Farmall H: Engine Stuck

RB in PA · Jun 21, 2009

Okay, here"s my story. My 1947 Farmall H is a bit reluctant to tell me what"s wrong with it. I would push the starter button and nothing would happen. The engine would not even turn over or hum. So I replaced the battery (it did look low on power)--nothing. I rebuilt the starter--nothing. I can turn the belt PTO and the fan is moving. Then when I try to push the button to start it again, it seems to turn over once and doesnt do anything else. I think my engine is just in a little stuck spot, but could it be anything else?

Clean John · Jun 21, 2009

Try pulling the spark plugs out and see if it will turn over-you didnt say if its been run lately or not. Could be hydro stsatic lock --
fwiw john

Brownie 450 · Jun 21, 2009

When you turn the pulley, how many turns can you get? Does the engine fan only turn so far & then you turn it backwards? If you can keep turning the engine by hand, the engine is loose.
If this is the case, try shorting across the starter switch connection bolts[I've gotten in trouble before for suggesting this} & see if the starter engages & turns the engine. If it does, try replacing the starter switch.

rterry · Jun 21, 2009

bad connection on battery or starter had the same problem

TomH in PA · Jun 21, 2009

If you haven"t already cone so, replace all the cables: battery to switch, switch to starter, and battery to ground. Probably at least one of them is broken inside even if they look okay on the outside.

RB in PA · Jun 22, 2009

All of the wiring is fairly new (within the last year or so) and I checked the starter switch and that is in working order. To reply to Brownie 450, I can turn the fan a little and then I can only turn it backwards, so I"m assuming that the engine is stuck.

David G · Jun 22, 2009

Can you turn it with the crank?

RB in PA · Jun 22, 2009

I don't have a hand crank. It would really come in handy though!

mkirsch · Jun 23, 2009

Could be any of 100 things wrong here.

It would help to know...

A. Did this happen while you were running the tractor?
B. Did this happen overnight or after a few days?
C. Has the tractor been sitting a long time?

If A, then something is broken. Gonna have to take it apart.
If C, then it may just be a ridge of rust in one of the cylinders. Pour some automatic transmission fluid down each cylinder. Jack up a wheel, put the tractor in 5th, and roll the wheel back and forth.

In the case of B, then it gets complicated. I would at least pull the valve cover to make sure all the valves are in place. If one dropped, then that would stop the engine from turning over.

RB in PA · Jun 23, 2009

I think it is a bit of rust in the cylinders. I
talked to a mechanic and he said it's probably that.
I will pour some fluid down the cylinders and rock
it around a bit. Thanks for all of the tips. I'll
keep everyone posted on how it turns out!

Farmall H: Engine Stuck

RB in PA

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Clean John

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