Branson 4520 rescue project!

[K5lwq]

BigTex in Caddo Mills for Branson parts. I ordered the thermostat and some gaskets from Diesel Parts Direct out of Baton Rouge, LA. They have good prices for Yanmar parts.

 

[Citydude]

Video of the tractor running.

Not sure if this will work.
I was looking for the oil leak.

You have to name it Lazarus!

 

[EddieWalker]

I've never been to BigTex in Caddo Mills. I bought my tractor from Cokers and it's hit and miss with them. If they have it in stock, you can't beat their prices. But if they have to order it, you never know when it will arrive. They will say it will be there on Thursday, and when you go in there on Friday, they say next Thursday. I played that game with them for 2 months before it showed up!!!

 

[K5lwq]

If you get a chance you should go check them out. They are a awesome dealership with great people working there.

 

[Branson Bob]

Holy Crap K5... she lives!!! Awesome work!

 

[K5lwq]

Thanks Bob! Yes it is alive but still very much on life support. Citydude named it appropriately, Lazarus.

I decided to order the entire fuel filter assembly from DPD. It was $80 shipped but I keep questioning the bleeder valve. This will probably save a little headache later as I continue working on it.

 

[K5lwq]

Update on the patient.

It is off of life support but still very much in Critical condition.

I stopped enough of the coolant leaks to get the engine up to temperature a couple of times. Finally the smoke is starting to clear out and the engine is limbering up and starting to get happy.

On the last run the Radiator opened up and is done! Priced a new one from Branson and it will eat up a $700 bill! This week I will see if a local radiator shop can build me one. They are known for custom radiators. Fingers crossed!

One of the freeze plugs will not seal so I will have to devise a technique for repairing the casting. Whoever removed the original plug damaged the bottom of the hole.

The water pump bearings are shot so I will order one later today.

I also need to replace all of the fuel lines. It is drawing air from somewhere.

If I can stop all the bleeding I believe it will recover to live a useful life.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Thanks for the update. Nice to see you rehabilitating this poor thing. It was certainly neglected and abused.

You may just have to use a rubber expansion plug in that one buggered plug location.

In my old racing and custom street car days, I had several custom built aluminum radiators made for me. I could specify whatever I wanted, tank size and volume, core diameter and number of cores. Made a huge difference in keeping a high performance big block with high compression pistons alive in the summer streets of Phoenix. I'm sure any skilled custom shop could make you exactly what you need.

 

[EddieWalker]

What is the name of the radiator shop? I've used Tyler Radiator Shop on S Palace, and they did a good job, but they where very limited on what they would do. I don't have any complaints, but I would love to learn of a better place to go to.

 

[K5lwq]

Well that is who was recommended by 1-800-Radiator behind Sweet Sue's. There also is a place in Longview I am told that does good work so we will see. Lol