Picked up a John Deere BO at auction

[cjet69]

After trying the sonic cleaner, heat cycles, soaking for days in ATF/Acetone, and even tried Electrolysis without any luck moving the rings. Took a punch at the ring gap and started tapping. Once I got the first chunk out it went pretty quick but as tight as they were there wasn't much chance in saving them. Now I can clean the pistons up and start cleaning the block.

 

[ricky racer]

You weren't panning on reusing them were you?

 

[cjet69]

You weren't panning on reusing them were you?

Maybe I can try welding them back together.

 

[cjet69]

have the block in the Electrolysis tank to loosen up any rust. I'll take it out this afternoon and see how it did.

 

[cjet69]

Pulled the block out of the E-tank and hosed it off. Got a lot of rusty chunks out of the water jacket. I need to set up my little hot tank now and boil the remaining greasy oil off of it. Once I get it really clean I will check it over for any cracks. I think it will be fine but you never know.

 

[dreece]

You are not wasting any time!! It all looks good so far. I had a 1941 B, if i remember correctly in 41 factory options were electric lights and starter.

 

[cjet69]

While moving some of the BO parts I picked up the starter and thought I should see if it works. It was hard to turn the armature so I oiled it up. It started turning easier. Used a battery and jumper cables and only got a spark but no spinning over. Pulled the brush cover off and was surprised how good it looked inside with a shiny commutator. Some of the brushes seemed a little stiff at the pivot points so I gave them a drop of light oil. Hooked the battery back up and it turns over. I will still pull it apart to clean and check brush wear.

 

[dreece]

While moving some of the BO parts I picked up the starter and thought I should see if it works. It was hard to turn the armature so I oiled it up. It started turning easier. Used a battery and jumper cables and only got a spark but no spinning over. Pulled the brush cover off and was surprised how good it looked inside with a shiny commutator. Some of the brushes seemed a little stiff at the pivot points so I gave them a drop of light oil. Hooked the battery back up and it turns over. I will still pull it apart to clean and check brush wear.

I have found this stuff to work extremely well on just about everything I can use it on. I used it for my starter and it spins free beautifully.

 

[cjet69]

Back in post #34 I mentioned that I stole the set of piston rings from another B project tractor. I had been looking for a replacement set for the other project and finally found a good priced set. Steiner had them for $99.99 + 8.79 tax with 13.99 shipping which was one of the lowest prices. Then I found the last in stock set that Rock Auto had for $60.79 + 8.79 tax and 9.99 shipping. I ordered from Rock Auto and they arrived today. Now I have a set for the other B tractor I stole these from just in case I get around to putting it together.

 

[cjet69]

Dad had pulled the valves out of the cylinder head about 2.5 years ago. I've been looking for all of the parts for a couple months now and only came up with the old valves 2 days ago but no locks, keepers, or springs. The valves are in poor condition. This head was off of the tractor when we got it was rusted to an old piece of indoor/outdoor carpet. I don't know if that is why the valves look so bad but one intake is rusted completely through the head. I bought a used set of keepers and locks and will be ordering the valves, springs, and possibly the guides depending on how they measure up. The second to last pic you can see the light coming through the valve head.

 

[DJ54]

Wow, never seen a valve rusted through like that before. Almost guarantee once you get all your parts ordered, you'll find the others. Usually when you're looking for something else, open a coffee can or a plastic tub with a lid on it, and there they will be. Seems to be the luck I have around here...

 

[ricky racer]

Wow! I agree, I've never seen valves rusted that bad! How do the seats look?

 

[cjet69]

Wow! I agree, I've never seen valves rusted that bad! How do the seats look?

I think it was caused from sitting on that piece of carpet that had gotten wet or had something on it like salt. Seats look like they will clean up just fine but if I need to I will get hardened seats installed.

 

[D.H. Kundert]

Great progress! Looking good!

 

[SONNY]

Depending on how much you plan on using it ---- might pay to get the hard seats put in it, --- originals werent designed for todays fake gas.

 

[cjet69]

Depending on how much you plan on using it ---- might pay to get the hard seats put in it, --- originals werent designed for todays fake gas.

I'll see how the seats clean up and go from there. If they look OK after I touch them up I may just run them. The low spring pressures aren't as harsh on the seats as what a car engine is.

 

[cjet69]

The head on this tractor had a rust pit right where the head gasket seals the cylinder. Worked up my courage and welded the pit in on the BO cylinder head. Used the acetylene torch to do a mild preheat just enough to dry out the casting. Used the wire feed with wire that says no preheat necessary. I would weld a spot and peen then repeat. Never heard the dreaded tink and a crack forms. Thats the nice thing with this is it wasn't cracked just a pit. Ground it down close and its ready to mill. I need to set the head gasket on and see if I need to hit any more spots. As long as the gasket sealing surface around the edge of the bore I should be good.

 

[cjet69]

Set the head gasket on and you can see where this pit was right where the sealing takes place.

 

[Barebones]

Pretty good trick! Such a worthwhile project. How sweet it will be knowing what you've put into it.

 

[ricky racer]

You're a brave man! I would have been afraid to weld it myself. I probably would have had the head milled down enough to clean it up. Preheating and peening it was the correct process so it's obvious you know what you're doing. I enjoy looking over your shoulder while you work on the BO so thanks for allowing us to do that!