^63 Ford 4000 SOS Feathering Spring

[58 Impala]

Working on 1963 Ford 4000 SOS, Trying to locate a return spring for the feathering linkage. Any ideas?

 

[Sean in PA]

Are you looking for some external return spring for the feathering pedal? I'm pretty sure that that it never had one. The springs are internal to the control valve that the pedal controls. If you're looking for those internal springs, the part numbers are 313692 and 312255. I'm pretty sure that there are two of each and they are no longer available. You'll probably have better luck looking for the entire control valve assembly from a salvage yard. The lower valve housing part number is C0NN7C152A, and tractor-part.com shows that several salvage yards have them in stock. They usually sell them with all of the guts, but they use the part number for the housing. when they list them. Contact the individual salvage yards directly to make sure they still have one and ask what is included to be sure.

Link to search for C0NN7C152A on tractor-part.com

 

[58 Impala]

Thank you for the tip. The internal spring was missing when I got the tractor. Previous owner had external spring wired together with a piece of barb wire. I assume the gasket for the cover is different from all the others as well.

 

[pomester]

Working on 1963 Ford 4000 SOS, Trying to locate a return spring for the feathering linkage. Any ideas?

I think you are looking for 313796 'spring, control feathering pedal return'. No longer serviced apparently. Difficult to search for as there are several unrelated items identified with that number. There's an old thread here which talks about using a hardware store spring in a pinch and how it worked for some years. https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/threads/inching-pedal-spring.1168491/

The top cover gasket is unique, although some modify the 5 speed gasket which is close. I make gaskets to fit from gasket material acquired at NAPA, not a difficult job. Last I checked you can get a gasket from CNH, but at a rather expensive price.

Edit to add: If you don't have the top cover off yet, get a manual and follow the instructions for removal and install. It's not difficult but neither is it simple or intuitive. You can kluge together something for the spring, but if you mess up the control cables you are in for a bad experience.

5 speed cover gasket, close, but not good enough IMO.

New gasket is easily fabricated...

 

[Tony Jacobs]

I think you are looking for 313796 'spring, control feathering pedal return'. No longer serviced apparently. Difficult to search for as there are several unrelated items identified with that number. There's an old thread here which talks about using a hardware store spring in a pinch and how it worked for some years. https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/threads/inching-pedal-spring.1168491/

The top cover gasket is unique, although some modify the 5 speed gasket which is close. I make gaskets to fit from gasket material acquired at NAPA, not a difficult job. Last I checked you can get a gasket from CNH, but at a rather expensive price.

Edit to add: If you don't have the top cover off yet, get a manual and follow the instructions for removal and install. It's not difficult but neither is it simple or intuitive. You can kluge together something for the spring, but if you mess up the control cables you are in for a bad experience.

5 speed cover gasket, close, but not good enough IMO.
View attachment 157507

New gasket is easily fabricated...
View attachment 157508

I have to disagree with you but the cover gasket is not unique . It is the same as the 5 speed . In 40 years of building SOS transmissions I have always used 5 speed cover gaskets with no modifications . I will bet 99% that the gasket in your picture is some piece of crap from china or India that of course doesn’t fit anything properly to begin with . Now I have had problems even with New Hollands USA made gaskets not being made correctly made for the SOS but that is another problem in itself , poor quality control and nobody gives a crap . So making a good quality gasket out of USA made gasket material is a fine alternative .

 

[pomester]

I have to disagree with you but the cover gasket is not unique . It is the same as the 5 speed . In 40 years of building SOS transmissions I have always used 5 speed cover gaskets with no modifications . I will bet 99% that the gasket in your picture is some piece of crap from china or India that of course doesn’t fit anything properly to begin with . Now I have had problems even with New Hollands USA made gaskets not being made correctly made for the SOS but that is another problem in itself , poor quality control and nobody gives a crap . So making a good quality gasket out of USA made gasket material is a fine alternative .

I will not dispute your experience, but I will note that the 5 speed gasket has a different ID number in the parts book. NDA 7223-A. The SOS number is close, CONN 7223-B and 7223-C. B is metal and C is fiber (or vice-versa). Dunno. Do know that for the price CNH wants for a single gasket, I could make a stack from scratch.

 

[Tony Jacobs]

I will not dispute your experience, but I will note that the 5 speed gasket has a different ID number in the parts book. NDA 7223-A. The SOS number is close, CONN 7223-B and 7223-C. B is metal and C is fiber (or vice-versa). Dunno. Do know that for the price CNH wants for a single gasket, I could make a stack from scratch.

Yes you absolutely correct CNH prices are stupidly expensive . The original SOS cover gasket is a raised rib metal gasket versus the paper/fiber gasket of the 5 speed cover . That’s why I used the 5 speed gasket from CNH before the ridiculous prices came into play . When all of Tisco’s gaskets were USA made I was using them also . Now all of the SOS gaskets I use are made from a gasket co here in the states and they line up perfectly unlike some of CNH gaskets that I was having trouble with .

 

[58 Impala]

I think you are looking for 313796 'spring, control feathering pedal return'. No longer serviced apparently. Difficult to search for as there are several unrelated items identified with that number. There's an old thread here which talks about using a hardware store spring in a pinch and how it worked for some years. https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/threads/inching-pedal-spring.1168491/

The top cover gasket is unique, although some modify the 5 speed gasket which is close. I make gaskets to fit from gasket material acquired at NAPA, not a difficult job. Last I checked you can get a gasket from CNH, but at a rather expensive price.

Edit to add: If you don't have the top cover off yet, get a manual and follow the instructions for removal and install. It's not difficult but neither is it simple or intuitive. You can kluge together something for the spring, but if you mess up the control cables you are in for a bad experience.

5 speed cover gasket, close, but not good enough IMO.
View attachment 157507

New gasket is easily fabricated...
View attachment 157508

How much oil should be in the feathering linkage area?

 

[Tony Jacobs]

How much oil should be in the feathering linkage area?

The oil level in the transmission itself is the only oil in the area of the feathering linkage . At the Ford recommended fill level ANY SOS will Cavitate (pick up air ) because the suction tube is no longer immersed in the oil . This happens when on steep side slopes like mowing or logging . I Always over fill them by One Gallon through the cover . On Ford 5000’s this is very important because that is how the upper shafts and bearings are lubricated just by the splash of the rotating shafts and gears in the oil . Everything else it just helps out with both problems . Ford kept the oil level low because gears and shafts churning in the oil robs Horsepower and the Tractor Horsepower wars were just as bad as the Musclecar Horsepower wars now it’s about longevity and saving parts from destruction and wear !

 

[58 Impala]

The oil level in the transmission itself is the only oil in the area of the feathering linkage . At the Ford recommended fill level ANY SOS will Cavitate (pick up air ) because the suction tube is no longer immersed in the oil . This happens when on steep side slopes like mowing or logging . I Always over fill them by One Gallon through the cover . On Ford 5000’s this is very important because that is how the upper shafts and bearings are lubricated just by the splash of the rotating shafts and gears in the oil . Everything else it just helps out with both problems . Ford kept the oil level low because gears and shafts churning in the oil robs Horsepower and the Tractor Horsepower wars were just as bad as the Musclecar Horsepower wars now it’s about longevity and saving parts from destruction and wear !

Tony, Thanks for your information, it is very appreciated. Can you tell me if the spring on the PTO relief valve is the same as the others? I need to locate the PTO spring as well, it's missing.

 

[Tony Jacobs]

Tony, Thanks for your information, it is very appreciated. Can you tell me if the spring on the PTO relief valve is the same as the others? I need to locate the PTO spring as well, it's missing.

Do you have access to another control valve that is known to be good ? Rather than keep replacing parts that you don know if they are good or not . If you had a good valve and just changed it you would be able to see if the problem is the valve or not . I have had control valves that have had water in them and have frozen but you can’t see it externally and you end with two functions trying to work at the same time . You can change relief valves , spools and still be at the same dead end .