Farmall H felt washers

[Murray M]

Restoring a 1945 H. There are several felt washers: at the filler for the lift-all pump, at the control rod and at the 3 hydraulic outlets (along with a metal flat washer and spring). What is the purpose of the felt washers? If they are needed, what can you make new ones out of?

 

[MN Scott]

They were used to keep dirt and moisture out of the clutch housing. Most of the felt seals used in IH tractors are still aviable from your CIH dealer.

 

[rustyfarmall]

Those are basically nothing more than a dust seal to keep dirt and dust OUT of the inside of the torque tube. Most of them disintegrated a long time ago and were never replaced, but it probably is a good idea to have them. I'd think you could visit a fabric store and find felt in different thicknesses and maybe even colors?

 

[Sagebrusher]

Murray,

Find an old felt liner from a snowmobile boot or pair of "Pacs." (3/16" or 1/4" thickness work fine the local fabric stores had only thin material) Grey or black color is good but white will "season" quickly on a work tractor.

Make a cutter punch from a short peice of 3/4" (You can use one inch for the filler but it will stretch around the 3/4" hole okay) steel water pipe by grinding or filing a sharp bevel on the inside diameter of one end. I used and old 3/4 x 4 nipple. Lay the felt on the end grain of a chunk of wood and tap your new punch through the material.

Use the steel washer as a template for the O.D. and trim to size with a pair of sharp scissors or x-acto/box knife.

Cheap, easy, no waiting and at three feet they are indescernible from factory issue. As the others have said, some together engineer from long ago at IH-McCormick thought they were needed.
Good luck Don

 

[Murray M]

Thank you all very much. I had not thought about making a punch, but that is a great idea.