71 3400 engine rebuild estimate

[brckss2]

Hello, I'm looking to buy at a '71 3400 w/loader, the owner says it was mowing then siezed up due to low oil. They added oil and got it to start again, but engine had a "clanking" sound so they shut it down. It's been sitting for a year. Asking price $1000. (offered $800 she wouldn't take it)

My question is what should I expect to pay to rebuild the engine etc. There are alot of unknowns. The tractor has great rubber, rims, enclosed cab, clutch feels ok very easy to actuate not sure if thats normal, a few loose tie rods, not much play in steering, 1800 hrs on meter, small rot hole in bucket, has 3pt and PTO.

I would disassemble and take parts for machining etc. Thanks.Bill

 

[brckss2]

Oh sorry its a gas engine.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I'm just going to pick some numbers out of
my ear so take them for what it's worth.
Head - 200
Bore cylinders - 300
New pistons/w rings - 400
Grind crank - 300
Recondition rods - 125
Hot tank - 50
Magniflux 60
Gasket set 70
Bearings 150
Transmission input seal/s 25
New soft plugs 20
Incidentals? Cam bearings?, etc? 100

So about $1700 plus your labor.
Add 1000 to buy it so
$2700-$3000 if it needed a clutch.
If the loader is good - other than the
hole - not cracked up and welded, tin
decent, that is not too much to pay for
one especially if you know it has a new
engine.

 

[Fordfarmer]

I'd say your numbers are pretty close. IIRC, on Luke's engine, grinding the crank was less and reconditioning the rods a bit more. Think the head was a bit less too... but it was flat and didn't need to be milled.
Considering that you'd have a new engine, if that's the size you want, I'd go for it.

 

[brckss2]

Thanks for the numbers, I was thinking close to that $1500 or so. Maybe Id get lucky and the crank would be fine. Is there a concern with porosity with this engine block? The loader was good, no major cracks or repairs. Def taking a chance buying a dead tractor, can't test anything. My IH350DU had a "clanking" noise, turned out to be a broken crank shaft.....

 

[Destroked 450]

It's going to need crank work or a replacement crank, plus the rods will need reconditioned and possibly replacement, the rest depends on the engines condition and how fresh you want it.
Cost me $250 to have the crank reworked on my 4000, found a good used crank for $450 to replace the reworked crank after it broke due to being ground wrong by the machine shop.
Not sure of the cost to recondition the rods today but new ones from this site are $81.50 each
Everything else depends on the engines condition and your choice of how fresh you want it.
Crank and rod repair, hone the block, basic valve job, new rings, bearings and gaskets you may be able to fix it for around $1000.
If the crank has to be replaced, one or more new rods, block needs bored and or the head needs major rework, your looking at likely a minimum of $2500+ for machining and parts, no labor.
Any time I take the engine off of a tractor I replace the clutch unless it's had recent clutch work, to much work to take one back apart later.

For me I'd take a chance on it but I do all of my own work and have the equipment and tools to do the job.
If I was looking at having someone else do the work I'd probably walk away.
With someone else doing the work, engine repair, clutch and labor you could easily be looking at $4-5k to get it going again.

Since it was run low on oil and for sure has bearing damage (clunking noise) I'd call around to see what a used running engine would cost.

 

[Ultradog MN]

It's the diesels that you have to bore and
sleeve. I've never heard of a gasser
having the porosity problems like the
diesels get.
Our old machinest will bore a 3 cyl gas
engine OS but will not touch the job if he
can't sleeve a diesel.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I think you are right on the price if he
just reamed the ridge and hone.
Gas pistons are very expensive.
If I had to find a crank for it I would
put a 3000 diesel crank in it (or one from
a 192 gasser) and use 3600 pistons. That
would increase his displacement from 158ci
to 175 and give him a couple/few extra
ponies at no extra cost.

 

[gears]

The gas kit .040" oversize pistons cost me $1200 delivered and $500 machining on the block and crank. New valves and did the head myself.

UD didn't mention stroking it when I was looking at the rebuild, I doubt I would've been motivated to source those parts anyhow.

 

[brckss2]

That sounds like a lot for the kit, Ag kits has a kit for around $600. Are they any good?

The tractor is a C4022B, so it has a 6 speed tranny, why would someone want a 6 vs an 8 speed?

Still on the fence with this project. Going to take a second look tomorrow, it's still there, no one's jumping on it. Anything in particular to check while i'm there?

Thanks

 

[Sean in PA]

The tractor is a C4022B, so it has a 6 speed tranny, why would someone want a 6 vs an 8 speed?

Same reason that your C4022B has non-live PTO, cost. The 3400 with the 6 speed and non-live PTO was probably the lowest priced tractor Ford sold in 1971 that was actually designed for loader work.

 

[gears]

I don't believe the $600 kit has the new valves, one of mine looked sketchy so I figured "in for a penny......"

I know my 8spd reverse is either too darned slow in low and scary between trees in high. Guess they weren't designed to be used as a skidder.