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Farmall A engine seized

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Dennis

07-28-2004 19:04:13

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To all,

I have a Farmall A that has run great since I've had it (about 2 yrs). I started it for the first time this year a few weeks ago. It ran fine the first half hour. I took it for a spin around the block and it died out. It restarted right away and I drove it home. It died out in the driveway and has not run since. I cleaned the carb and checked all the electrical. The gas was old with some junk in it, but the carb appeared to be clean. I drained and cleaned everything and tried to restart with no luck. It would fire but not run. I did a compression test and discovered that there was very little compression on all of the cylinders. At that point we went on vacation for 2 weeks. Upon returning, I removed the valve cover and discovered 3 push rods were not engaged with the valve levers. I tried to crank the engine manually, but it was froze solid. I have also removed the valve lever assembly and retried cranking and it is still froze. What might have happened here? I think I have to continue to tear the engine down, but I wouldn't mind hearing some other ideas on what the next step is and to what degree of an overhaul I might be in for. The engine was supposedly overhauled before I got it. It always ran very smooth and did not burn any oil, plus it always started on the first turn. Any comments or ideas are welcome. Thank you.

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Dennis

08-01-2004 10:50:36

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Re: Farmall A engine seized in reply to Dennis, 07-28-2004 19:04:13

Thanks for all the advice. I have been able to free the engine. What I did was fill an oil can with sea foam and oil and squirt about 4 oz into each sparkplug hole and tried cranking manually a couple times each day. Finally, yesterday I was able to turn the engine over. I still have the problem of 3 stuck valves. I am able to rotate the engine because I have the rocker arm assembly off. I have been putting penetrating oil on the valve stem with the hope that it will wick down and free the stuck valves. Does this sound like a good approach, or is there a better way? It's real tempting to tap on the valve stem with something non-metallic, but I can't bring myself to do it. Also, if the valves should free up, would it be advisable to button things up and see if it will run or are they some precautionary things to do to prevent this from reoccuring. I plan to change the oil and make sure the fuel system is cleaned out. Once again thanks to all. You saved me a lot of work.

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AZglide

07-30-2004 17:34:31

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Re: Farmall A engine seized in reply to Dennis, 07-28-2004 19:04:13

Had a similiar problem with a '58 140. Running fine, shut it off for a few minutes, tried to restart and it wouldn't turn over. Took the starter out, no problem there. Tried pulling it backwards and forward, engine would not turn, weighted wheels would slide along on dry ground. Took the inspection cover off and with a pry bar against the flywheel ring gear just bearly managed to turn the engine. Started right up and ran perfectly. It has done this a couple of times, never have figured out what caused it.

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Craig

07-30-2004 13:06:09

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Re: Farmall A engine seized in reply to Dennis, 07-28-2004 19:04:13

There is a chance the starter got jammed on the last start. I had this happen on my A and it stuck the engine. Loosen the two bolts and see if it is free.

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gauger

07-29-2004 06:01:24

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Re: Farmall A engine seized in reply to Dennis, 07-28-2004 19:04:13

Check that the governor pinion turns in it's bushing, I had a piece of something seize my SA dead in it's tracks when it became lodged between the governor pinion and bushing.

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shawn manck

07-29-2004 02:10:19

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Re: Farmall A engine seized in reply to Dennis, 07-28-2004 19:04:13

you might want to drain the oil and see if any metal particles are in the oil. this might give you an indication of any premature wear or and component damage. If the oil is clean there might not be any damage. also remove the spark plugs and squirt a mixture of marvel mystery oil and diesel into each cylinder. then try to get it to turn over by hand. hope this helps

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Jim Becker

07-28-2004 21:38:45

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Re: Farmall A engine seized in reply to Dennis, 07-28-2004 19:04:13

The low compression is probably from stuck valves, which may be the reason you had problems starting it in the first place.

My assessment: You said that it wouldn't start, but I assume that you tried to start it a lot before you went on vacation. All the gasoline that was sucked into the cylinders washed down the oil from the pistons and bores. This may have also been the reason for the low compression readings. I am guessing you didn't oil the cylinders before the compression test, last thing before you walked away from it. Once the cylinders were washed mostly free of oil, 2 weeks was plenty of time for them to sieze. You need to squirt liberal amounts of penetrating oil into each spark plug hole then walk away from it for a few days. If it doesn't break free, repeat a couple times before you go to more drastic measures.

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gene b

07-28-2004 20:03:46

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Re: Farmall A engine seized in reply to Dennis, 07-28-2004 19:04:13

If it wont turn over it sure is not stuck valves. I would pull the pan and check if there is any way that you can tell why it is stuck. Then i would take the rod caps off one at a time to see if any of them has spun. Remove and replace one at a time if they are ok then do the same with the main bearing caps. If everything checks ok then pull the head sooner or later you will find why it is stuck. Just because it was gone thru doesent mean the work was done correct. Just finished replacing the o-rings in a B that had most of the gaps in the rings lined up in a row. Its too bad there are bad repairmen out there butit happens. GOOD LUCK Glad to help if i can.

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john *.?-!.* cub owner

07-28-2004 19:14:17

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Re: Farmall A engine seized in reply to Dennis, 07-28-2004 19:04:13

Check for stuck valves.

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