Finally got my WD down beside the house and out onto the back lawn. Will build a shed for it soon. This is the tractor I found at a fishing community just north of Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia. Had been full of sea water for a couple of years and had been stationary for a few years more. Age unknown as the required number is not where it should be. Missing altogether.
Dad and I removed the engine cover, radiator tank etc and started on the tappet cover. Whoever rebuilt this engine many years ago knew what they were doing; every nut and bolt I've removed has turned with complete ease. Especially three of the six exhaust manifold nuts that just twisted straight off.... But every other nut and bolt has been dead easy to remove.
All the rocker arms, rocker shaft etc are in mint condition. No sea water reached this part. You should have seen the black, oily, sludgy water that we drained from the engine and radiator! Flushing almost clear now. We removed the cylinder head and found the top of the pistons and inside the bore to be in much better condition than we had expected. Mostly surface rust and sludge that got in somehow. Engine still siezed though
*Find a tool: Drill Press Reviews
Pulled the side plate off the engine and degreased it. All ok. SO FAR..... this is looking like a fairly straight forward restoration. After degreasing and hosing the exposed engine components, I've dried them off, I've removed the water from the head with compressed air and have covered the lot with a smear of Lithium Grease and/or Boston's Penetrating Oil & Lube. That should help to keep any further rust away and protect that which is still rust free.
Whilst I'm on the subject, would anyone consider shipping a few drums of Marvel Mystery Oil over here? I can't find anyone who sells the stuff. Many Aussies have never heard of it. One aero-engineering mob used to import and sell quite a lot, but their supply dried up a few years ago.
I'll be filling the cylinders with diesel soon, in an effort to protect the bores and hopefully free the pistons.
Dad and I removed the engine cover, radiator tank etc and started on the tappet cover. Whoever rebuilt this engine many years ago knew what they were doing; every nut and bolt I've removed has turned with complete ease. Especially three of the six exhaust manifold nuts that just twisted straight off.... But every other nut and bolt has been dead easy to remove.
All the rocker arms, rocker shaft etc are in mint condition. No sea water reached this part. You should have seen the black, oily, sludgy water that we drained from the engine and radiator! Flushing almost clear now. We removed the cylinder head and found the top of the pistons and inside the bore to be in much better condition than we had expected. Mostly surface rust and sludge that got in somehow. Engine still siezed though
*Find a tool: Drill Press Reviews
Pulled the side plate off the engine and degreased it. All ok. SO FAR..... this is looking like a fairly straight forward restoration. After degreasing and hosing the exposed engine components, I've dried them off, I've removed the water from the head with compressed air and have covered the lot with a smear of Lithium Grease and/or Boston's Penetrating Oil & Lube. That should help to keep any further rust away and protect that which is still rust free.
Whilst I'm on the subject, would anyone consider shipping a few drums of Marvel Mystery Oil over here? I can't find anyone who sells the stuff. Many Aussies have never heard of it. One aero-engineering mob used to import and sell quite a lot, but their supply dried up a few years ago.
I'll be filling the cylinders with diesel soon, in an effort to protect the bores and hopefully free the pistons.