Farmall Super H Pulling

[phil51]

I just purchased a 1953 Farmall Super H which is all stock. I am planning on pulling it next summer and am just curious as to which modifications I should make to help make the tractor more competitive. All suggestions would be appreciated.
-Phil

 

[Janicholson]

Some suggestions depend on the type of pulling in which you wish to participate. Modest improvement can be gained by increasing the compression with thin sleeves and popup pistons. A 350 cam can add power. Higher octane fuel and earlier timing will only be useful if the head is milled to increase compression to more than 8:1 in conjunction with the pistons. With money, the engine can be stroked, the sleeves removed and even bigger pistons used in the bare block. Custom camshafts, and using an M carburetor and bigger valves with modified rocker ratios can be used. Twisting the engine to 2500rpm is sure to add hp as well as shorten life. Using special rear tires with tapered (cut) lugs will ad traction. Getting it down in weight to allow it to operate in a lighter wt. class is a bit difficult but with removal of all extra stuff like cast wheels, belt pulley, PTO, and other incremental components will be very competitive. Just some ideas much depends on your intentions to spend money, do "race" maintenance, and be competitive with those that spend even more. Jim

 

[phil51]

Thanks for the advice Jim. I'm planning to start out pulling a dead weight sled at or around the 4500lb weight class.

 

[phil51]

I am also considering getting a high performance manifold. Any thoughts on whether or not it would be beneficial?

 

[kub6040]

The manifold can help a race engine , stock I think an lp
manifold is good and cheap. Modifying the engine on a
budget is hard to do .

 

[Wayne in MN]

Lots more advice in the pulling forum located further down the Forum section.

 

[IA Roy]

First check the rules of the organization or organizations that put on the pulls. See what is not allowed. Hopefully you will abide by the rules. Not everyone does that. It would be heartbreaking to go to the pull and not be allowed to compete because you got caught (embarrassing), or didn't know that what you did to enhance the machine was not allowed.

 

[Oregon Tractor Jack]

There are two things you can do to improve the tractor with out any engine mods. Weight brackets and a proper pulling hitch. If you are allowed suitcase weights you need to add a front bracket and a rear one to get the proper balance on the tractor. If you lift your front wheels right from the start, you have too much weight in the rear and need to shift some to the front. The hitch can be just as important. The closer it is to the rear axles the more you will be "lifting" the sled instead of just pulling it. The height of the hitch is just as important. You need to check out the hitch specs for the type of pulling you are doing. The modification just mentioned make a huge difference when pulling a progressive sled. Start with small steps before jumping head long into the money pit of engine modifications.

 

[David G]

With custom rods and pistons, I would believe it could do 2500 RPM all day.

 

[Janicholson]

Farmalls A B C H M & supers through the 4 cylinder 450 (except diesel) had 3 main bearings, Mot real tough in the lower end when cranking high rpm and 3X horse power. Jim

 

[David G]

Yes, that is a lot of stress on 3 bearings, I would think there is a harmonic in there somewhere.

 

[farmallpuller2014]

I was thinking of putting the 706 D188 pistons in the super H block without the sleeves.I was just wondering if they will work with the original rods or what would have to been to them in order to make them work.It is my understanding the 3 11/16 pistons will fit in block without sleeves and without boring the block any (is this right) any Ideas or advice will be appreciated.