farmall c rebuild

IHCC51 · Feb 28, 2018

I have my Grandfathers 1951 Farmall C. I pull a finish mower that asks for 35 PTO HP. From searching the archives I think I need to get to the equivalent of a c-135 engine. So my thought was to get the 3 1/4" over bore piston and sleeve kit with stepped head pistons. The only issue is that I have antifreeze in my oil and I believe it is the head. Does anyone know how much can come off of the head and still use stepped head pistons? I understand that there are many different piston kits out there but if they were designed for stock parts how much room would I have if the head does indeed need to be planed? The original engine has been replaced with block # 354898 R2 and the head is casting # 251172 R1 the engine does now have stepped head pistons. Thank You to anyone who can help.
Steve

DaveBN · Feb 28, 2018

Antifreeze in the oil can be from the sealss at the bottom of the piston sleeves. Drain the oil and take the oil pan off. Look closely at the bottomof the sleeves for signs of leaking antifreeze. Also could be a bad head gasket so not always a bad head.

Dave

Andy Martin · Feb 28, 2018

Have you run the tractor with the mower? How big is the mower? Modern tractors have their horsepower overstated. They are also lightweight with little bitty flywheels. You C will do a lot more than new 35 hp tractors, IMHO.

Moonlite37 · Feb 28, 2018

I agree C is much more than a new 35 hp utility

Fritz Maurer · Feb 28, 2018

My machinist has cleaned up some really nasty heads with only .006" removal. First order of the day is degrease/magnaflux before any machining, if you have reason to suspect the head. There is enough room in the combustion chamber to take way more than .006", but remember you're not too far from the water.

IHCC51 · Feb 28, 2018

Andy,
The mower is a lastec 7-21 it finish mows 11 feet wide. The C will run it but on the hill at the back of the yard it really pulls it down and if I let it get long at all it does not do a very good job. I am pretty sure though that the engine is not what it once was.
Thank You
Steve

IHCC51 · Feb 28, 2018

Dave,
Thank you for your reply. When I take the # 1 spark plug out after running it I have a couple of tablespoons of anti-freeze on top of the piston and if I don't draw it out it works its way down to the oil. Also my compression reading is low on # 1 ( only about 85 psi ). I followed instructions from the archives and replaced the head gasket in so doing when I set I on the block without the gasket it would rock side to side a little. That is what makes me think it is the head.
Thanks again
Steve

farmall c rebuild

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