What's your opinion? MH 44 diesel

[H. DeBruhl]

Hello,

Looking at a 44D and wanting to see what everyone thinks. Good tin, decent tires, rebuilt head, rebuilt injectors, all new filters and fluids, remote hydraulics, good injector pump.. Downside is it tries to run, but low compression and will not hit on all cylinders......needs rings. Price 1600 to 1800 range, don't know exactly.

What are your thoughts?????
 

[unclemerle]

Dad had a 44D when I was a kid and bet it"s the injector pump and or injectors. If you have a fat checkbook go for it otherwise find a good gasser.
 

[moresmoke]

Has anybody checked the energy cells? If they are full of crud/carbon it could cause problems. I think the price is a little steep if it doesn't run, but probably ok if it would even run badly. It may be easier to buy a gasser, but some of use don't care for plugs and carburetors.
 

[Mike in Mn.]

I'm thinking if the head has been done and it has low comp. the rings would really have to be bad to not run. I'm thinking pump or timing if it has just been apart, kid and I have bought and sold and parted a few 44 diesels, most are just plain tired old boys with bad pumps and injectors, stuck valves and bent push rods, bad pumps and bad pumps. It's worth scrap plus tires and a few bucks if the rims and radiator are good. But if she's really straight---- I like to save em too!! But then it's not about the money, but the challenge!
 

[H. DeBruhl]

Update.
Helping the guy with the tractor now......tore the motor down and found it was not the rings but the pistons themselves. At some point it must have dry stuck and the previous owner took drastic measures to free it. Guy said he pulled it when trying to free it up.The lands between the compression rings were sheared off on all the pistons. Also found a crack along the right side of the block at the water jacket. Plan is to have a certified welder fix the crack. New pistons will be on the way soon. Hopefully she will be back up and running before too long.
 

[Danperkins]

Be sure to double check the rods. trying to break a stuck engine loose by pulling it up the road can bend the rods and crank too.