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Trying to Free a Stuck Engine (Got a Question for Old)

R

RTR

Well-known Member
I have a Farmall A that was taken apart to restore back in 2007. It has been sitting out back of the shop since, and I have just not worked on it. The tractor ran EXCELLENT before I took it apart. Reason for restore is because the shed caught on fire, and burnt all the tires, wiring harness, and paint. The tractor was taken apart as far as sitting on jackstands on all 4's and the raidator, engine, torque tube, transmission and wheel centers were still all together. All other engine, sheetmetal, etc. parts were off. I would check the engine about 2 times a year, and it has been turning over since.......except for about 6 months ago. I went to check it then, and it was stuck. Since it hasn't been stuck for long (although been sitting in the elements with no sheetmetal,etc.), that I can soak it for a month or two, and it be fine? What would you recommend using? A mixture of ATF and Deisel, or just straight ATF?

I have a Super A tractor & a Farmall Cub tractor that I bought stuck too. Both tractors were in a building when I bought them. I might try this mixture on them if you think its worth it.

THANKS ALOT!!
 
ATF alone is just fine. bump the starter with a extra battery and jumper cables to see if it will free up after a few days of ATF treatment.
See the notes John and I left you on the Cub issue. Jim
 
First off are the cylinders dry as in NO water in them??? If they are dry and your sure they are fill them with AFT and let it sit. Now i it has so much as one drop of water in any of them mix half a bottle of rubbing alcohol with 2 qts or ATF and use that to fill the cylinder. The rubbing alcohol will absorb the water and then the ATF can do its job. Check it every day and if you can do so with the starter and a 12 volt battery. Only use short fast taps on the starter button and always with the plugs out but always put them back in when your not messing with it
 
I can't speak about the others but - I have worked on several Cubs and have found that not only the rings / pistons were stuck but also the Valves. I would at least pull the head to see what is going on. While you have it open - Look at the valve seats as they tend to get very pitted if water got in there. Good Luck
 
Yes Jim, just saw your posts. I really appreciate all of the help. I apologize for all of the posts tonight. Im just thinking about all of the projects I have and what I want to do tomorrow while I'm off work. I really hate to use the Farmall A as a parts tractor since its stuck. It hasn't been stuck for more than a year, and I feel like I can let it soak and it will free up. How can I tell if there is any water in the cylinders? Its not near the air compressor, so I can't blow them out. Would it be a safe bet to go ahead and use the Rubbing Alcohol & ATF mixture??
 
THe mix will be fine. A tire pump down the spark plug hole will blow out most H2O if there is much in it. An air tank made from a obsolete Propane tank is very nice, Kits can be purchased to make them. No issue on number of posts, we are having fun. Jim
 
You do know they sell simple cans of compressed air and that will do the job or a simple air tank. Or for that matter a piece of old cotton rope pushed down in the cylinder will tell you if there is water in them. Ya I have and do free up many engines and 99% of the time simple ATF is enough to do the job. I'll bet your A has only one small problem called condensation and that is enough to lock one up so a few days of ATF and a 12 volt battery should most likely free it up. I learned years ago if you park it fill it with ATF and it will not lock up
 
You can pull the plugs and with one of those small mag lites you can see the cycl walls enough to see if they are rusty then go from there. If they look pretty bad soaking just wont do it.
 
Why do people mix acetone with the ATF at 50/50?

Would this tractor happen to be in Clinton, WI?
 
When I restored a Farmall A back in the mid 70's I pulled the head and soaked the pistons with ATF. I unbolted the rod caps and used a piece of 2 X 2 oak and a big hammer and drove out 2 pistons. The other 2 the pistons came out with the sleeves. I used a torch to get the pistons from those sleeves since I just needed the rods for the new sleeve kit and pistons. I pulled the engine and even though the crankshaft didn't look too great all it needed was polishing and it needed .002" undersize bearings. I bought them from the machine shop. That sleeve kit was $80.00 back then from our local IH dealer. Hal
a48580.jpg
 
Ive unstuck probally 20 tractors thats been stuck for 20 years plus,by various ways,The only tractor Ive never got unstuck with out breaking the pistons was a super C that had aluminiam pistons in it.I was told that the two different metals caues a reaction thats stronger than weld

jimmy
 
I've got a pump style small oiler can with a flexible hose/end on it (Craftsman to be exact). How many pumps would you guys say that would be plenty in each cylinder. That way I just don't stand there pumping away. I realize some pistons will be at top and some at bottom, but what would be a Good "trigger count" for each cylinder regardless of piston location? Thanks!
 
After making sure the pump is primed, 5 would be fine. Having the oil spread around the perimeter of the piston to find its way onto the rings, go through the ring gap, and loosen the engine won't take more. It will also reduce smoking and mess when starting it. Filling the cylinders is Ok, but not needed for a short term soak, and is real messy when cranking it over with the plugs out to clear the oil befor putting the plugs back in! Jim
 
Thanks Jim for the suggestion. I was gonna do about 6 pumps. I figured maybe some of you guys has done it with the head off so you could tell about how many would be enough without "wasting" it. Like you said, just enough for a short time, and I can re-do it about every 2 weeks.

I sure wish it wasn't raining so much here (us and the tractors are about to float away) so I could actually go out there and get something done! It looks like it will just have to wait until next weekend before I will be able to do it. At least its a 4 day week though!
 
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