The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

Hi, next job on the E27N is to fix the engine knock.

This knock can be heard mainly at idle speed. I can make the sound of the knock totally disappear by retarding the timing.

What would be the best way to tackle this job? Should I pull the cylinder head off first to see if it has carbon build up or drop the sump and check the bearings?

I know it's hard to comment without actually hearing the knock but all advise it much appreciated. This tractor being the first thing I have ever attempted to restore it's a huge learning experience for myself. But hey we're all gotta start somewhere.

Thanks guys
Chris

hi knocks can be funny if its timing related it may be just that. there all a bit diffrent depending on health my county wasent real happy any where and had soft compression on 1 and 4 did the valves and now when idiling around is happy at advance but when working it wants to be just off the stopper .a lot of imfo in oners hand book about clearnces and noises such as a tapping can be cam shaft end float BUt the most commen is a loose front pully and that goes away when you rev up commen to tap a set screw at righy angles to the drive pin had a bloke come to me the other day with a freshly rebuilt motor that had a hell of a nock on first start up realy upset new to fordsons was only pully another thing is oil want good old style thick oil not morden thin detergant had a couple that change the oil dont forget fillter rattles gone b

Well think I may have found the knock. There conrod on number one had a lot of play on the gudgeon pin. Also found stamped on top of the pistons '050' so I guessing the fordson's been bored at some stage.
The other motor I have with the broken crankshaft has been sleeved but still has original fordson pistons in it. So it's been a pretty interesting experience pulling down the motor for a novice.
One question, there seems to be a considerable amount of 'end float' on the the conrods and journals, about 2mm or so, The other motor has very little, would this end float also create a knock in the motor? Either way it doesn't really matter as It getting new mains.
Looking forward to getting it back together, hope the knock's gone
Chris

Hello Chris,

Taking the engine apart is the easiest job you can think of. Any other type of engine available is of more complex design I think. Problem is that ALL parts are extremely heave. So you should take good care on safety shoes, lifting equiptment, etc.

End float is in the design of the engine and is not a real problem. There is some information about that available somewhere, saying what is allowed. Nocking usually comes from small end, big ends and main bearing. Try lifting the crankshaft with a large bar, and you might get surprised.

If you are lucky, big ends and mains still have some shims you can take away. Make sure to make the engine not to tight. You won't like it when swinging it too run.

Hope you don't need to recast and drill bearings, that is a lot of work and it will set you back one or two more euros as expected.

Best regards
Emiel