R.D. #1, Box 57-C Sullivan, Ohio 44880
After restoring 1940 Case tractor #VC 4416143, my son Jeff and I
want to share what we learned with G.E.M. readers. A letter in the
magazine asking for help got answers from six V series Case owners.
They are: Ken Linnum, Pewaukee, Wisconsin (1941 VC); Donald G.
Webb, Cottam, Ontario (VC); Edwin H. Bredemier, Steinauer, Nebraska
(1941 VC); Louis Miller, Georgetown, Texas (VC); Arthur Crabille,
Lakeland, Florida (1942 VO) and Bill Neumann, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
who sent a photograph of the 1940 VC he has restored to mint
condition. Thank you all who answered my call for help, including
Roy D. Sonne born, agricultural customer relations, J. I. Case
Company and Brent Behner, LaGrange Tractor Sales.
The V series Case tractor was built in 1940 and 1941 (a few in
1942) in the following models: V four wheel general purpose; VI
four wheel industrial; VO four wheel orchard; and V Crow crop with
single wheel or twin wheels in front. The engine is a four cylinder
Continental (F124) with a 3′ bore and
43/8 stroke. The transmission is four speed,
with fourth for road work. On V-VI-VO, the rear tires are 8 x 24,
and on the VC 8 x 32 with 10 x 28 optional. Belt pulley, power take
off, hydraulic lift, steel front and rear wheels, adjustable wide
front axle (VC only), low cost fuel kit, starter and lighting
package were some of the available options. Numerous special
options were available for the VI industrial tractor.
Many production changes were made on the V series tractors
during the short two year run, which leads me to believe the V
series was a pilot model for the more popular VA series which
started production in 1942. Some of the changes are: differential
drive gear ratio; differential case; belt pulley (early cast iron,
late pressed steel); belt pulley drive, constant mesh to gear throw
out type; carburetor, (early TSX 42, late TSX 43); governor linkage
had two changes; brakes, (early had band type, late had disc);
steering gear ratio change; front pedestal (VC only); seat
assembly; transmission gear shift cover.
Our VC Case was found in a weed bed where it had been for many
years. I had repaired and operated farm tractors for many years,
but I’d never seen a VC Case before. After a number of visits
and lots of haggling with the owner, we at last owned a very rough
one.
Now for the restoration, which all old iron people enjoy. The
first job was to free up the engine which was stuck. After pulling
the cylinder head, an inspection showed rusted cylinders, but a few
days of soaking with penetrating oil freed up the engine. The
previous owner had a fruit jar over the exhaust pipe, which saved
the engine from permanent damage. While the head was off, the
valves were lapped in with grinding compound, and after assembly
the engine had good compression.
The carburetor was bad, so we found one on a 9N Ford tractor,
but had to use the throttle shaft from the Case carburetor so
governor linkage would attach. Next the Edison-Splitdorf magneto
had a bad coil and we were unable to find one, so we used a
Fairbanks-Morse magneto on a Lincoln portable arc welder which had
a Continental engine. The impulse lag on magnetos used on V series
tractors must be fifteen degrees, while most farm tractors require
thirty to thirty-five degrees lag.
The brakes did not work, so the axle housings were pulled to
find the problem. After removing many old mouse nests, the axle
seals were found to be leaking grease on the brake linings. During
the cleanup, a crack was found that went all the way around the
transmission-differential housing. A welder said it would be best
to replace the casting, as welding would distort it too much. After
quite a search, a used casting was located in a tractor salvage
yard in Willard, Ohio. This casting along with axle seals and brake
lining was replaced. Possibly water accumulated in the
transmission-differential casting and froze causing the crack.
The clutch was not engaging properly, so the torque tube was
pulled. A broken clutch disc was found, also bad clutch pressure
plate, clutch shaft and clutch shaft bearings. These parts were
found after much searching. (The above clutch parts from a VA
series Case will fit.) A piece of wire had been used for a throttle
because all the governor and throttle linkage was missing. Parts
were found on a V Case with later production linkage, and with some
remodeling, were adapted to our tractor.
Sometime in the past the front pedestal had been sheared off and
brazed back together. A misalignment in the brazing job caused the
front wheels to set crooked. A different pedestal was found for
replacement. On early models a flat steel washer was used in the
pedestal for the spindle assembly to pivot on, but after #4520565 a
roller bearing was used. This made the steering much easier.
The steering wheel was badly cracked with pieces of hard rubber
missing. After cleaning all the rust off the inner steel ring, Bon
do (auto body hole filler) was put in the cracks and places where
the hard rubber was missing. We used a file and sandpaper to
reshape the steering wheel, and a coat of black lacquer made it
look as good as new.
A lot of work was required to prepare the tractor for paint. At
some time in the past the wheels and rims had been painted with
black roof tar, so it was a big job to remove them. After many days
of cleaning, sanding, hammering out dents and scraping off many
layers of red, yellow, green, silver and orange paint, the tractor
was primed and painted Flambeau Red. Decals added the final touch
to the restoration. (Decals for VA series tractors can be modified
to use on the V series.)
During September 1983, the VC made its first showing at the
LaGrange Engine Club show at LaGrange, Ohio. The VC drew a lot of
attention because most people had never seen one before. Our VC has
11 x 28 rear tires and is used to skid logs and haul firewood. It
also has the dependable arm strong starter.
