1957 411 LP

[nitram148]

I picked up a 411 LP the other day, and I am wondering what to do with it. I have been looking for this particular tractor for a while now. This is the first tractor my grandfather bought, and what my father grew up driving. I would really like to fix this up and use it for some light mowing, blade work, and maybe the local tractor pulls.

The problem is the motor is stuck. I have put diesel in the cylinder and have tried to pull it 3 times now with no success. Also, the rear tires and rims are shot, the gear shift is really sloppy, the pto doesn't want to spin even when its out of gear, most of the tin is good, but the finders are shot as well.

It looks like I could easily spend 3-5k fixing this up. And I don't really have the money right now. It would take several years for me to get this all going.

What do you guys think I should do?

Also, would an engine from another model tractor fit this?

Just trying to weigh all my options here.

Thanks,

Martin
 

[Don Rudolph]

Martin,

My advice to you is take your time and find bargains in the parts you need. It make take you five years but you will have a piece of family history, and a pretty unique machine.

Diesel is probably not the best penetrating fluid to loosen up stuck cylinders. There are many recipes, but I like brake fluid. Others have their favorites that I hope they"ll share with you. The PTO fix is probably not too bad, as is the sloppy shifter. Fenders will be a problem unless John Saeli has some replacements left. Tires and rims can come from a salvage yard. Look for deals and be patient, it will come together. Good Luck with whatever you decide. Don
 

[tomturkey]

I have a 411 gas and a 401 diesel and someday would like a LP version. But not yours. Please tuck it away in the corner of your shed or a friends. You do not want to give up this connection to your Grandfather. Squirrel away a little money. Acquire parts and it will come together in time. I'm a thinking, you will always wish you had it back if you let it go. Happy fixin gobble
 

[1031D]

If it really is a 1957 it should have a PTO brake on it. Do not pull it to break it loose unless you want to snap rods and poke holes on the block.
 

[nitram148]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I hopefully will get this thing going again. Just feeling a little depressed when I couldn't get it to turn over. According to Tractor data, and the serial number it is a 57. 8103643 I believe off the top of my head, I will check again tomorrow.

What should I be doing to get this unstuck? I have never done this before, and I have a mechanic that works for CaseIH helping me. He has restored several tractors, but they are usually old red ones. But he has worked on several Cases at work.

Thanks again for the advice,

Martin
 

[EliG]

Congrats on getting your 411. I did a similar thing last year when I bought my grandpa's 1955 401. It sat in the shed for 14 years until I bought it. It wasn't stuck but was the engine was totally wore out and needed an overhaul badly. Take care of the mechanical stuff first and then worry about the cosmetic stuff (fenders and sheet metal). You may want to pull the heads and look at the cylinders. They may not be salvageable requiring replacement of the sleeves which would take care of the stuck issue assuming nothing is wrong on the bottom end. Some parts are still available from Case others are available from John Saelli and others that hang out here.


I would recommend getting an owners manual, parts book, and a shop manual. They are worth the money and a good resource.

Another suggestion is to take lots of photos as you work on it. They come in handy when its time to put things back together. I also showed them to grandpa as I was working on the tractor. He's in his mid 80's and was excited when I bought it and more excited to see the pictures as the project progresses.

Like others have said take your time and enjoy it.
 

[chuck machinist]

There are some 400 parts from a 401 being made available on Ebay -agriculture .He parted her out rather than scrapping her.
 

[C. Amick]

How long have the pistons been soaking? They probably need to soak for a month or so before you try freeing them. One guy told me to use a mixture of 1 part Marvel Mystery Oil, 1 part kerosene and 1 part automatic transmission fluid. Jack up one of the rear wheels, put the tractor in high gear, and walk by from time to time and jiggle the wheel that is in the air back and forth. You may want to remove the rocker arm assembly to prevent bending push rods in case any valves are stuck. Parts for the engine are available.
 

[4x4stude]

I have a 400 that I will part out. It is not an LP model. The only thing missing is one cylider head and the starter. The engine in this one is stuck as well. I am located in Oregon. Zane


 

[nitram148]

They have been soaking in diesel for about 3 weeks now. Cylinder #1 is staying full, I believe this one to be the problem. I think I will do as you suggested and just let it sit for a while and jack it up.

4x4stude, Thank you for the offer. But I think shipping might be a little high for the heavier stuff. I live in central Kansas. That being said, what kind of shape are your fenders in?

Thanks again to everyone for all the advice.

Martin