Garage Hangout

I could easily spend the best part of a day at an event like this! There's something special about the mix of
mechanical art and the personal stories behind each build. You can go from admiring a pristine vintage restoration to geeking out over a custom engine swap, all within the same show...

Once I removed the PTO end bearing cap. The crank turned freely along with the pistons and valve movements. The lower side of crank shaft journal is to size 1.999 to 2.000 diameter. The outer end picked up some babbitt off the bearing. That I should be able to polish off.


I'd say the bearing is toast and needs replaced. If bearings weren't readily available, as some of my antique cars. I would re-babbit the shell then machine... However the cost of a replacement doesn't justify...


While I was ad it I removed the connecting rod end caps.. That looked new as the crank journals.





I have to wonder why the bearing was damaged. My inclination then was to look for the root of the problem... Removed the flywheel and cam gear cover. Once again it was clean as a whistle!




I noticed a small section of the gasket protruding between the halves of the pump flanges. Now why would that happen after 30 years? Removed and examined the oil pump components. No noticeable wear. The small gear key was intact. Could the missing section of the gasket cause loss of oil flow?  Since the damaged bearing was the farthermost from the pump...




In any event it was good thing that I didn't continue operating the tractor. Rather delving into the issue. I have the main bearing and all the gaskets on order. With any luck the old gal will be up and running i a week... 

Quote from: Uncle Buck on Mar 11, 2026, 03:58 PMWow, super clean!

Quote from: Muddy on Mar 12, 2026, 05:04 PMThose were good tractors. Looks like your uncle maintained it well.

I'm amazed that this 35 year old tractor engine is so clean too. The type of oil and frequency of oil changes was the secret. Most of the engines that I rebuilt are 75 years old or older before detergent oil was introduced. It was common to see sludge buildup throughout the engine. So thick a putty knife was needed to move it.

Really cool pics, thanks for sharing.

Those were good tractors. Looks like your uncle maintained it well.

Wow, super clean!

Having the 3118 on my lift made it easier to reach both the top and bottom side. Started by removing the oil exchange cooler. Then removing wires. Cables, starter, etc. I needed the remove the mowing deck to reach some bolts on the underside. A nylon strap and my bridge crane facilitated removing the engine. The set it on my elevated table, drained the oil, and started the tear down.


Setting the engine on my lift table. Letting the oil drain..


Removing the oil pan and see what's inside.. Looking GOOD so far..

 




Using good quality oil and frequent oil changes pays off! Even the oil is clean....


After half a day, it was time for dinner and relax. Another day I'll dive into removing the fan shroud and disassembly.

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Local vintage machinery club had it's annual crank up day yesterday.

Quote from: skfarmer on Mar 07, 2026, 07:47 AMi see it more as an added feature. i don't hate it and it doesnt alter the usefulnes of any other feature so why not?

i have on many occasions used the extension slid into the handle to get the ratchet closer to the work. especially as a guide to hold bits straight on initial breaking free or final tightening.

i have a tractor that has 2 transmission sensors that are notoriously hard to get at. one under each side of the cab. you can see them plain as day, but they are arm deep under there and they were a cuss fest the first time i changed one, years ago before the advent of these pass-through t handle ratchets. it made a real sob of a job easy peasy

I have done that too.
The T position is useful in some cases on some of them, just not the stubbiest version and only truly useful on the longest version unless you had 2 extensions.