What do I have? 1938 Allis B
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=163955
Printed Date: 25 Aug 2025 at 6:33pm
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Topic: What do I have? 1938 Allis B
Posted By: Big How
Subject: What do I have? 1938 Allis B
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2019 at 3:33pm
| I have a 1938 B that was on our farm when we inherited it back in the early 1970s. The tractor has a switch box and ammeter and a generator. There is no mounting pad(?) for a starter and no sign that it ever had lights or any other electric accessories and nowhere to install a battery. I am interested in getting it going again I just don't understand why it would have this configuration of components. I'm new to the restoration thing and figured I might as well start with what I already have. Thanks for any info. |
Replies:
Posted By: HoughMade
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2019 at 4:22pm
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Great tractor to work on. Seems like a few pieces may have been added or 2 tractors combined over the years. The early Bs (38 is the first full production year) did not have any electrical system- no generator, magnetos for ignition, crank start, no lights. I couple of years later, a battery starter and lights became options and, of course, needed a generator (6v positive ground). If it had electric start at one time, it would have a big hole in the bellhousing on the right side of the torque tube. The battery box would have been immediately in front of the operator and the "toolbox" sheet metal would not extend to the torque tube in the center, but be "cut off" for a battery box. If it never had a battery box, the sheetmetal of the toolbox would come all the way down to meet the center top of the torque tube. Later B with electrics, except with magneto (mine):  Early B with no electrics (not mine):  How do you know it is a '38? What is the serial number? (look by the shifter).
------------- 1951 B |
Posted By: Big How
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2019 at 4:40pm
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The machine has no provision for a starter and the sheet metal is not cut out for battery mounting. No lights or place for them. This tractor was owned by a local county government at one time. It has a belly mounted sickle bar mower attached. I think it was used for mowing along the roads. It ran when it was parked 15 years ago or so. Still turns over freely. I am planning to begin by rebuilding the carb and mag. The oil is still at the full mark on the dipstick and does not appear contaminated. I'm an aircraft mechanic by trade so the Marvel carb and FB magneto are things I have some familiarity with. It also has a traditional tractor type seat instead of the bench type that I see on most Bs. |
Posted By: Big How
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2019 at 4:42pm
| I took the S/N number to a local place that deals with old tractor parts. They told me it was a 1938 but I suppose they could be wrong. I don't think they are A/C experts. |
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2019 at 4:56pm
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the switch box might have been added as a kill switch for the mag... It might have ONE wire running to it ? If there are SEVERAL wires, then they might have had lights at one time.... but who knows where the put the battery.......... you don't need a starter or generator to have a battery... just remote charge once a week. ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: Big How
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2019 at 5:06pm
I have a couple pictures if that helps. It originally had the in cowl type of muffler. 
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Posted By: Big How
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2019 at 5:09pm
There's no kill switch wire to the mag. It has the mag mounted metal tab to kill it. I remember being terrified of shutting it down when I was a little kid! 
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Posted By: Gerald J.
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2019 at 5:20pm
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The shop manual should help with the details: http://geraldj.networkiowa.com/Trees/Allis-Chalmers-G-B-C-CA-Service.pdf" rel="nofollow - http://geraldj.networkiowa.com/Trees/Allis-Chalmers-G-B-C-CA-Service.pdf Gerald J. |
Posted By: Alberta Phil
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2019 at 5:25pm
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Seat looks to be from a WC or WF. Its bolted to a bracket that is installed on the axle casing. Held on by 'U' bolts?? Looks to be a good project to restore. Oh, and welcome to the forum!! Lots of help and info available on here. I have an early '39 'B' with an aftermarket Monroe seat.
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Posted By: Big How
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2019 at 5:32pm
| I have the original operator's manual with parts book but it is not very clear about the details I am trying to figure out. One detail I missed is that the book has a 1939 date in the corner and states "serial numbers 101 and up" on it so it's probably a '39. |
Posted By: Big How
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2019 at 5:35pm
| I will have to get out there and see how the seat is mounted. I know its on a type of leaf spring that's held to the rear axle housing(?) with a big old nut. |
Posted By: mdm1
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2019 at 6:34pm
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Hey welcome to a great forum. Go to tractordata.com and look up your serial number. I have a 39 B. Sure looks like a late 30's. A few things could have been added in it's 80 yr life. Fun little tractors. Oh where in WI are you? ------------- Everything is impossible until someone does it! WD45-trip loader 1947 c w/woods belly mower, 1939 B, #3 sickle mower 1944 B, 2 1948 G's. Misc other equipment that my wife calls JUNK! |
Posted By: TramwayGuy
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2019 at 7:12pm
| The reason the book says ‘serial 101 and up’ is because all of the earlier ‘B’s had a completely different engine, and a lot of differences. They were kind of pre-production models. |
Posted By: Dick L
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2019 at 7:56pm
| Odd it would have generator! My guess would be it is not the original engine and the replacement engine had the generator already mounted when purchased. The early B's only had a Zenith carburetor also. |
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2019 at 8:31pm
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If there are no wires on the generator, then I would go with DICKS idea of a motor replacement, and the generator is just a belt tightener. ............. and all the Bs came with a bench seat, so that has been changed also. ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: Big How
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2019 at 8:40pm
| I would say the generator is being used as a belt tensioner. I guess I never thought about someone replacing the engine on a tractor that doesn't have a frame as opposed to just overhauling the engine. I guess you could wear it out beyond limits or freeze it up and crack the block. I live about midway between Wausau and Green Bay in Wisconsin. My mailing address is Bowler but I'm nowhere near Bowler. I'm in the actual middle of nowhere. |
Posted By: mdm1
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 4:08am
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The engine in my 44 B is from a power unit. I think engine swaps were quite common. ------------- Everything is impossible until someone does it! WD45-trip loader 1947 c w/woods belly mower, 1939 B, #3 sickle mower 1944 B, 2 1948 G's. Misc other equipment that my wife calls JUNK! |
Posted By: Dick L
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 6:52am
If the generator is attached to the block with a bracket that has bosses cast into the block for the bolts to screw into it is not a 1938 block. You can also tell by the cast in numbers in an arch on the magneto side. The last number on the 38 blocks was a 10. Much easier to overhaul one of these engines on an engine stand.  Also a quick way to put a working tractor back to work by switching engines.  
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Big How wrote:Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 7:43am
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Big How, Welcome! Spent lots of hours on a B! Good AC tractor! Looking forward to your project! Your skills will be a great asset for this project. Regards, Chris
------------- D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet. |
Posted By: Big How
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2019 at 7:14am
| Could the seat on my B be off of an IB? I have seen some of these at shows that have a set up similar to mine. Going to the gathering of orange exent in Union Grove WI in a couple weeks. I will try to figure out more while I'm there. |
Posted By: Dick L
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2019 at 8:12am
| I suppose it could be but Monroe made an after market pan seat. I have bought some that have other makes of pan sears that were cobbled up that looked like something that could have been bought. |
Posted By: Alberta Phil
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2019 at 10:37am
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The seat could be from and IB, but the base bracket it's mounted on is a little different than the ones on an IB. Same mounting, but different shape. |
Posted By: Big How
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2019 at 11:00am
| The tractor was originally owned by some county government entity so it may have been ordered like that? Just an idea. I know my grandpa didnt change it or the seat would have been held on with a piece of fence post and a bunch of wire! |
Posted By: Dan Hauter
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2019 at 9:06pm
| Welcome, Big How. The previous owner of my B installed a bass boat seat and steering wheel so he could pretend he was fishing while mowing grass. Good luck with your restoration. B's are fun little tractors. Dan. |
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2019 at 9:43pm
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The tractor was originally owned by some county government entity so it may have been ordered like that? The tractor came from the FACTORY with a bench seat......... but the DEALER could have installed a Monroe or something they had off a WD tractor, etc. ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |