This spring, when I went to pick it up, I found that it had been sitting outside, and by the looks of it, probably all last winter. When I got it home, I noticed that the oil was over full, and the anti-freeze was low. That's not a good combination.
Today, the weather was nice and the garage was warm, so I thought I'd take a few minutes to look at the tractor. The first thing I did was remove the spark plugs. 3 of them looked normal, 1 was rusty. I put the hand crank on and tried to give the engine a turn. I couldn't budge it. The engine wouldn't turn over. I got out my little Mityvac and hooked up a long plastic tube and the 4 oz. brake bleeding catch can. I put the tube into the #2 cylinder, the one with the rusty spark plug, and pumped. I pumped out 8 oz. of rusty brown water. Not good!
The antique tractor forums are full of suggestions on how to free it up, but most people agree that you have to pull the head to see how bad it is! I really didn't want to tear into it. It was a nice running tractor before this happened. I hadn't had it running in years, but I always kept it inside. It sat outside with no cap on the exhaust and water probably filled the cylinder through an open exhaust valve.
I guess I have to decide what I want to do with it... sell it as an un-running tractor, or tear into it and maybe have to buy an engine rebuild kit? The engine is designed with removable/replaceable cylinder sleeves. They just press out, but it involves a complete tear down. It's possible that the head my have cracked, or the water in the cylinder may have cracked the cylinder if it froze over the winter.
If it hadn't been my father's tractor, and if he hadn't talked about wanting to fix it up and get it painted, I wouldn't feel bad about selling it and replacing it with another Allis-Chalmers B or even a Farmall A, B or Cub. There's a lot of sentimental value in this tractor! I restored the trailer, I guess I could make this live again too.
Erik:
ReplyDeleteI am feeling so sorry for you. I don't think that's right that someone should say something and do something else. If I say I am doing to do something, then my word is my bond and if I can't do it then I should tell you. This isn't good and he really wasn't your friend for doing this to you.
I would help if I could . . .
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
My Flickr // My YouTube
Thanks Bob, He's a great guy, but he kind of dropped the ball on this one. If he had at least covered the exhaust things might be different.
DeleteThis is sad news, to think something as simple as an old soup can over the exhaust could have prevented this heartache, sorry. Of course you know that you have to rebuild it, besides, what else were you going to do over the long Wisconsin winter? Look on the bright side and consider it blog fodder. Looking forward to the posts.
ReplyDeleteIt's probably been 30 years since I pulled the engine out of a car to fix some rod and crank bearings. I guess this won't be too bad of a project.
DeleteYou're right, what else do I have to blog about in the dead of winter.
When I saw "Sad news...." and the mention of water and anti-freeze, my heart sank, even from here. My suggestion would be to not give up yet. I've got a couple of recipes for soaking the stuck motor; they'll cost you almost nothing and my feeling is that whatever damage may be done could be minor. I'm continually surprised with what these old motors can get away with. It's not like you'll be using it in Tractor Pulls.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about soaking the motor too but wasn't sure if it would work with cylinder sleeves.
DeleteI've sprayed some penetrating oil and some Kroil in the cylinders. I'll let it soak for a week and give it a try. I've read about everything from ATF/kerosene mix to Coca-cola to PB Blaster...
DeleteIn the end, if I do get it unstuck, I should still pull the head to take a look at things.
I used to work in a heavy equipment shop and remember watching the mechanic change the cylinders in a small diesel engine. It was a pretty slick thing to see. A few knocks with a heavy hammer to get them moving and they popped right out. The re-sleeve kits on the Allis come with some large O-ring seals that go in a grove around the lower portion of the sleeve. The sleeves drop into place except for the last little bit, where the seals connect with the block casting, making the whole thing water tight. The head gasket takes care of the sealing of the top end.
I hope thing free up and work out with out too much trouble!
I've got friends that (continue!) to revive engines that were given up on long ago. Buddy Mike has done some amazing things with the ATF/Acetone mix, something that wouldn't work on an exposed screw but does great work where you can limit the evaporation.
DeletePatience is a real virtue with things like this. Even if it starts to move, I'd give it lots of time.
5 months?? I'll be happy if it only takes us 5 months :)
I've added some Marvel Mystery Oil and some PB Blaster to the cylinders and started the spark plugs back in to keep the solvents from evaporating. I'll try rocking the tractor in 3rd gear every couple of days...
DeleteI could start to tear it down after Thanksgiving.
I'm thinking like troubadour. You have time over the winter, might as well have a project. I'm saddened to hear it made it into this state. Good luck in making the decision.
ReplyDeleteI probably have 5 months of non riding weather to work on this project. Parts are available and easy to get for these little tractors. They were made for 20 years, and were basically unchanged from day one.
DeleteI'd hate to see it get scrapped over something that's repairable. A 62 year old tractor deserves to live again!
Erik:
Delete. . . that's the same for 62 year old people
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
My Flickr // My YouTube
Erik, it's funny how attached we become to the things that were out parents. I had to let my Dad's tractor go (my tractor mechanic was less than ...) you are lucky that you can work on it if need be but I'm with the other guys, if the quick fixes don't work, at least you've got (another) project for the long winter. Enjoy it as a connection to your past.
ReplyDeleteKaren, You are so right! Both my parents have passed away. The longer they're gone the more I miss them, and treasure what they left my sister and me.
DeleteI did a little research and figured out when my A-C was built.
ReplyDeleteThe first "B" made in 1950 had a serial #102393. The last one made that year was #114526. That's 12,133 B's made that year. Assuming there were 250 "working days" in 1950. My tractor serial #109534, was the 7141 tractor made that year.
So, using cross multiplication, 7141 x 250 / 12,133 = 147.+ What that means was it was made on the 148th "working day" of 1950... or 8-2-1950...
Numbers are my sickness!
I would be inclined to give a go at repairing it. Sure you could sell it and buy something else, but you can't replace the sentimental value.
ReplyDeleteAnd if it doesn't run at least you know you tried.
There's so much sentimental value in that little thing that I feel I almost have to repair it!
DeleteIt seems doubtful that water freezing in the cylinders would cause any cracks since there is plenty of room for expansion. I would simply pull the head and the pan, free up the piston, honing the cylinder may be adequate depending on the condition and replacing one set of rings. The damage shouldn't be too bad. freeing the piston may be a challenge but the penetrating oil should help. I've had good luck with the ATF/kerosene mixture though I haven't had to deal with this issue recently.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was 15 or 16, I freed up a old Scott-Atwater outboard motor that had been stuck. It sure surprised my dad! He came home from work one day to find me running it in a tub of water.
DeleteSomewhere, there is a picture of me in an old rusty row boat with the Scott-Atwater putting along, pulling a new bass boat. It had quit running right in front of our cabin, and I went out to pull them in.
Any news of import on the Allis?
ReplyDeleteI tried again over the weekend to free it up. I hooked it to the truck with a chain, got it rolling and popped the clutch..
DeleteNothing. I sprayed more penetrating oil and Kroil in the cylinders and put the plugs in finger tight to keep it from evaporating.