856 farmall

New at this. I have an 856 gas and would like to put a diesel engine in it. What do I have to change or replace? Is it more trouble than it is worth?

HMMM, don't know if I'd do this. Gasoline is cheaper than diesel right now. Have you run the numbers on the difference in fuel burn and cost? I haven't but was just wondering if there is still a difference in "operating" cost between a gasser and a diesel now-a-days.

I didn't think the even made a 856 gas. News to me. If I was doing alot of hard field work with it I would want the diesel but if you are going to use it lightly and in the winter go with the gas. JHMO

They made a 856 gas, not many but they made them. Muncy, it would be much easier to sell your gasser and buy a diesel. A good D-407 is very hard to find.

Ken Updikes data book says C301, gasoline or LPG.

It has been done, you can put in a 66 series engine 414,436 and 466 cid.These engines cost less to fix and overhaul.If you didn't need the power you could use a 282diesel their about 70hp out of a 706.

i tend to agree with selling the gasser and buy a diesel if you need it. looking at external_link 856's are going anywhere from 5 to 12 grand. you will prolly drop anywhere from 2 to 5 k for a good diesel motor, plus all the doo-dads you will need for the changeover. here is a link to tractor house. the 856 gasser may bring some good money because there werent to many made.
tractor house

Muncy: Don't let them kid you, that 856 with a gasser is little more than a parts tractor. No one is going to pay you much for it. I don't care how low production numbers were.

I agree the 407 diesel engine will be hard to find. Don't go 282, not enough power for that chassis. 282 was a great engine running a 2,000 rpm max in the 560 and 656. Once it was turned up to 2,400 for 706 or 660 it was not noted for longevity.

There are hundreds of used DT360 or DT466 truck engines around in good condition. It will cost you $8,000 to $10,000. by the time you have it installed in 856 and set at a reasonble hp. Next question, is your 856 chassis in good enough condition to be worth spending those kinds of dollars. A lot of gassers are, no one could afford to farm with them since 1983.

Yes the fuel efficiency is there. I farmed with gassers many years ago. When we got 560 and 656 diesels, first thing we noticed, engine maintainence was nothing more than oil and filters for 10,000 hours. Fuel consumption was 1/3 the gallons for the same horse power. Diesel would be a bargain if it were twice the cost of gas. Finally diesel will give much steadier hp on heavy work. I pulled a 5x16 semi-mount plow with my 656 diesel. A friend had a 656 gasser, told me he had trouble with 4x14 plow in some conditions.

I had a Farmall 300 gas from new, always pulled 3x16 trailer plow. I acquired a 504 gasser with farmland. The vendor told me not to keep it any longer than I had to. I told him 504 was 10 more hp than 300. He said, " one has to be a dreamer to believe that, take the tractor to the field and try it." I did and I hooked it to that 3x16 plow, the 300 pulled so faithfully. One hour later I was back to plowing with old 300, and the 504 got traded off on a new 1066. Plain and simple the gas engines IH built after 1958 were crap. Possible exception were Cub and 140.