[AJD] Mike's B - crankcase

[Duane Larson]

Mike,
Well, I'm of the school that removes the crankcase cover, drains whatever
comes out and after setting for a couple of days with the plug removed, roll
up my sleeves, take a good light and see what is left in there.  Then,
either reach down in and scrape the muck up with my hands and push it out
the drain hole, or lift it out and dispose of it. A paint scraper is useful.
Finally you will get all you can get out (don't forget to reach back around
the oil filter case, etc.), then I have a sprayer attachment that holds
about a quart of diesel fuel - hook to my air compressor, and spray around
in there, letting the sludge drain out the hole.  Keep this up, waiting a
day or so to see what is left, and finally you will have a reasonably clean
crankcase.  By that time one can generally judge if the oil lines may be
plugged or not - if that may be the case, unhook (carefully) one of the
lines and attach a (homemade)device which allows connection of the
previously mentioned sprayer to the line and pressurize.  If the line is
open diesel will squirt out of the bearing/bushing - if not, then figure out
why not.

This is a bit of messy work, but when I am done I am satisfied the bearings,
bushings, etc. will be oiled as designed by JD.  Anyway, that is how I do
it.  And my hands do clean up, but I have been known to use a pair of
surgeons gloves to minimize the grease/muck on my hands.

A similar process can be used for the transmission - remove the cover and
see what is in there.  Generally it has less contamination because it is not
exposed to combustion products and a good draining/flushing will clean it up
pretty good.  But you will also see if any bearings have been damaged by
sitting in water.....
Good Luck whatever you decide-
Duane Larson

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert M. Massengale" <ltcmikem at ktc.com>
To: "Antique John Deere mailinglist"
<antique-johndeere at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 19, 2004 12:19 PM
Subject: [AJD] Mike's B - crankcase


> As I work toward getting the B ready to start I figured it would be a good
idea to
> change the engine oil.  When I pulled the drain plug I was horrified at
the grey
> colored muck and at least a gallon of water that came out of the
crankcase. Then
> pulled the oil filter and got volumes more of that nasty grey sludge and
more water.
> The mess that came out filled a 5 gal paint bucket to within 4" of the
top.  Nothing
> came out that even resembled oil, in texture or color.  I thought at first
the block or
> head must be cracked, but the water is clear and the water in the radiator
is
> antifreeze green.  Don advised me that it's not unusual for old tractors
to get water
> in the crankcase, so that eased my concern some.  However, I've got to get
that
> stuff out of the crankcase.  I sure can't run the engine with that mess in
there.  I
> picked up five gallons of diesel after church with the intention of
putting that in the
> crankcase and letting it sit/soak.  Then after a day or so rocking the B
forward &
> back to get a sloshing action going to help loosen and break up the sludge
to help it
> drain out.
>
> Would appreciate any guidance the list can offer me on this.  What about
the
> transmission and differential fluids... should I anticipate the same
problem in those
> areas?
>
> Thanks in advance.
> Mike
> Robert M. Massengale
> Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
>
>
>
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