Superspeed Super M Tractor Still Running Four Decades Later
Keith Peterson of Moorland, Iowa, installed a 302 engine and C-4 transmission from a 1974 Ford Maverick into his father’s International “Super M” tractor. He wanted to make the older tractor move faster for spraying and when traveling from field to field. When Peterson spoke with us about the project in 1986 (Vol. 10, No. 1), he reported that the modified tractor had a top speed of 50 mph.
In addition to the new engine and transmission, he modified the tractor by lengthening the frame two feet and moving the hood and seat forward. He replaced the tractor’s narrow front end with a wide front he fashioned from the back axle of a Case 1660 combine. He also equipped the machine with a tilting and telescoping steering wheel. At the time, Peterson took on the remodel as an FFA project and earned a blue ribbon at the Iowa State Fair in the category of large farm project.
Almost 4 decades later, weather and time had taken its toll on the tractor. “The paint was badly faded, and rain had locked the engine up; the number 8 cylinder was badly rusted and stuck,” says Chuck Peterson, Keith’s brother. “I decided to bring this tractor back from the dead for Dad, who turned 87 in February.”
Restoring the Super M for a second time became a family project. Says Chuck, “I tried to soak the rust with penetrating oil but couldn’t get the piston to move. Keith and I decided to try to cool the piston down using liquid propane (LP gas), turning a grill tank upside down, and dribbling the liquid into the number 8 spark plug hole. My estimation is the extremely cold propane (around -44 F) shrank the piston at least 50/1000 of an inch, allowing me to turn the engine over enough to clean up the rusty cylinder after I removed the head.”
Keith told FARM SHOW in 1986 that he still needed to modify the brakes, as they weren’t designed to stop a fast-moving machine, meaning that he had to use the engine to slow down the tractor. “No real progress has been made there,” reports Chuck today. “The top speed I’ve been brave enough to reach is 40 mph (according to my GPS on my phone), although 50 mph is possible.”
Despite its quirks, Chuck knows his father approves of the restoration work on what was originally his tractor. “Once I got it running, he gave it to me.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Chuck Peterson (gamble711@hotmail.com).
Click here to download page story appeared in.
Click here to read entire issue
Superspeed Super M Tractor Still Running Four Decades Later TRACTORS Antiques Keith Peterson of Moorland Iowa installed a 302 engine and C-4 transmission from a 1974 Ford Maverick into his father’s International “Super M” tractor He wanted to make the older tractor move faster for spraying and when traveling from field to field When Peterson spoke with us about the project in 1986 Vol 10 No 1 he reported that the modified tractor had a top speed of 50 mph In addition to the new engine and transmission he modified the tractor by lengthening the frame two feet and moving the hood and seat forward He replaced the tractor’s narrow front end with a wide front he fashioned from the back axle of a Case 1660 combine He also equipped the machine with a tilting and telescoping steering wheel At the time Peterson took on the remodel as an FFA project and earned a blue ribbon at the Iowa State Fair in the category of large farm project Almost 4 decades later weather and time had taken its toll on the tractor “The paint was badly faded and rain had locked the engine up; the number 8 cylinder was badly rusted and stuck ” says Chuck Peterson Keith’s brother “I decided to bring this tractor back from the dead for Dad who turned 87 in February ” Restoring the Super M for a second time became a family project Says Chuck “I tried to soak the rust with penetrating oil but couldn’t get the piston to move Keith and I decided to try to cool the piston down using liquid propane LP gas turning a grill tank upside down and dribbling the liquid into the number 8 spark plug hole My estimation is the extremely cold propane around -44 F shrank the piston at least 50/1000 of an inch allowing me to turn the engine over enough to clean up the rusty cylinder after I removed the head ” Keith told FARM SHOW in 1986 that he still needed to modify the brakes as they weren’t designed to stop a fast-moving machine meaning that he had to use the engine to slow down the tractor “No real progress has been made there ” reports Chuck today “The top speed I’ve been brave enough to reach is 40 mph according to my GPS on my phone although 50 mph is possible ” Despite its quirks Chuck knows his father approves of the restoration work on what was originally his tractor “Once I got it running he gave it to me ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Chuck Peterson gamble711@hotmail com
To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click
here to register with your account number.
