Hey-oh!Thanks one and all for the good and solid advice about the tractor named Betty. Update: I pulled the Head yesterday (forgot to use the square) and checked for damage. None found. No tools inside, no missing parts. Still not cranking. Seeing as how it was mentioned that hooking up the van to the tractor and pulling it in gear to "break loose" the suspected rust freezing of the crankshaft was a BAD IDEA, I opted for dropping the oil pan and getting a good look under the skirt so to speak. There was nothing visually wrong with the system there. However, as I drained the oil a good pint of clear water came through the oil drain before oil started coming out. As it was clear, it couldn't have been from the radiator/engine block because I'm using a water green glycol mix. I supposed in the first post that I might have gotten water in there when it rained on the tractor during a storm and I didn't have a good sealing between the block and the head. So... I took out my breaker bar, placed it squarely on the flats below the piston rods and tapped smartly with a 2 pound hand sledge. I repeated this process with each of the cylinders and then activated the starter with a quick on off series of pushes. The cylinders jiggled, but didn't really go anywhere. I repeated this process three more times. On the last time *(4th total) the pistons started moving smooth as you please and the tractor cranked beautifully! (just a note for any others out there that cannot garage or really cover your tractors when working on them -- find a way to do so!) I replaced the head and torqued it down to 65ft Pounds. Compression was from back to front:
80psi, 65psi, 60psi and 45psi. I don't think that's good enough for combustion. I have yet to install plugs and give it a go. Question: Should I retorque to 80ft Pounds as I now have a new gasket that requires both torqueing and a sealing compound versus the original metal to metal seal and torqueing? Thanks again for all your help and assistance. I shall soon post a picture or two of the lovely lady you have all helped to keep running. regards to all,
dunniteowl
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