450 LP expert needed

Clifford McKinney · Oct 11, 2011

Two questions about my 450 lp: one, does anybody make a rebuild kit for the regulator, and two, can someone tell me whether the pistons for the LP engine are the same as the gas ones for the 281 engine? It does of course have the lp heads. Thanks.

Wardner · Oct 11, 2011

If you search on my name and add LP, you will probably find a few threads on my W-400LP. There are a couple of addresses of vendors.

I suggest you disassemble the regulator before buying the $100 kit. You may need more than a few 0-rings, buttons, and gaskets. Those non-kit parts such as springs, partitions, and levers are probably not available.

I gave up and just bought a used regulator on eBay for $20 plus shipping. So much quicker and easier.

Wardner · Oct 11, 2011

You can also search on propane, ensign, regulator, W400LP, etc.

CenTex Farmall · Oct 11, 2011

I have two of those rascals and although I haven't been into an engine yet, I'm pretty sure they use flat top pistons.

There's been some threads about people using domed pistons in them. Some of the real tall domes can hit parts of the head. Search on the pulling forum as well.

The regulators are fairly simple and sometimes all they need is a cleaning, as Wardner suggested.

redgems · Oct 11, 2011

I have Smta on propane.
My experience was that 4 1/8 firecraters were to tall. You can use special gasket get by,MAYBE.
Mine clattered like the dickens thought it was everything but what it really was. Learned that with gas, factory got compresson from pistons. With the l.p. they got compresson from the head in the 450's. If you use a later 400 head labeled for gas or l.p. You can use the firecraters because head chambers are deeper.
So, in my case I went back to 4 1/8 flat tops and kepted the 450 propane head.However, I have since bought a Z cast code gas l.p head that my plan is to go back to firecraters and use this head, only because its a show tractor and the only non z code on it was the 450 head<.br> As for l.p regulator repairs; I sent one to Welters Farm Supply,in Mo and they repaired it.
They are a M.M.repair but many early day mm were on propane. Hope that helps, Tony

randy hall · Oct 11, 2011

pistons were flat from the factory on your 450 propane tractor. for pulling i use m+w turbo domes and the propane head with no head gasket with no clearance issues,but fire-craters from ih will need just a little grinding to clear the valves.

Old-F20 · Oct 11, 2011

part number 366476R91 is the piston and sleeve set for gas (standard altitude) and LP gas tractors. only difference was the head.

I have an 806 LP as well, and by that time theu had the same head as a gasser, they only upped the compression was th eonly difference. they must have figured out it was easier to have two sets of pistons made versus having two different heads cast

Clifford McKinney · Oct 14, 2011

So if I buy the standard engine rebuild kit for a 450 gas, it should come with pistons (and sleaves of course) that are essentially the same as what came in it? The reason I say 450 gas, is because the machine shop guy said he couldn't find any listing for 450 lp piston and sleave kits, only 450 gas piston and sleave kits. That is, the flat top pistons for a 450 gas, are exactly the same as 450 lp ones? I really appreciate all the replies; this info is hard to come by.

Old-F20 · Oct 14, 2011

(quoted from post at 10:57:55 10/14/11) So if I buy the standard engine rebuild kit for a 450 gas, it should come with pistons (and sleaves of course) that are essentially the same as what came in it? The reason I say 450 gas, is because the machine shop guy said he couldn't find any listing for 450 lp piston and sleave kits, only 450 gas piston and sleave kits. That is, the flat top pistons for a 450 gas, are exactly the same as 450 lp ones? I really appreciate all the replies; this info is hard to come by.

thats pretty much sums it up. thats how its listed in the parts book

450 LP expert needed

Clifford McKinney

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Wardner

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Wardner

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CenTex Farmall

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redgems

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randy hall

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Old-F20

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Clifford McKinney

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Old-F20

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