I never stopped running today and didn't get a chance to reply to comments. Mrs. PP's car is once again in the shop this time because of some sensor that went bad. Wouldn't let the POS automatic transmission shift. Of course they had to order one so now I am driving her to work, fighting the morning traffic into and then back out of town then doing it all over again when she get's off work.
One reason I like my old vehicles. Easier to keep em running and no sensors that mysteriously shut the things down. Luckily this particular sensor isn't all that expensive but we still pay for the privilege of them plugging the damned thing in of course.
A few hours of honey deliveries and a couple of hours of tractor work pulling some more old fence posts was about all I had time for along with tracking down the parts to fix my 861 diesel tractor I blew up. The good news is just like with my vehicles any and every part I will need is still available. The bad news is I am going to pay through the nose for some of them. On the other hand as I said this is something I planned to do anyway just hoped I could wait a year or more. Then again we may not have a year or more either.
The big question at this point is if I can do the work myself with family help or if I am going to have to take it somewhere. The biggest obstacle is still finding a place I can work on it myself the second obstacle is I know nothing about diesel injection systems.
At the top of the spectrum if I take the old girl in to the regional New Holland dealer, who is most eager to do the work, worst case scenario is 3K to get her running again with a complete overhaul and engine rebuild. At the bottom of the spectrum is an old retired guy who actually has worked on these old Fords before and has his own independent shop who thinks he might be able to do it for under 2K.
Of course no one knows for sure until it's done what the final cost will be or at least until we crack the engine apart and see what the actual damage is inside. Until then we are only guessing. If the crankshaft is too badly damaged this can get ugly fast.
A slightly cheaper option is to replace the diesel with a gas engine but I am resisting that idea tooth and nail.
One thing is clear though repairing the old girl is within my means and I will have her back running by Spring, or at least that is the goal. I still can't replace her for the money it will cost to repair her so I might as well move forward with that.
Keep Prepping Everyone!!!!!!
Hard to say what to do, if you were planning on a rebuild anyway it may be the time to do it as if you look at zero hedge, things are sinking a little.
ReplyDeleteHere is one but it is far away.
https://westernmass.craigslist.org/grd/5278094718.html
Sf - Oh I was planning for a total rebuild I just thought I could maybe wait a year or so more until I had all the implements I want/need bought too.
DeleteI think you maybe right about time though. Perhaps this was actually something that needed done before things get bad and the timing is a good thing.
I may have missed one of your comments or just missed it in your posts. Did you restart it with new oil? Did it sound bad? Smoke? Seems you are set on a rebuild. Just curious.
ReplyDeleteJL - Yes I started her up the next day with all new oil in her and she purred like a kitten. For about 15 minutes and then started making that clunking noise again. Sound to me like a rod bearing but then again I was too stupid to know the what the weird smoke I saw meant too. I am just too inexperienced in diesels but I am learning my lessons by the hard knock method literally.
DeleteUnless you scored the crank badly, you can likely have it turned and get bearings for undersized journals.
ReplyDeleteI would suspect that you only scored the bearings, and can likely get by just replacing those (no difference that a gas engine, really)...you don't need to know much about diesel injection systems to rebuild an old diesel motor. Heads are the same valves are the same, cranks bearings and pistons and rods and camshafts are the same or very similar....Only timing of the injection pump can be an issue.
Manual here:http://www.yesterdaystractors.com/55FTSM_6299.htm
B - Yep the over-sized bearings are available and that is the plan but the 3K quote included a new crank etc. You know how these places are no matter how accurately you describe the damage they always say they won't know for sure until they open her up and look which I can understand.
DeleteGood to know about the injectors and the pump thing. I am still awaiting my Brother and Nephew's final analysis on if we can do it ourselves. Mostly if we have a place to do it really.
Thanks for the link I love that site!!!!
Oh dear, the age old dilemma of time versus money. Dan would have to agree about older vehicles, also about the headaches of repairs.
ReplyDeleteI had a timing gear come apart on my 841(gas) and decided to to the uverhaul since we had to take the crank and cam shaft out. Never done this for of thing before, but bought the manual and dove in.
ReplyDeleteOverhaul went fine, used same pistons, rpds, valves. Just honed the cylinders, ground the valves and seats & put it back together.
Lessons learned:
1. The manual is good, but assumes you have knowledge about some things. A little vague on some details.
2. Take pictures as you go. Helps if you can see how things were when you go to put the pile of parts on the work table back together.
3. Yesterday's tractor.com forum is a gold mine of folks who have "done it" and are happy to help with advice and I struction.
4. Even though they send a rope and neoprene rear main seal, and there are two channels at the rear seal location, you use either rope or rubber. If you put the rope in the inner channel you block the oil return challenge and it pumps oil out at about 4 qts. An hour.... Thus the recommendation to take pictures as you go.
Overhaul took about 22 hours. Would be faster on the next one. These engines are really simple.
PP,
ReplyDeleteRepairing a tractor or older vehicle in order to function is so much better than having a constant payment for a newer version.