mccormik deering 10-20

a have a 10-20 and i dont know any thing abought it the engine is stuck i tride to take out the plugs and one broke off one came out and the other will need the torch so wondering is it easy to take off the head and is the carberator like farmalls or hard to clean

The head removal isn't too hard, but it is heavy.

Heat the plug with a good sized torch tip until it is red. Let it cool cold. Heat it again and let it cool cold. Then remove them easily. The broken off plug might need a easyout to turn it, but it will cone easily after heating. JimN

The head is pretty similar to most simple engines. Valve rockers off, push rods out, cylinder head nuts removed, pull the head. The head slips over long bolts that appear to be screwed into the block. I'm looking at a repair manual that my grandfather got when he bought the '29 10-20 I "grew up on."
If the carb is the original sidedraft type, it is similar to the carb on a "Regular Farmall." There were aftermarket manifolds available in the 30s and 40s to convert to gasoline, so there is at least the possibility that the setup isn't original.
This manual is not very detailed, but I'd be glad to consult it for you if you e-mail me.
There are no torque figures, so I guess with these old hunks of iron, you just did your best to get even tightening on the head.

THANK FOR THE INFO I WILL TRY HEATING IT AND SEE HOW IT WORKS

Large chance it has an updated manifold; does your exhaust go up through the hood? Either way, easy enough carbs to work on.

The nice thing if you decide to pull the head; you should have no trouble getting the pistons loose:

ATF; then some diesel on top & lit on fire [I'd never used the fire trick until a 22-36 I have apart right now; sure seems to help!] right before a solid chunk of post and a large hammer -if you can get 2&3 or 1&4 to move up first with the rod caps off all of them, the other two should be quite cooperative for the hammer.

The bad thing, price creep! :

I have the head off, hmmm, maybe I'll have the valves ground.
Valves shot? (likely a couple with issues if it's been getting water in there),
Better put those in.
Guides are shot?
Well since it's apart, better put them in.
EEK; I have $500 [+/- about $300] in the head! No point in blowing all the compression down the bore if the head's perfect.
.030 worn sleeves, and it's pitted too? [minus a nasty combination though, you will hear plenty of success stories with just rings in these]
Errr, just put $500 in the head, better do the $500 for sleeves along with $100 rings. Don't forget a couple hundred for gaskets!
How do the rod bearings look?
What about those mains? Those ball bearings can ring up...$100s Each! Better add some more gaskets to get to the crankshaft.
What about that clutch?
and on
and on :shock: :lol:

That noted; I got several running for no more cost than an oil change and a few gallons in the gas tank, but just warning how easy it is to add one cost on top of another.

Be careful when you pull the head, Those things are HEAVY with a capitol H.

SO IF IT COST A LOT TO TAKE IT APART SHOULD I JUST TRY TO GET THE PLUGS OUT AND SOAK IT TO FREE IT UP AND THEN TRY TO GET HER RUNNING OR WHAT DO YOU THINK THANKS

(quoted from post at 22:33:25 01/24/09) SO IF IT COST A LOT TO TAKE IT APART SHOULD I JUST TRY TO GET THE PLUGS OUT AND SOAK IT TO FREE IT UP AND THEN TRY TO GET HER RUNNING OR WHAT DO YOU THINK THANKS

Click to expand...

It doesn't really costs too much to pull the head, but sure can lead to "price creap" [$50 spent doesn't make $100 more seem too bad, which doesn't $500 ect.]. I think the head gasket is under $50 and the whole top gasket set is under $100.

So, it depends upon your intended use as well as the history and present condition.

For "Sunday drives", why not try soaking it first while it's all together?! Even slightly beyond that, if you don't see any reasons that it may have to come all apart [hand hole gaskets are real cheap, if they even need to be replaced so you may as well peek inside], it cost nothing to try a little soaking time first.

If it doesn't cooperate, pull the head - and stop wherever your gut or checkbook lets or makes you! 8)

thank a lot i think i will try soking it first before i take the head off keping my fingers crosed hope i dont break a ring or two

Dan The head removal is no big deal. Getting the engine loose may be a job but definately doable. I have done lots of these engines and if you just want to get it going you wont have to buy a lot of parts they are very forgiving.If however you want to put it back to work 'price creep " can overtake you.