'51 JD MT cylinder head and valves

qphillips · Aug 14, 2015

Hello,
I am new to the forum and am a newbie at working on tractors.

Working on Grandpa's '51 JD MT and found bent push rods (1 and 4) in the cylinder head. I believe these are for the exhaust valves because I am not getting any compression out of the exhaust.

I removed the cylinder head and it is sitting on my workbench, but now I'm intimidated on compressing the springs and removing the the valves. Is this something I should attempt, or should I take it to a mechanic? I am pretty handy, but have limited engine repair experience.

I have lots of pics if anyone answers and wants to see them.

Thanks,

Q

Patsdeere · Aug 14, 2015

With the right spring compressor or some
redneck engineering you can do it.

DJB · Aug 14, 2015

Welcome to the forums! There are a lot of knowledgeable and helpful folks here. I sure have learned a lot of there years just by reading.

Since you have the head off, I'd recommend finding a recommended shop in your area to check it out. Those heads are known for cracking.

I have an MT I was going to save, but after getting into it, the cost just wasn't worth it when comparing to what I could buy already finished. Of course, it wasn't a family tractor. I'd definitely would have restored it if it was.

What part of the country are you in? I'm up in southern MN.

You may find more responses to your John Deere specific questions if you ask them in the John Deere forum.

-Derik

JMS/.MN · Aug 14, 2015

Redneck engineering? Like a couple of screwdrivers...make sure you"re in a clean little room, so you can find the keepers after they go flying...LOL

Tech 7 · Aug 14, 2015

Do you have a drill press? If so cut a section out of a small piece of pipe to allow access to the keepers and push it down with the drill press chuck.

RBoots · Aug 14, 2015

X2, I have worked on a few 40's, every one had
a cracked head, in the exhaust port.

Ross

M-MAN · Aug 14, 2015

You could get a valve spring compressor from an automotive parts house along with lapping compound and the lapper. You would be better off taking it to an automotive machine shop and let them do it.

Steve@Advance · Aug 14, 2015

That may be something you want to take to a machine shop, especially since it appears those have a history of cracking. Be sure to have them check for cracks before proceeding with other repairs.

Was there evidence of water in the cylinders? Possibly the pushrods bent because the valves were rusted in the guides. But, still need to find out why they bent before going back together.

Dick2 · Aug 14, 2015

Our 1948 Jack Sheep G came from the factory with bent connecting rods, splines machined wrong on both ends of the crankshaft and a sand hole in the block that flooded one cylinder. Last JD tractor that was ever on the place.

qphillips · Aug 14, 2015

Hi All,

Thanks for the responses and encouragement. Steve, the valves did look rusty.
I took the head to a engine shop. Should be ready next week.
I'll follow up, and I'm sure I'll have more questions as I go.

Quinton

bill mart · Aug 14, 2015

now thats holding a grudge! Bill

gene bender · Aug 14, 2015

What wilol you do with them when they are out. Just take the head t6o a good machine shop and get the valves and seats ground if they need it.

Kent Petersen · Aug 15, 2015

Theres got to be more to that story"that you are not telling us. any trouble like that and Deere would be fixing it very soon

'51 JD MT cylinder head and valves

qphillips

New User

Patsdeere

Well-known Member

DJB

Member

JMS/.MN

Well-known Member

Tech 7

Well-known Member

RBoots

Well-known Member

M-MAN

Well-known Member

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

Dick2

Well-known Member

qphillips

New User

bill mart

Well-known Member

gene bender

Well-known Member

Kent Petersen

Well-known Member

Similar threads