Farmall A woes...

Posted by FM on February 02, 2003 at 12:31:45 from (64.186.199.28):

Farmallers,

I hope you can help me out. A couple years ago, my 1940 A started leaking oil into the coolant. I would have never known, except when I went to drain it for winter, about a 1/2 pint of really ugly grease like crap came out ahead of the water. There had been some yellowish stuff on top(under the radiator cap) but my uncle looked at it and said it was ok. Soo... anyway.... I let her set a good two months and then opened the oil drain plug. No water was found, so I just keep running it as I needed it. Now, 2 years later, I finally got around to tearing it apart and trying to figure out what was wrong with it. I was thinking(hoping?) bad headgasket. I got the head off today, and the gasket looks fine... no rips, chunks missing, creases, folds, NOTHING. So, that brings up my question---What does a blown head gasket look like? What else could it be? I looked at both the block and head mating surfaces and don't see cracks in either. I looked at each pretty darn close. Any ideas where that oil was coming from, if not from the head gasket?

On a second topic, the plugs were all covered in a whitish/yellowish substance similar to carbon, except for the color. When I took the head off, the #1 and #4 pistons also have this stuff on the top of them. #2 and #3 have a light coating of carbon. What is this yellow stuff??

On a third topic, I think this engine was either rebuilt sometime recently or was never used much. The ridge at the top of the liner can hardly be felt with the fingernail test, and the head gasket was Fel-pro. I imagine when it was new they used IH gaskets?? Anyway. I was going to put rings into it(it uses oil and smokes blue), but I don't think I will, based on the above info. Could sitting for a long time w/o being used cause heavy oil consumption through the valve seals? This tractor has been in the family since about 1955-1960 and no one ever remembers really using it except in the garden. I know it sat for at least 10 years before I got it.

Sorry for being so long winded, but ANY help on my problems is appreciated.
Mike

Follow Ups:

• Re: Farmall A woes... Gary 20:31:22 02/02/03 (1)
  • Re: Re: Farmall A woes... big fred 12:56:14 02/03/03 (0)

Post A Followup Name: E-Mail: Subject: Re: Farmall A woes... Comments: Optional Link URL: Link Title: Optional Image URL: Email Notification: If you check this box, email will be sent to you whenever someone replies to this message. Your email address must be entered above to receive notification. This notification will be cancelled automatically after 2 weeks.

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]