'48 Farmall H

Worker bee · Apr 29, 2009

Went to start my H the other day (after 2 weeks of rain) and found the engine froze up. The tractor sits out side, no cover. She was running great before although she smokes. Afraid I might have to rebuild her mill. I found a little water in the intake manifold, but not much. If I need to rebuild will I have to split her or is possible to do this without going through the trouble. Also is it possible that she has "hydro-lock"? Not sure what this is as a friend suggested that this might be what is going on. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Worker bee · Apr 29, 2009

Forgot to state in "subject" engine froze.

MIKE FRENCH · Apr 29, 2009

Take the spark plugs out and then try to turn the engine over, good luck

rustyfarmall · Apr 29, 2009

The first thing to do is take out the spark plugs, shine a light in the hole and see what you have. If the cylinder is full of water, try cranking the engine again with the spark plugs still removed. If it was hydro-locked, that should cure it. If it is not hydro-locked, but instead is rusted, (most likely) spray some penetrating oil such as PB Blaster, or pour some automatic transmission fluid into the cylinders, let it set and soak for a couple of days and then try cranking the engine again. If the tractor sat outside for only 2 weeks, it shouldn't be too hard to get it unstuck.

Andy Martin · Apr 29, 2009

Yes, if you get enough water down the exhaust it will go through an open valve and fill the cylinder. The engine won't turn over when that cylinder comes up on top dead center. In cars and trucks you can bend a rod trying to crank a water locked engine but I have never hurt an H or M.

First pull the oil drain plug just enough to let any water out that may have passed the rings. Then take all the spark plugs out and it will probably put out quite a black shower when you spin it. After you get it started warm it up good and kill it and change the oil if you drained any water. If there was no water in the crankcase the little that got past the rings will not hurt the engine.

Water can get in past a loose exhaust pipe, rain cap left off or open, but also from a muffler rusted through on the top of the muffler body where you might not even notice small holes. With steady rain you can get a lot of water through a rusted muffler. There is supposed to be a water drain in the manifold but most are plugged with rust.

old · Apr 29, 2009

Crack the oil drain plug just enough to get a drip from it. That way you can see if it has water in the oil. If it does let it drain till you get no more water. Pull all the plugs out and see if it will spin over then. If it does spin it over for a couple minutes to clear the water out. Then buy some HEET and a qt of tranny fluid and mix them and pour that mix in the cylinders and let it sit a few hours. Spin it over again with the plugs out and I bet it will start and run after that. The HEET and ATF mix will lube the cylinders and also remove any left over water in them. If it is still stuck then you need to use a stick etc to make sure you do not have water in the cylinders and if you do you have to get that water out ASAP
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'48 Farmall H

Worker bee

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Worker bee

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MIKE FRENCH

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rustyfarmall

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Andy Martin

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old

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