650 L.P.

[IH Blood 1206]

So been busy around here. Just finished harvest and tillage work last week.  Thankful to have had a safe and successful fall harvest season given our dry weather here in NW Ohio this year.

Have the coolant drained at the moment. Had to address some plumbing leaks and I hope to have those fixed. Have had some trouble getting the water jacket covers to seal up. I have flattened the bolt holes on the covers because they were dimpled in and weren't allowing a good seal. I have since destroyed the gaskets I had for them. Would cork be OK for these?

My son's football team is still playing in the state playoffs so we have been busy following them on their journey also.

Also, I messed around with an AI app and asked it some questions about 650 LP tractors. It stated that the production numbers were approximately 120-140 LP versions produced and 900 gas produced. I don't find that very accurate, just like this picture of what a 650 LP looks like according to ChatGPT 😆.

[IH Blood 1206]

So it has been a while since the last update. Been busy with things and the 650 was put on hold some. 

Had some trouble with the starter pulling down on the ignition system while trying to start it. Decided to put electronic ignition on the tractor and that solved the weak spark problem. Had to get a new coil strap and modify wiring and am very happy with that. 

After running the tractor a little and getting it up to temp, the water pump waved "hello" at me and started dribbling out the front packing nut. When I put new bearings in the pump I didn't change the packing.  Well, it decided to leak. I thought I could maybe tighten the nut but I took it out first and noticed that the packing rope was coming apart in little dried up chunks when I picked at it. So new packing is getting installed. Some disassembly required.

Also tweaking the governor and throttle linkage to our liking has been a challenge. 

Also, started helping my son with his 460 utility. Had to make some rim repairs and clean off his center sections and brackets so we can get the tractor on all four wheels to run it around some.  Found out his tractor has two different rear hubs on it. One newer style and an old style that has had a brazed repair on the seal surface. Needless to say we are chasing down another hub. 

[Mackb61st]

Glad to see you back on the 650LP! You guys have done a fabulous restoration on the old girl. Hope that you can post a video of the tractor running once you’re finished with repairs.  Thanks for taking us along for the ride during this project!    

[IH Blood 1206]

I'd love to have a 650 update, but we had some other things come up lately.   Needed to move some things in the shop and while shopping for tires for his 460 Utility LP, my son noticed he needed some things. He found a 504 Utility LP that had been partially parted out but had a lot of what he needed. The 504 and 460 share many parts in the rear ends.  We borrowed the old junk 504 tires to move the 460 over to where we could work on it more efficiently. 

I know that we said we would finish the 650 first but sometimes you have to pounce when a deal comes up. 

We found that his 460 had some "repairs" in the past. One rear hub had been replaced at some point. So upon further inspection, we found that the axle on that side was worn considerably more than the other. And there was nothing left of the o-ring seal on the axle. So we checked bearings and found some that were questionable. 

This 504 came up and we cross-referenced everything and most of the internals are all the same, minus some housing and gasket changes.  Not sure on the gears, but stuff we need so far checks out. 

The 460 top cover has been a struggle. At some point in its life, 6 of the top cover bolts were broken off.  Then someone attempted to drill and tap those holes to bolt a seat and battery box on.  The top cover then rusted to the remaining studs that were left in the bores. We drilled them out down to just above the rear case and have let soak with penetrating oil. Will try to lift it off again after a few days. 

Ah the things that should take an hour that turn into taking days.

I hate to rob the parts from a rare 504 but the entire engine and front end were gone when we found it. All we were able to get was sheetmetal which might be useful to someone down the road. 

[IH Blood 1206]

Funny where things take you. So we have been sticking with the 460 instead of the 650.  Swapped a bunch of parts from the 504 into the 460 rear and reassembled. Very happy with the rear end and axles now.

Went through brakes and everything and put everything back together.  Planetary PTO was next. I've never seen bearings this bad. They were all trashed so we rebuilt the PTO completely. Got it back in and took the tractor for a drive. Everything felt and sounded good. Some PTO noise from the planetary when in the off position but is silent when engaged. 

Getting ready to pull it back in the shed and there it was, a leak from the center section weep hole. All of our seals and work on the back looked good, but we didn't get into the center. Today we did and have a couple seals to replace.  It never ends.

 

[VacDaddyt]

On 4/3/2026 at 10:33 PM, IH Blood 1206 said:

Funny where things take you. So we have been sticking with the 460 instead of the 650.  Swapped a bunch of parts from the 504 into the 460 rear and reassembled. Very happy with the rear end and axles now.

Went through brakes and everything and put everything back together.  Planetary PTO was next. I've never seen bearings this bad. They were all trashed so we rebuilt the PTO completely. Got it back in and took the tractor for a drive. Everything felt and sounded good. Some PTO noise from the planetary when in the off position but is silent when engaged. 

Getting ready to pull it back in the shed and there it was, a leak from the center section weep hole. All of our seals and work on the back looked good, but we didn't get into the center. Today we did and have a couple seals to replace.  It never ends.

 

Did you have the rear axle hubs off? I have a 300U to do and it seems like a big process if they are stuck and would like advice.

[IH Blood 1206]

5 hours ago, VacDaddyt said:

Did you have the rear axle hubs off? I have a 300U to do and it seems like a big process if they are stuck and would like advice.

The rear hubs weren't too bad. We had to use a puller on one. The other one slid right off. One of our hubs was replaced at one time and one axle was pretty worn.

[bitty]

8 hours ago, IH Blood 1206 said:

The rear hubs weren't too bad. We had to use a puller on one. The other one slid right off. One of our hubs was replaced at one time and one axle was pretty worn.

I've seen that wear on a 240 utility. I'd almost like to put locktite 515 on the splines before putting the hub on after replacing the bearings and seals . I'd be worried about ever having to remove it after that though 

[CubNamedOscar]

On 8/27/2025 at 11:42 PM, IH Blood 1206 said:

So haven't had much time to work on the 650 lately. Went to Rantoul and had an awesome time out there. Will definitely go back when they feature IH again.

Should be able to paint fenders this week and get them on so we can assemble the rear of the tractor. 

So my son thought we needed another project, so he bought the 460 LP utility at a sale a couple weeks ago. Originally a Texas tractor.  Runs good and moves. Need to replace a tire or two to drive it.  He has already torn into it a little bit but the 650 will get done first we both agreed.  Its hard not to tear into another one when its new to you.  This one is fairly rare. I've heard 1 of 24 and I've heard 1 of 240. Either way you don't see these often. 

Super kool, there is a 240 or 340 LP near me here, I have been considering picking up for cheap. Unless... this is the one? Did you get this from michigan? 

Super progress on the 650. 

[IH Blood 1206]

4 hours ago, CubNamedOscar said:

Super kool, there is a 240 or 340 LP near me here, I have been considering picking up for cheap. Unless... this is the one? Did you get this from michigan? 

Super progress on the 650. 

This 460 came from NW Ohio.

 

The 650 has been fun. Hope to have it out of the barn this summer.

[CubNamedOscar]

3 hours ago, IH Blood 1206 said:

This 460 came from NW Ohio.

 

The 650 has been fun. Hope to have it out of the barn this summer.

Oh nice, Not too many LPs Up here in the Great Lakes! I am looking forward to working on my Cub & DB 885 soon. 

[IH Blood 1206]

Been a while since we had time for the 650 with all of the 460LP utility work.  460 ended up with a new clutch and a few other odds and ends. All back together now and with a valve adjustment, runs and operates very well now.  And the decision on paint looms in our future.   It's my son's tractor and he is undecided at the moment so we will see where it goes. It will definitely be at a show or two in its work clothes this year. 

Got the 650 dialed in with adjustments to the governor, carb, and set the timing.  Runs nice and starts right up.  One of the reasons that we hit a snag on this tractor was the hydraulic pump.  After some trial and error I realized that the current setup was missing the auxiliary M&W hydraulic tank to allow for the appropriate feed of oil to the M&W pump which has inlets on the top instead of the bottom. The stock hydraulic fluid tank sits below the inlet to the pump so I was concerned about starving the pump of oil. So I've decided to install an original style pump on it, and am working on acquiring one. New pumps are $1000 and I'm trying to avoid that much expense.  I think I have a used one tracked down so we will see what kind of shape it is in.  These pumps for the W9, 600, and 650 turn opposite direction from the more readily available pumps on most of the other gas tractors, so getting the right one has taken some time.

Started getting the final prep work done on the hood and grille today.  Contacted FP Smith for a few parts I need to finish.  They have been great to work with, as they have had several little things here and there to help us get this tractor done.

Picked up this 300 Utility a few weeks ago for next to nothing. Less than 2000 hours on it. Straightest sheetmetal I've ever seen on one.  Was sitting for 12-15 years and with a clean fuel supply and a good battery, it didnt take long to have a runner!

[IH Blood 1206]

I've never been so excited to paint something I'll never look at...the back side of the grille.  

460 Utility LP gets new back tires installed tomorrow. 

Things are starting to happen around here. 

The previous owner of my 650 has me working on his M. Its a '47. Steering needed some help. Needs a universal joint and a new bearing on the worm gear shaft. 

Looking at getting my 650 grille emblem re-chromed.  Not sure yet.

[IH Blood 1206]

Another followed me home.  300 Utility with I believe 1900 original hours. Price was right, about equal to one rear tire. Wouldn't go into 4th or 5th gear so I had to perform some surgery. Gears slide nice now so back together it goes.  Had some pretty water contaminated fluid in the back so it was drained, flushed, and cleaned out.

Runs and drives nice.  Has some of the straightest sheetmetal I've seen on a utility.  

 

Looks like it may be a little cooler this week so some 650 metal might get some paint.

[bitty]

If the 9-650 series is the same as the M-450 series the hydraulic pump turns the opposite direction on the diesel ones than it does on gasoline ones do ..

[IH Blood 1206]

On 7/21/2026 at 3:21 AM, bitty said:

If the 9-650 series is the same as the M-450 series the hydraulic pump turns the opposite direction on the diesel ones than it does on gasoline ones do ..

This is the confusing thing. The W-9, 600, and 650 gas engines turned the same way as the diesels because of the gear arrangement under the timing cover.  I found a pump off of a 450 diesel that should work.  

[IH Blood 1206]

This day was a long time coming.

Hood is prepped to fill some weld imperfections and a couple small dents and low spots.  Hood was painted but it needed help. 

Getting closer.

 

[IH Blood 1206]

Water pump impeller changed and new packing installed. The old impeller was pitted bad enough that it wouldn't seal.  Sourced a NOS impeller, in the original box even, along with new bushings for it.

Installed a hydraulic pump I acquired a couple weeks ago.  I put new seals in it and transferred the drive gear over from my M&W pump.  Plumbed up the lines temporarily.

Still fine tuning the sheetmetal and should have it in primer over the next few days. 

And it pulled out of the barn today under its own power. What a good feeling. It's got the typical IH whine in the rear end but its not too bad. Stumbles a little when I give it throttle. I have the regulator and carb settings where they should be according to the book, but it acts like its starving for fuel. Im just running it off of my BBQ grill tank so maybe thats causing it?  Don't know but I'll keep tweaking it. Ran great down the road at idle or about 1/4 throttle. Beyond that it starts talking back. 

It was a great way to end the day!

EDIT:  I've tried to attach some pictures but I keep getting a server error.  Will try next time.

[snoshoe]

Turn the tank over to feed liquid to the regulator to see if that cures the stumbles.

Now I don't know. Does opd prevent that?

[IH Blood 1206]

2 hours ago, snoshoe said:

Turn the tank over to feed liquid to the regulator to see if that cures the stumbles.

Now I don't know. Does opd prevent that?

I wondered if the tank has a safety valve like that. We will try and see what happens. 

[IH Blood 1206]

Of course the site would have picture problems when I'm ready to show off my sheetmetal....

Should be putting the finishing touches on the tractor this coming week.

[IH Blood 1206]

Tractor is pretty much wrapped up. Will post pictures when I can.  

If you are on Facebook, I posted some to the Farmall Restoration and Repairs group.