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1954 Ford 850 Tractor w/blown Head Gasket (at the very least)

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mattinker:

--- Quote from: awemawson on May 27, 2014, 10:50:32 AM ---Well you learn something every day !

Never come across that set up before, and I've pulled the odd engine apart in my time  :scratch:

--- End quote ---

Me too!

Regards, Matthew

awemawson:
Interestingly, googling this for a bit of online research I find that one technique to promote valve rotation is to offset the rocker slightly from the centre of the valve, like your #1 was. Also I find that it's not a technique now recommended especially for diesels.

vtsteam:
Well I've never seen it before either! But figured I'd better follow the manual. Anyway it's done.

Well if we're going to try to start this thing some time soon I needed to go shopping for uhhh..groceries:

vtsteam:
So the first real project of the day was to drain the oil. That proved a real bear! I could not get a wrench to turn the oil drain plug.  You know how it is, lying on the dirt under the tractor, trying to stay far enough away that an accidental oil gusher misses your face, trying first an open end wrench -- no size seems to fit, or turn the plug, everything is too large or too small. Then trot up to the house to get a pipe wrench, since this seems like it must have been a square plug at one time, now rounded over. That doesn't work (a first -- it will even turn pipe, how can it not grip this plug?) then vise grips. They clamp, then slip.

Doggone it! How do I get this off. Then I notice chisel marks along the rim of this weird plug. Oh so that's it! Bang it round with a chisel.

So I dig around in the shop and return with a cold chisel and a hammer and start banging. Not easy hammering in that position, and I hit my wrist a good one at one point. Eventually the plug begins to budge but takes three more hits to really come loose.

Once it's out I can see the problem, It's just a soft cast iron plumbing drain plug with a rubber washer, and all of the square corners worn off -- it's huge by today's standards -- 3" across:

vtsteam:
Well I don't want to put that back in and have to rely on a chisel to drain the oil in future. I briefly consider milling the sides straight again, but realize the square plug is cast hollow, and there isn't enough meat to mill off the rounded corners.

So I decide to fill in the corners with new weld metal. It's a small piece and I think I can get away with using 7018 rod to build it up, without cracking. So I clean it in MEK first and use the grinder to get to clean metal preparatory to welding:

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