Need some advice

[Mike Madison]

Hello Good People. I'm considering buying an Oliver Super 55 tractor, diesel, for a very low price. The story is that the owner's friend borrowed it, used a lot of ether to attempt to start the engine, and 'blew a piston.' The tractor is good otherwise, straight tin, good tires, etc. Said to have all parts working as they should other than the engine.. I have not yet been to look at the tractor, but how should I go about evaluating the engine damage? It could have bent rods, bent crankshaft, all kinds of things. Or it could just be a damaged piston--fairly simple fix. Should I expect to take off the oil pan, if that's accessible? A total engine rebuild kit (sleeves, pistons, bearings, valves, etc) is perhaps $1500, so I could be going down an expensive rabbit hole. Any wisdom would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Zebrafive]

Watching to see what the experts say.

My thought is diesels are usually over built, so I doubt crank damage.

 

[Tx Jim]

Unless the "friend" attempted to start engine by towing with too much starting fluid sprayed in intake I doubt the crankshaft or conn. rods would be damaged. I think it would be a good idea to have rods/crank checked out by machine shop. More than likely top ring &/or ring land on pistons are broken. I think I've read the Super 55 has more collectible value than some other Oliver tractor models.

 

[searcyfarms]

I will add that I have had three hydro locked engines one with water and the other two with oil/fuel rods were bent in two of them and the 3rd cleared the engine by pulling it down the road although I got soaked in fuel from the exhaust as we didn't realize why it wouldn't start.

two were diesels one a gasser - the diesels had the bent rods the gasser exhausted the fuel it could but the crankcase was till full but running luckily we shut it down after I got doused with gas and checked further

I doubt like the others here that the crank is damaged - you would be able to find used rods if you need those also