Picked up a John Deere BO at auction

[cjet69]

On my Cub, I Heli-Coiled every head bolt hole. I was amazed at the small amount of thread engagement each bolt hole actually had. With the seemingly small amount of thread engagement and the fact that the threads were in cast iron, I was worried (knowing my luck) I'd strip the threads in the block. I figured the Heli-Coils would be less prone to stripping out than the cast iron block. I never had one leak and never stripped any holes out.

My concern was the sealing. The head was pretty thick at this point so I used a 7/16 x .870 insert that made it just shy of the bottom. Used loctite on it as insurance.

 

[dreece]

On my Cub, I Heli-Coiled every head bolt hole. I was amazed at the small amount of thread engagement each bolt hole actually had. With the seemingly small amount of thread engagement and the fact that the threads were in cast iron, I was worried (knowing my luck) I'd strip the threads in the block. I figured the Heli-Coils would be less prone to stripping out than the cast iron block. I never had one leak and never stripped any holes

Heli-Coils have always worked really well for me. Even in softer materials, cast and aluminum.

 

[cjet69]

Cleaned off the front of the crankcase and sprayed it with some quick drying oil resistant paint. Cleaned up the block, head, pistons, rods, and rocker assy. I'll look things over to see what I missed and then start assembly.

 

[cjet69]

Managed to do a little more clean up on the pistons before I shut the shop down. Did a light wire brushing and followed that by putting them in the lathe and hitting them with a scotch-brite pad. Took care of the rest of the carbon and light rust.

 

[ricky racer]

Wow! They look like new!!

 

[ricky racer]

Don't forget the lead washers....

 

[cjet69]

Don't forget the lead washers....

The gasket set I bought had them in it.

 

[cjet69]

Only got the breather and oiler tubes cleaned and primed. Had lawn and weed spraying duty today.

 

[Barebones]

More progress, nonetheless. Getting closer step by step. Exciting stuff!

 

[cjet69]

Resurfaced the rockers.

 

[ricky racer]

Good for another 100,000 miles!

 

[cjet69]

Did a little cleanup picking up tools and sweeping the floor. That made it so I could get the front axle and casting under the bridge crane. Pulled the pivot pin in the axle and removed the casting. The front eye bolt that these tractors have was broken off so I drilled a 3/8 hole, heated it a couple of times, and drove a allen socket into it to act as an easy out. That was enough to get the broken stub backed out. The plan is to sand blast the casting and paint so I won't need to pull this apart again. The pivot pin is worn badly so I will repair or make a new one. The axle pivot hole has some wear but not to bad so I may just run that as it is.

 

[cjet69]

Got set up and sandblasted the front casting. I'll move it to the paint booth, treat it with Ospho, and get some epoxy sprayed on it.

 

[dreece]

When you finish the BO it's going to be better than new!

 

[cjet69]

When you finish the BO it's going to be better than new!

My intent was to do as little as possible to get it running but once its apart I hate to bolt rusty dirty parts back on. The engine and this front cast are all thats getting paint for now.

 

[cjet69]

Shot the epoxy primer.

 

[dreece]

My intent was to do as little as possible to get it running but once its apart I hate to bolt rusty dirty parts back on. The engine and this front cast are all thats getting paint for now.

Once you start it is hard to find a stopping point.

 

[cjet69]

Sprayed some green on the front casting and hit the block where the nut bolt it down. Sprayed a little on the front of the crankcase and painted my nuts, but I won't show pics of that.

 

[cjet69]

Used some Plastigage and checked the rod bearing clearance. Looks like it should work at .002/.003. These have .003 shims so if I add one it will be on the loose side.

 

[ricky racer]

.003" looks good to me! If you pick up on the flywheel/clutch, do you notice any play in the mains? You can put an indicator on each to measure that play.