[AT] Pearl and other tractor updates

[John Hall]

As far as I know you can still get replacement fuel tanks and oil pans 
for the Deere E engines---may want to verify before you proceed. Search 
for Mitch Malcom/Lightning Magneto (going by memory here). I think MOST 
of them rusted through, I know mine were--but this was close to 30 years 
ago when I worked on mine. I think you have to orient the oil pan, seems 
there is a cup to hold oil for the governor? Hey Dave, if you are 
reading maybe you can provide more info.

John Hall


On 9/10/2017 8:54 AM, Henry Miller wrote:
> Yesterday was busy, though not as productive as I hoped.
>
> First order of business was the tire on my hay rack, the steel belts are
> showing, so even though it somehow holds air it needs to be replaced. I
> don't have a socket or tire iron big enough so off to town.  While there
> I stopped by deere for a new fuel strainer gasket. $5, would be a buck
> online, but $10 shipping and handling. Once I explained that it wasn't
> the sediment bowl, but the carburetor end they got it.
>
> Back home I got the tire off, but half the studs stayed in the lug nuts.
> This was not planned for. I put some penetrating oil on and I'll let
> that work for a while before trying to remove them.
>
> The closest I got to driving a tractor was next, my wife was weeding and
> needed my help to move the result. After a couple wheelbarrow loads I
> got out the uv4. The dump box is a lot easier to use than an unstable
> wheelbarrow. I let my son do the driving on my lap. We took the most
> convoluted route possible but there was no hurry.
>
> Next off to the pearl tractor. The gas tank was so varnished that fuel
> wasn't reaching the fuel lines. So over the last few weeks I removed the
> tank, cleaned it, and put in a tank liner kit. Also I cleaned the fuel
> sentiment bowl and replaced the fuel filter. Put it back on, a little
> fuel, which promptly leaked out the bowl, right through the new gasket.
>
> While checking the pearl I noticed that the differential has no oil so I
> filled that. The new oil promptly leaked out the end of the axel. Wheel
> off, and there is a chain (gear reduction) from the end of the axel to
> the wheel. Chain is easy to remove, but the sprocket is not, no room for
> my gear puller. I might need to get a two jaw one, or perhaps something
> else. I'll think about my options for a bit.
>
> Last to the deere model. This has a 1.5 horse model E hit n miss engine,
> and the fuel tank feels like a quarter inch of sand in the bottom
> through the tank drain. I figure it is best to remove the fuel tank and
> clean it good. I can't get sockets in with the engine on.  Un bolt the
> engine, remove the radiator. Now I'm stuck. The fuel tank sticks out
> underneath several inches, it was designed to sit on skids (a cart).
> There isn't a good place to lift, and it is heavy, and I'm not sure how
> I will set it down once I get it moved.
>
> By then it was bed time. I have a lot to think about before I go on.
>