.

Moved it from Omaha, Nebraska to near Grand Junction, Colorado, about 780 miles. I-80 and I-70 most of the way, I-76 connects the two. Weather was cool and I stayed around 65mph.

I am starting to look for a 7,000 pound capacity dual-axle trailer which would be better suited and could also handle my '48 8N tractor. Already have a brake controller in the F-150 as I pull an RV trailer so just looking for a suitable trailer. Won't have to worry about it until the OC-3 is running which may take a while. Have sent the magneto off to Mainely Magnetos; they received it late last week. Will probably be several weeks until I get it back.

[Appleattic]

I tried jumping the OC-3 from my Ford 8N (6-volt system) and found the starter would not turn over. I puled it off and took it to a local auto electrical shop; the repair quote came in at $100.00. I'll pick up the starter in a few days.

Question: Does anyone have a spec on the spring in the starter drive that returns the gear to its normal disengaged position? The shop said they could take a guess but if I can find out that would help in the repair.

[Subgates]

Appleattic

Read the discussion about magnetos, points, and firing order to get it back to running. Good luck!

[Appleattic]

Starter repair is complete and I have received my magneto back from Mainely Magnetos. Here are photos of the two repaired units:





Starter repair came in at about $104.00. (Starter is a Pertronics unit.) Magneto repair came in at $247.00 (with return shipping) plus my original shipping costs of about $21.00 bringing the total to about $268.00.

I've installed the starter but not the magneto at this time. I hope to install the mag and try spinning the engine over this weekend.

Starter work done by Spinning Electronics (AKA Glenwood Auto Electronics) out of Silt, Colorado.