New member and owner

Hello I have been putting together a small machine shop to make parts for a 1941 Ford Bren Gun Carrier I am restoring

I have a several drill presses, grinder, Atlas 7B shaper, unimat Lathe and now a Southbend 9" LAthe!

The Brass plate on the Quick Change gear box has the following info:

9" SOUTHBEND
WORKSHOP LATHE
MODEL A

CAT No: 444-V
BED LENGTH: 3 feet
chart No 1


Serial No: 100981

I dont know the date it was made but the last owner was a mechanic who used it for making bushings and prior to that it was used in a school machine shop. It appears to be cleaned and well oiled and in good shape.
I am still getting things set up.
I have a few quick questions:

1) when you use the tumbler gear for fwd and reverse of the bed gear how snug should the gears be?
2) Seems noisy when engaged is that normal (Gears are oiled not greased)
3) is it worth while to get the history card from South Bend?
4) Any idea how old this lathe is?

Thanks and look forward to participating

Ralph

#100981 built in 1940
Link to serial number page on Steve Well's site : http://www.wswells.com/serial_number.html
Serial number card from new SB company : It is my opinion that the $25 spent for a serial card offers very little value .
The info used to be available for free by calling previous owner of the company , and much is available on this site :
Link : http://www.wswells.com/
For adjusting reverse gear , mesh a thick piece of paper , or double a thin piece like a receipt , between the gears and tighten . Should not cut paper when moving by hand .
Catalogs : http://www.wswells.com/catalog_index.html

Oil on the gears, no grease. Grease hangs onto chips and dirt, not so good. Here's a link with the correct lubricants, which will save you an immense amount of time: http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/south-bend-lathes/south-bend-recommended-lubricants-238033/.

If you scout around, you can find a free shipping code for Enco.

Paul