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Introduction & Challenger questions

I am a new member here and would like to introduce myself. My name is Joe Prindle and I reside in Baraboo, WI. I grew up with Massey Harris tractors, the first one I learned to run was a Challenger that has been in the family since new. A couple of pics of it and some scans of literature are to be found here: http://1020titan.com/mh_challenger.htm
I am rounding up parts and information to restore a Challenger I bought when I was in High School, got running, then lost interest and sold it to a fellow named Mike Popp, who some of you probably know. A few years ago Mike brought the tractor to our spring swap meet and I bought it back from him.

I recently picked up all new sheet metal from Mr. Ervin Chew and am hoping that you folks can answer some questions....

Starting at the front of the machine.... Any tips on how to rebuild the water pump? That spherical seal is unlike anything I am familiar with.

How about the fan belt, anyone care to share the dimensions or a part number?

Head and manifold gaskets? Tom Underwood didn't have any. I would like to know if anyone is making them before I go to it. I don't like the gaskets made with the sandwich material, I want copper and asbestos. If I get them made would anyone else want some?

What type of material is used to make the pads that the gas tank sets on?

Oil pressure gage? Anyone got a suitable replacement or know what the range and normal operating pressure should be?

Shifter boot? Is there a replacement available?

What about the steering wheel? Is anyone recovering them or are good repros available?

Any info would be greatly appreciated, got a 10-20 titan and an 8-16 mogul to finish before I start on the Challenger (actually 2 Challengers) but I like to have all the materials rounded up before starting.

Thanks so much,
Joe
Joe Prindle
Baraboo, WI
Nothing says poor workmanship like wrinkles in the duct tape!

RE:Introduction & Challenger questions

Hi Joe Prindle, Best give me a call . I can answer a lot of your Ch Questions. Dennis 319-240-2766

RE:Introduction & Challenger questions

Joe, Nice pictures of the challenger. I new Mike Popp had that tractor for sale for a few years and I saw it at the swap meet a few years ago. I had called Mike about a week later and had intended on buying it, but he informed me that it was sold. After reading the story on the tractor I am very glad to see that it wnt back to the family it came from. My great grandparents also had a challenger, But it was traded in on a 44 in 1953. I cant help you much with your tractor questions, But I put a new shifter boot for a M-H 44 on my challenger and it fit perfectly. Good Luck, Todd

RE:Introduction & Challenger questions

Good luck with your Challenger.  They are great tractors!  Fan belt is a Gates Green Stripe 503.  Wayne Saak 641-521-0215 has some head gaskets.  Google Min-kota for steering wheel restoring.  I made my manifold gaskets out of "header gasket material" that I got from my local auto parts store.

RE:Introduction & Challenger questions

Speaing of Challengers------------- Here is a Very healthy young lad fireing up his Challenger to go out to plow at the Iowa show.
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KurtStartingChallenger.jpg

RE:Introduction & Challenger questions

You must have been really fast as it only takes 2 turns to fire up!  If you have a 1992 Classic Tractor Video you can watch and see if I'm telling the truth.

RE:Introduction & Challenger questions

Todd, I was caught by the similarity in the story of your grandparents Challenger.  My Grandpa had a green Challenger that he traded for a 1951 M-H 44.  The way my Dad told the story, they were baling hay with the Challenger when the dealer delivered the 44 to the farm.  They unhooked the Challenger from the baler, and put the 44 on it.   Even though they had "traded" the Challenger for the 44, the dealer left the Challenger there on the farm.  My Dad then retraded the Challenger on a Farmall H.  Not to worry about that.  Dad got his 1953 M-H 44 a few years later, and when I was around 6 years old, he traded the Farmall H for a Ford Jubilee, which I subsequently took to the fields as a young lad.  I am fortunate to have in my collection that very 44 of my Grandpa's, and that Ford Jubilee, which has never left this farm since my Dad bought it.