[AT] O/T (maybe) A brand new day

[Mike Sloane]

Cecil E Monson wrote:

>     I was just sitting here enjoying my morning coffee and have
> been thinking about something that comes to mind quite often and
> just thought I'd ask you all.
> 
>     Consider that today is a brand new day that no one has ever
> seen and that it is yours to do with as you please, what are you
> going to do with it?
Well, since you asked, Cecil, I spent my day tearing into the engine of 
the Ford 2N. The first order of business, after removing the hood/grill 
assembly, was removing the front axle, beause as you Ford guys know, the 
cast iron oil pan is part of the tractor's structure, and holds part of 
the front axle. Some mechanics claim that you can just "swing the whole 
front end around", but I don't have the room for that kind of thing. 
Plus, the front end is long overdue for some repairs - the lower kingpin 
bearings are shot, for one thing. So I took all that apart, and the 
radiator has to go also if you are going to do things properly. After 
that was off, and the front axle support bolts fought me the whole way, 
I started on the head. I used a regular socket wrench on the first nut, 
and decided that I am too old for that crap - I got out the air wrench 
and spun the rest of the head nuts off. One stud came out, but I figure 
that isn't too bad. I have to think that head must have been on since it 
left the factory in 1946 - I had a heck of a time getting it to move. 
But it finally came up, and I didn't even pinch my fingers once (for a 
change). Everything has a LOT of carbon on it, but it otherwise looks 
pretty good. The bores are smooth and the piston tops are smooth. But I 
am pooped and need a rest. I will look at the service manual one more 
time tonight and then start on the pan tomorrow. I have a rolling 
transmission jack that I bought for changing Farmall H/M belly pumps, 
and I will use that for lowering the pan. Then I guess it is time to 
start doing the hard part: working on my back to remove the rod caps and 
poking the rods/pistons up. The ridges at the top of the pistons don't 
look bad, but I guess I should find my ridge reamer and knock them back, 
if a quick spin of a scraper won't do it. I know I need new rings, so I 
am not afraid of breaking one, but I would prefer not to dislodge any of 
the liners. See: 
<http://public.fotki.com/mikesloane/1946_ford_2n/2n_engine_overhaul2.html> 
for a progress image.

By the way, I removed the bolt that holds the front axle pin, but it 
doesn't seem like the pin wants to come out. I haven't resorted to 
violence yet, as I am wondering if there is some trick to removing it. 
The axle bushing is pretty well worn, and I would like to replace it.

Mike
> 
> Cecil

-- 
Mike Sloane
Allamuchy NJ
Email: (mikesloane at verizon.net)
Website: <http://www.geocities.com/mikesloane>
Tractor images: <www.fotki.com/mikesloane>
Work: none - retired

Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored. -Aldous Huxley,
novelist (1894-1963)