Farmall A Engine Rebuild

[Deano]

I posted this in the McCormick forum also...


We have an old Adams Grader with a Farmall A engine that water got into the engine through the exhaust. Can anyone tell me an approximate cost to tear down, inspect, and worse case senario overhaul the engine?? I see that overhaul kits are between $350 and $400 online.
We would have a mechanic do it, once we find one...

Does anyone know a mechanic in Southern Maryland who would be willing to do this?? (I know it is a long shot asking on this forum)

Thanks,
Deano

 

[Chuck_Lind]

Have you ever considered removing the engine, crating it up and shipping it to a facility that specializes in these types of engines?

Car engines especially are crated-up and shipped to California for rebuilds because the folks are experts at rebuilding engines.

Something to consider; I wouldn't think the 4-cylinder engine would weigh that much. But then again, that's old iron your looking at.

 

[Deano]

That may be an option. Does anyone know of a person or company that I could contact about shipping it to??

Thanks,
Deano

 

[BobG_in_VA]

I posted this in the McCormick forum also...


We have an old Adams Grader with a Farmall A engine that water got into the engine through the exhaust. Can anyone tell me an approximate cost to tear down, inspect, and worse case senario overhaul the engine?? I see that overhaul kits are between $350 and $400 online.
We would have a mechanic do it, once we find one...

Does anyone know a mechanic in Southern Maryland who would be willing to do this?? (I know it is a long shot asking on this forum)

Thanks,
Deano

Since you don't seem to know what you are dealing with, here's a couple of issues you will need to deal with....1. I assume the engine is "stuck", 2. the overhaul kits include the pistons, sleeves, rings, gaskets...3. What about the crank? 4. What about the oil pump. 5. What about the head (valves/seats, etc) 6. carb is probably in dire need of rebuild....OK, let me stop there....you really need to know what you are in for before you contract for someone to "rebuild" your engine. Check Ebay for complete/partial engines of the type you have...you may get lucky. Good luck. BobG in VA

 

[Chuck_Lind]

That may be an option. Does anyone know of a person or company that I could contact about shipping it to??

Thanks,
Deano[/QUOTE

Used Google and found one: Rebuilt Engines - Engine Rebuilders - Engine Restoration Services

That's a start.

There's also companies that have rebuilding kits: http://www.tractorpartssource.com/farmallenginekits.htm?gclid=CPjSss65kp4CFR9N5QodIWqAqA

 

[flusher]

I posted this in the McCormick forum also...


We have an old Adams Grader with a Farmall A engine that water got into the engine through the exhaust. Can anyone tell me an approximate cost to tear down, inspect, and worse case senario overhaul the engine?? I see that overhaul kits are between $350 and $400 online.
We would have a mechanic do it, once we find one...

Does anyone know a mechanic in Southern Maryland who would be willing to do this?? (I know it is a long shot asking on this forum)

Thanks,
Deano

That Farmall A has a 4-cyl gas engine similar to the 4-cyl Hercules gas engine in my 1951 Minneapolis Moline BF tractor. I had that BF engine completely rebuilt a few months ago-new pistons, intake valves, valve seats, rings, bearings, rebored cylinders, ground the crankshaft, milled the flywheel, block hot cleaned, reassembled to short block configuration. $800 parts, $800 labor.



Old tractor engines are like old household plumbing--once you start disassembly, you usually run into more expense than you expected. My guess is that you're looking at $1K parts and labor to get your engine back in shape.

I have a 1951 Farmall Super A that I plan to tear into next year. It runs OK so, if the compression is good, I won't have to do an engine rebuild.

 

[Deano]

Thank you for the information everyone provided. I had the same thoughts about things getting progressively worse as you go along. We are going to remove the plugs and put some liquid wrench or other similar product in each cylinder, wait a couple of days then attempt to turn it over with a braeker bar on the crankshaft nut.

Deano

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Thank you for the information everyone provided. I had the same thoughts about things getting progressively worse as you go along. We are going to remove the plugs and put some liquid wrench or other similar product in each cylinder, wait a couple of days then attempt to turn it over with a braeker bar on the crankshaft nut.
Deano

Use Automatice transmission fluid instead. Also the the A has a hand-crank setsup atthe front of the crankshaft. You will notice the "keyway" hole in the front of the tractor....goes back to the crank. Instead of a breaker bar, put the tractor in high gear and rock it back and forth with the rear wheels....watch the fan to see if the engine crank moves when you do this. BobG in VA

 

[Sunkistdds]

The fun of old tractors is in the doing. No way would I let any of my oldies be over hauled by someone at a rebuild shop. This is TLC and I know what I have when I am done. It is not about saving money, this is why we mess with the stuff. Of course I may be the only health care professional to ever overhaul an international TA in a 706: One spring and bushing at a time. Enjoy the time spent in the shop... it is nothing but fun.

No I don't rebuild my own clutches or grind my own cranks... I have a friend and watch though.