1947 JD 'A' engine removal question

We are in the process of removing the engine (it's stuck!) and have run into a snag. We have Yost's Resto manual in our hands, and a service and parts manual on the way. We have removed the steering shaft, hood, radiator, cooling fan 'pto' shaft assembly, and other small items. We have the valve cover & rocker assembly off, the pushrods removed, and the rod bearing caps off. Everything has went amazingly smooth (well.... after a couple frustrating moments with ez-outs anyway.). Now we've run into our first dilemma. It appears the head will slide off once the head nuts are removed. I assume the block will follow (?). My question: It doesn't appear that the head or block will come out from between the frame rails either up or down. I thought the block could be removed without splitting the frame. Will the head and block turn in some direction after sliding off the bolts to allow it to slip past the frame? Or am I overlooking something? The service manual is still a week away, and I want to get the free-up process started asap. Can someone help? Thanks!

{On the block, there is an oil pipe that is hooked to it that I seem to remember you will need to remove before it can move forward. That might not be the case, but you'll be in there taking off the rod caps so you can check then. }

DId I understand correct; If I don't mess with the governor I can reinstall the fanshaft without worrying about backlash and contact pattern?

Yes and no. If you remove the fanshaft, and the shims in it were right so that the heal and lash were good at this time, then yes, you can carefully retain the shims and reintall. However, my bet is that if you are looking at an old beast in need of this level of work that the fanshaft bevel gear mesh has not been atteneded to for some time, so you are probably looking at checking and resetting. This is most easily done on the bench, but the nice thing about letting the governor on the tractor for now is: you've got other things on your plate, the governor comes off easily, once the engine is turning you can rotate the flywheel to set and mark everything so that it is easy to reinstall. If you are thinking about removing the governor, and you are going out the top with the block and head, then you can let the radiator where it is and take the governor off, but again, it is easier when the crank and cam shaft will turn. My $.02

Frank

The manifold can stay in place. Just remove the carbnuretor and exhaust pipe.

Removing the fanshaft is a must for block removal, but you do not have to remove the governor, and unless you have a reason to, I would not. Just loosen the radiator a bit and slide it forward, and that will gain you enough space to slide the fanshaft forward to clear the bevel gear on its end. If you need to remove the governor later then you can remarry those two units and set the gear heel and lash (IMPORTANT!). There is quite a bit written on this in the searchable archives here.

On the block, there is an oil pipe that is hooked to it that I seem to remember you will need to remove before it can move forward. That might not be the case, but you'll be in there taking off the rod caps so you can check then. The block will slide forward a bit and it will lift out the top. You might need an engine hoist as it is probably more than you want to lift, though we used manpower alone several times. A hoist is really handy in case you have to leave the pistons and connecting rods in the block as you may on one that is stuck. You have a much better chance of saving parts of you can operate on the stuck pistons with the block out of the frame.

Frank

Getting started off on the right foot so far as the governor & fan shaft is concerned can bring you some peace! TIPS: As you continue to take the beast apart, bag & tag any special-looking parts with some notes. A digital camera will prove to be a worthwhile investment too. When you buy your tech manual, you will be seeking the JD-4 I&T Shop Service Manual by PRIMEDIA. Deere didn't publish a service manual for your tractor. (PatB)

• Restoration Site, JD-H

If your block is unuseable, I have a block for a '47-'49 with a fresh +.125 overbore that I would like to get rid of.