Oil and gas...

Hey, I just changed the oil in my '44 "A" after fixing a flat. (Re: Farmall Upkeep, the ongoing saga.)

When I opened the drain valve at the bottom of the crankcase, I could smell gasoline. Is there any other reasonable explanation for the mixing of gas into the oil pan other than some goofball at some point in time (not me this time) accidentally poured gas into the oil filler tube by mistake?

I can posit a cracked head or block against the cylinder walls or valves. Oil is more viscous than gasoline and so gas might migrate through a crack where oil doesn't do so well. I can check the plugs for oil, too. I can also do a compression test. I was just wondering if anyone else has come across this smell when it was other than someone accidentally pouring fuel into the oil filler tube?

As always, I await your sage input. I am a row of ripe corn.

CSD

Check that little guy for running rich. Sticking choke, etc.

Raw fuel in the oil is not an uncommon occurance, but needs to be repaired to keep from diluting the oil and washing the cylinders. Causes undue wear, don't ya know.

Allan

Now that I can get the tractor to run for more than a few minutes at a time and also carry a load, it is overheating. Coolant looks good, so I am pretty sure there is a blockage somewhere. Hard to imagine a '44 Farmall's radiator fluid to look new after over 2 years sitting idle and no telling how long before I got it before that.

CSD

Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on the gassy oil thing. I think you're right; it was probably residual from the prior repair.

I wish I could contribute to your heating problem, but I'm not familiar with that engine.

There are a lot of these fellas that own the same machine as you and perhaps they'll jump in here and give you a tip or two.

Hope ya get 'er goin'

Allan

The radiator is no big deal. I have a fair amount of experience with liquid circulating cooling systems, whether they are on a vehicle, a generator (power) or a pricey piece of semiconductor processing machinery.

I used to work for both Intel and AMD maintaining the machinery used to make computer chips. Everybody outside the industry thought it was glamorous and that I must know a lot about high tech stuff. I usually answered that I use low tech tools on medium tech equipment to produce high tech items of which I know very little.

I like working on the tractor. I like driving it across the fields even more. I'll nip this radiator thing with no real hassles, because if I run into trouble, I do have the combined experience of many others out there who know that assisting a fellow tractor operator is as gratifying as fixing it yourself.

Thanks ever body,

CSD