Rumely 6A Restoration

Starting over, again

By spring 2006 we had the tractor back together and one coat of paint on it. In the fall I sent it to Alan McBay’s garage. Alan set the timing, made adjustments, added water and a belt, and away it went – but a full stream of water flowed out the exhaust pipe. It seemed to run well but there was way too much water running out.

Close examination revealed several hairline cracks in the block. We took the engine back to the machine shop, where they stitched up the cracks and thought it would be good. We took it home and tried it again, but the problem was not solved. We began to realize the whole block had been frozen and cracked inside. No use spending more time and money on that engine. An Internet search yielded a new 6MZA Waukesha engine in Philadelphia.

We took both the new and cracked engines to Hamilton to make one out of two. We thought we were all done buying. Two weeks later the machine shop man called to say the old oil pump wouldn’t fit the new block. Fortunately, our Philadelphia source had an oil pump: Two weeks later we were back in business and installed the engine readily (we were getting good at that by now).

When we got it all fixed up it ran good, but not excellent. However, we took it to two shows in the fall and had some fun with it. Professional sign painter Rollie Guertin did the striping and put decals on. It sure looks good now. To make it run better we installed a new carburetor (also from Philadelphia). It sure runs good now.

It’s been a long process, but because it was Grandpa’s tractor it all seems worthwhile. In February 2010, the Rumely 6A was at the Toronto International Farm Show as part of the antique display there. In June 2010 it was shown at the Historical Shows Association in Paris, Ontario, and in September at the Steam Era 50th anniversary show in Milton, Ontario, where it won the best-restored tractor award.

It’s not the end but the journey that makes the story. FC 

For more information: Sherwood Hume, (905) 878-4878.