Farmall Super M

Anonymous-0 · Oct 18, 2011

new 53 Super M (to me) had no compression in #3, and low in all other cylinders. I pulled the head(head gasket had blown and water was in the oil). The # 3 cylinder and plug had never fired. For the few minutes it ran it did not smoke. Should I be pulling pistons?

dej(Jed) · Oct 18, 2011

(quoted from post at 10:24:32 10/18/11) new 53 Super M (to me) had no compression in #3, and low in all other cylinders. I pulled the head(head gasket had blown and water was in the oil). The # 3 cylinder and plug had never fired. For the few minutes it ran it did not smoke. Should I be pulling pistons?

At least check the ring gap on 3. Otherwise I would simply dress up the valves, install a new head gasket and torque it down. Worse case scenario you take it apart later and do a ring and sleeve job.

mike1972chev · Oct 18, 2011

What were the readings in the other cylinders that you were saying were low?

In MY opinion,since you have went this far,you might as well go ahead and do the whole engine.It isnt that much more to take it all down.(Assuming this motor is not already a RECENT rebuild having this trouble???Your post said:"for the few minutes it ran".)If it has been MANY hours on that engine,or it has NEVER been rebuilt.
My opinion.

JRSutton · Oct 18, 2011

Did you try adjusting the valves before taking everything apart?

Anonymous-0 · Oct 18, 2011

I was very nervous due to all the water in the oil. So I removed the head. Thought the head gasket blew, which it did. Did not adjust the valves

JRSutton · Oct 18, 2011

Guess I'm not sure exactly what your question is - or more specifically the reasoning behind it. Not sure there's enough info to answer accurately.

It's hard to say you should do any work on the pistons because the pressure was low before you took it all apart.

How low is low? And any time you do a compression test, you really should adjust the valves first. at least make sure there's SOME gap when they're closed.

But, the bottom line is that if the tractor has never gotten new pistons/rings, then by default it would be a good idea to change them out.

Whether or not that's neccesary is a totally different question.

What will the tractor be used for/how often?

If money is a concern, and the tractor was running fine and not burning oil, I'd slap it back together and worry about it some other day.

D Slater · Oct 18, 2011

Not that hard to pull the pan and remove the pistons on that tractor when the head is already off. If tractor run with antifreeze going into a cylinder it would pay to check at least that cylinder. When getting compression readings have all spark plugs out and throttle wide open. Have a good starter and battery cranking also.

robgIN · Oct 18, 2011

are the plugs new or old ? If they look like they have been in there awhile do they look like they have a lot of buildup like it was burning oil? What do they cylinder walls look like ? Can you move the piston around a lot in the bore? That should help you decide whether to do it all now or just the gasket. An engine kit for SM isn't a huge sum of money so since you already have it half apart I would look it over good now. Be kind of a waste to replace head gasket and still have a sick running tractor.

rustyfarmall · Oct 19, 2011

(quoted from post at 12:28:47 10/18/11) I was very nervous due to all the water in the oil. So I removed the head. Thought the head gasket blew, which it did. Did not adjust the valves

Any time the head has been removed, ANY TIME, the valve clearance gap needs to be checked.

Farmall Super M

Anonymous-0

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dej(Jed)

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mike1972chev

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JRSutton

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Anonymous-0

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JRSutton

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D Slater

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robgIN

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rustyfarmall

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