New Toy, What to do?

Steven B · Post by **Steven B** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 8:35 am

Well the Dexta is well underway and I have been thinking of a new toy. All this talk of 590E engines had me going. I have 7 diesels in total but most have been allocated to trucks, Have 3 spare plus 4 petrols,

So I have been on the lookout for a Power Major or Super Major with a blown engine for a conversion. Picked up a very nice April 62 Super Live Drive. The owner had an accident and failed to install the oil filter correctly, ran her out of oil and she now knocks.

Pics to follow.

Should I

1 Carry on and put in a 590E?
2 Rebuild the original engine, full monty
3 Whip out the crank, replace it with a good second hand one thats in the shed and just get it going.

Should I paint it or leave it. It appears to be original. Its a central NSW tractor, NO rust.

Oh, and for the truck enthusiasts thats a D series, 13 ton gross, 380 CID (6.2 litre) 8 speed. 1200km round trip, never missed a beat.

Steve

Steven B · Post by **Steven B** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 8:38 am

Kiwi Kev · Post by **Kiwi Kev** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 12:13 pm

Steven
Almost seems too good to repower.
I'd be going with the recranking and keep as original as possible.
You know where to find the good ones don't you.
Nice truck also.
Kiwi Kev

BearCreek Majors · Post by **BearCreek Majors** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 1:17 pm

Hi Steve, that’s not a bad looking tractor, almost seem too good to not fix it up as is. Regardless it’s your decision to do what you want with it, and when you done I’m thinking you should pack up one or two of those 590E engines and ship em over here to me!

I have found one in the Eastern US and one out in the planes, the asking price on either one of them is $4,000.00!!!! It kinda makes my sphincter pucker a little.

Pat

Steven B · Post by **Steven B** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 1:40 pm

Kev, Pat

You are both confirming what my head is telling me to do. I wasn't intending to cut her up. I was going to buy in two bonnets (hoods), four side rails and three sumps to do the conversion and put all the original stuff to one side.

But this tractor is unmolested. I bought it sight unseen and my eyes popped when I saw it. Also, I know the son of the guy that owned that dealership that sold it when new. They where the classic Ford Cars, Trucks and Tractor dealers all in one. How I miss them. Now it's New Holland.

I may just drop the sump and have a butchers hook ("look" for those who do not understand rhyming slang) at the big ends.

Pat, I cannot believe 4 grand for a 590E. Tell em they can have mine for 3 grand each

Thats a grand profit.

Kev, the truck is great, only one fault, it has the acoustic properties of a Lancaster Bomber.

The engine is a 2715E and it would also be great in a Major.

Post by **Brian** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 7:38 pm

Think I will re-power Dotty with one of those 6 cylinder petrols.

What chance have I got of getting it into hand luggage for the trip back next year?

Wonder if I could persuade them to hang it under the wing, after all they have four bigger lumps hanging there already, a 6 cylinder petrol on either side will balance things up nicely!!

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Mon Aug 30, 2010 4:22 am

It does seem too nice to alter, especially if you already have a good crankshaft for it. It seems to be a very complete beauty! Good luck!

JC · Post by JC » Mon Aug 30, 2010 6:57 am

Steve,
When I read your first post, I thought, "He's already got a really nice Super, so this one would make a good candidate for a conversion". Then I saw the pictures. If that's the original paint, and its in as good of shape as it looks in the pictures, I think you should fix the engine and leave the rest of it alone.

Steven B · Post by **Steven B** » Mon Aug 30, 2010 9:54 am

JC wrote:Steve,
When I read your first post, I thought, "He's already got a really nice Super, so this one would make a good candidate for a conversion". Then I saw the pictures. If that's the original paint, and its in as good of shape as it looks in the pictures, I think you should fix the engine and leave the rest of it alone.

It does appear to be original paint. It looks like I am not going to get my 100hp tractor.

I am going to drop the pan tonight after dinner and assess the damage.

I am even loath to paint it. Just have to see what it looks like after repair. If it turns out a patchwork quilt then I will make a decision then.

What a dilema to find oneself in

henk · Post by **henk** » Mon Aug 30, 2010 10:03 am

Steven,

Nice catch. Fix the engine and keep her as she is.

Steven B · Post by **Steven B** » Mon Aug 30, 2010 1:09 pm

Ok

Had dinner then out to the shed and pulled the sump off. I feel its the first time its seen daylight in there since 1962 (I was 9 months old

)

Verdict.

Only needed to pull one big end. No 4 was rattling as I turned the motor. The bearing has seized on the crank and spun in the rod before breaking up somewhat.

I will pull the other rods tomorrow and see what size the crank is. May be able to save it. No big deal if I can't but it would be nice to put it back together with its original crank.

At this stage for the cost of a kit I think I might go and put pistons sleeves etc. By the time I buy a gasket set, big ends, mains and rings I will feel like I am wasting my money doing half a job for two thirds the price.

I won't buy any parts until a full tear down and assessment has taken place.

Steve

Kiwi Kev · Post by **Kiwi Kev** » Mon Aug 30, 2010 1:59 pm

Steven B wrote:
At this stage for the cost of a kit I think I might go and put pistons sleeves etc. By the time I buy a gasket set, big ends, mains and rings I will feel like I am wasting my money doing half a job for two thirds the price.

Steve

You might aswell while it's in peices. If it's never been opened up before, and is 48 years young, has surely earned a rebuild.
Do it now, you wont have to do it again later.
Kiwi Kev

essex pete · Post by **essex pete** » Mon Aug 30, 2010 11:38 pm

Another vote for repair and keep original. You are so lucky there not to have all the rust and corrosion we get here in the UK particularly if coastal. The D series looks in amazing nick, they have albut disapeared of the UK roads although they held together better than the cargos with rust.
Interesting the different specs you have over there. The massive wheels on the Major (by Major standards) and the verticle exhaust on the D. I assume the latter is due to fire hazzards??

Steven B · Post by **Steven B** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 12:54 pm

essex pete wrote:Another vote for repair and keep original. You are so lucky there not to have all the rust and corrosion we get here in the UK particularly if coastal. The D series looks in amazing nick, they have albut disapeared of the UK roads although they held together better than the cargos with rust.
Interesting the different specs you have over there. The massive wheels on the Major (by Major standards) and the verticle exhaust on the D. I assume the latter is due to fire hazzards??

Thanks Pete for the vote. After tonight there is no way I can mod this tractor.

The D is is good order but needs a little TLC. I have had it for 8 years and when you own Fordsons it's a must for taking them to shows, not that I have had the time in the last 3 years. I can fit two tractors on it or one with a plough. The vertical exhaust became the norm in the 70s and I know on a farm you do not want one that points down.

Those wheels on the Major are big, no good for ploughing. I may have to swap them as this baby is going to get a Ransomes with4 YLs and those wheels are to big for a 10inch furrow.

Anyway. Pulled the head tonight and piston 1 and 4.

I can confirm the engine has never been touched. The big end had on it the following:

EnFo
E1ADDN 6211 L
STD.

The original bearings.

All bolts and brackets are as per factory. Its a time warp.

I am sooooo chuffed

The D Series with my other tractor.

Ford Set by teelawn, on Flickr