8N seems like it seized. Help

[mmccarthy7220]

Hello all,
Yesterday my tractor started sputtering and running roughly. It stalled while idleing. I hopped back on to restart it. It turned over a few times and then abruptly stopped. Now it wont turn over and I cant even bump start it.Even in third gear, the tires just skid. Is my engine seized??? I dont know what options I have to diagnose the problems. It has plenty of oil ,why would this happen?? Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks, Mike

 

[Bruce (VA)]

" my tractor"

That covers a lot of possibilities.

6v or 12v? Front or side distributor?

While it could be a seized engine or transmission, the probability is that the the bendix is jammed into the flywheel. If the tractor has a 12v conversion, the chances of a failed bendix are even greater.

Jack up the rear wheels.

Turn one at a time w/ the engine in reverse. Then, put it in first & try again.

If it's the bendix, you will need to replace it.

The starter has 3 major exterior components; front plate, barrel & rear plate. The 2 bolts that hold the starter on to the bell housing go through all three components & hold it all together. To remove the starter, unscrew the bolts out of the block & put a nut on one of them. Otherwise, the starter comes apart. Not fatal, but not fun either. (tip # 36 at the link below) Then, loosen the two bolts holding the oil filter canister to the block, (it does not need to be removed) remove the dipstick, and keep the starter close to the block while pushing the front of it down and lifting the back up. Sometimes you have to remove the drain petcock as well.The bendix is behind the flywheel; your job is to get it over the flywheel.
Caution: while the starter is off, resist the temptation to screw with the bendix. If you extend the bendix, and it is not the OEM bendix w/ the big spring, you will have a hard time getting the starter installed.
To install the starter, keep it close to the block while pulling the front of it up and pushing the bendix back into the hole. The bendix has to go behind the flywheel; your job is to get it over the flywheel. Grinding out an egg shape at the 2 o'clock position before you put it back will make your life easier.
Lastly, while the starter is off, polish the block & all starter mating surfaces w/ sandpaper to insure a good electrical ground. First, clean the mating area between the barrel and rear plate. Then, clean the mating surfaces where the aluminum rear plate meets the bell housing. The starter's ground circuit is not only through the two long bolts but from the barrel to the rear plate & then to the bell housing as well.
75 Tips

 

[mmccarthy7220]

Sorry, the tractor is a 52 8n with 12v conversion and a side mount distributor. I just paid the shop to fix a starting/ charging problem and they replaced the starter at the beginning of the summer. So its only 4 months old a the most. I cant beleive im still having issues with this. I'll try jacking it up like you said. What does it mean if I can spin one wheel at a time or not? Thanks for the help.

 

[souNdguy]

for kicks.. try pulling hte psark plugs too. see if you have hydrolock. that or the bendix jamb will be the 2 'easy' ideas.

 

[Britcheflee]

Just wondering if it is possible to tell if the engine is seized rather than the starter by having someone try to start it and listen close to the starter motor location - would you not hear a 'clack' as the bendix tries to engage? If not, and just a buzz then it is indeed the starter jammed up? Kinda makes me think that the new starter was not good quality or something wrong with installation?
Either way, taking the starter out is not that big a job and you would probably tell right away when you went to take it off if it is jammed up as it would not want to come apart.
Lee

 

[Bruce (VA)]

" I cant beleive im still having issues with this. "

I can.

It depends on the quality of the parts installed. And, a 6v bendix it getting twice it's designed torque on 12v.

I would be surprised if it's NOT the bendix.
75 Tips

 

[souNdguy]

your logic is a hair faulty.

once it is seeming like it is seized.. IF it IS the starter gear.. then it is ALREADY stuck and engaged.

remember.. the bendix gear engages with rotation of the shaft.. not a magnetic solenoid.

pull plugs to check hydro lock. if no hydrolock.. pull starter.. then bar engine over with a screwdriver or breaker bar. if still seized.. then see if she will roll backwards.. seized bearings should not let her roll backwards.. however a physical obstruction in the cyl probably will.

 

[Tony C.]

It's been many years, but we had an 8N that would jam the starter occasionally (NOT 12V converted). If I remember correctly most times I would just loosen the bolts partially and rock the tractor back and forth in high gear and it would usually pop free. Doe this sound right, like it would work sometimes?

 

[Royse]

(quoted from post at 18:28:29 08/05/13) It's been many years, but we had an 8N that would jam the starter occasionally (NOT 12V converted). If I remember correctly most times I would just loosen the bolts partially and rock the tractor back and forth in high gear and it would usually pop free. Doe this sound right, like it would work sometimes?

If they're not jammed too bad I have gotten them to pop loose by
just putting it in high and rocking it back and forth. Nothing loose.
That was on a 6V system though that didn't engage with as much force.