Mild Farmall H help

[Jamie75]

I have a Farmall h and want to build it up for pulling, plowing, and other light work. So I need it to be reliable. I was thinking 35 to 45 hp. I figured I would get cam reground to stock or is there a better option? I thinking 3 7/16 domed top pistons and a stroked crank, add 1”. I don’t want to go over 2000 rpm and would like to run stock carburetor. I don’t know what head I have yet, but plan on using a gas head. Any advice would be helpful.

 

[LarryM]

Your best option is to find a 350 (C-175) engine. I believe the block is bored bigger than a C-169 as in the 300 so therefore you can get a big aftermarket piston in it without boring it out. Someone else can verify or deny that. It is pretty tough to get the horsepower you need to go tractor pulling with a stock H Block without boring and stroking. Especially if you are going to use it on the farm. You will be limited to how light you can get it and still keep it useable.

 

[H-66]

If you"re looking for 35 to 45 horse you don"t need to add stroke. My H would turn 36 all day with just the M&W stepped head pistons and no other improvements. Polish and match port the head, pull the sleeves out and get a domed piston that will fit the bore, then get a manifold that will take the 350 carb and I think you"ll be happy.
Jim

 

[Anonymous-0]

I have a complete 350 engine for sale.Email if interested.

 

[Andrew Z]

The C175 and C169 are the 'same' block for the most part. The C169 has thicker sleeves from factory; you can instal the C175 pistons and sleeves in a C169 block. However there is no overbore for the C175. Obviously both can be bored more, but they share the same specs as concerning the block. The C175 has a beter head and cam, and manifold set up.

Andrew

 

[CoopertownBob]

The H is a great tractor to pull with, especially in the lighter classes, as it can be stripped down to pull in 3500 easily and with a little imagination and investigation, 3000 is doable as well, but probably not if you also want to work it as a farm tractor too.

The pistons you say are perfect to start with. Forget stroking it, you don't need it and the amount of money it will cost is far better spent on head work and the ultimate secret weapon for the stock class pulling H Farmall; a low-low gear set for the transmission. This will lower your first gear ratio from 105:1 down to about 160:1, and allow you to keep going when the faster geared competition are running out of power.

Try getting a head from a Farmall 350, 300 or Super H if at all possible, along with the manifold from a 350 as well. When you take your head in to have the guy work it over, be sure to bring the manifold along too.

Replace the advance springs in the distributor with the lightest ones you can find, and replace the limit spring in the governor with the stoutest one you can find.

There are many more tricks for the model H, so just search this site for them. There have been many posts about it.

 

[Jamie75]

I would like to stick with stock block. I also want to run sleeves that is why I'm looking at strokeing it. If I did add stroke that would increase torque correct?

 

[CoopertownBob]

The simple answer is: maybe. There are many more things you would need to change to go along with the longer stroke to get the most out of it and make it worth the cost. Not the least of which will be a cam change (custom grind) and head work just to fill the extra room in the cylinders.

My advice is to just get the most out of the stock bottom end that can be had, then if you still think you need more, you can always stroke it later.