The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

Starting to rebuild my 1958 power major and got a bit confused with fitting the liners someone said it might want shims i done some homework and it said if your engine is fitted with 9/16 main bearing bolts or engine number 1591023 they cannnot be fitted.

My engine number is 1482926.

Which part of the bolt do I measure, head, shank or threaded section.

I got a engine kit off Agriline and fitted the liners by pressing them in so there was no more than a .04 thou protrude so they are nearly flush.

Do I need to remove the liner and refit without the O-ring to ensure they do not sit low?

Do I need to check any other measurements or just install the kit?

Shimming the liners has nothing to do with the Bearings. As long as you have ample protrusion for the head gasket to seat against, that is all that is neccesary. Dandy Dave!

Dandy Dave wrote:Shimming the liners has nothing to do with the Bearings. As long as you have ample protrusion for the head gasket to seat against, that is all that is neccesary. Dandy Dave!

I think the reference in the manual of 9/16 bolts are for Identifying what year the engine was produced and whether it is required to have shims.

What I was unsure of is whether it is a concern of needing the shims or just put it togther and not worry?

The liners took some pressing in so I did'nt think there would be any worry of them moving with the head pushing down on them.

BUT if they do have room to move then I would like to shim it prior to putting it all together. I just want to get the thing back together as it's all in bits and the weather is now turning here and I do all my work outside

Thanks for your help, let me know what you think.

The liners should be a push fit in with your hand, if they need pressing in something is wrong. I would suspect you have the wrong liners, there are two types one for Majors and Super Majors up to 1963 and one for 1963 onwards. The difference is that the later liners had a seal top and bottom and were slightly thicker. To fit the Major block they have to be forced in and this is not good.

All types have to be shimmed to get the 0.002" to 0.0042 protrution. The liner has to rest on the ledge with shims as needed. The measurements were usually done with the liners inserted with no seals as they slip in and out with no effort like that.

There is no way I would not shim the liners! Especially if they are not fully home and resting on the ledge of the block. The liner will drop and the head gasket will blow for certain. It is foolish to just press the liner in and not ensure it is fitting correctly and fully home.

More parts from the "Land of Nearly Right"

Thanks Brian!!!

I will remove the liners and seals and fit by hand.
If they wont go by hand then they are the wrong ones as you say
I will see how they fit and work out what shims I need.

Where do I get the shims from?

Thank you for your advice, they should really supply shims in the kit then?

I will let you know how I get on when it stops raining!

Thanks from DRZ400 .

Totally agree with Brian. He has the right advice. Dandy Dave!