Allis Chalmers CA tractor engine.Installing pistons(pic)

[BlaineF]

Well guys
Don't know if you like looking at these tractor rebuilding pictures.But I decided to post some more pictures of the progress on the CA.Pictures will show me polishing the crank.Then some of the various steps I go thru to get the pistons back in.Hope the pictures give you guys. That do not get this deep in a engine .The itch to tear into one.Sure is a good feeling. To hear it fire of for the first time after a overhaul. Hope you like the post.Thanks BlaineF(WA)

 

[LeonardWD45]

Sweet, Blane. I truly enjoy rebuilding engines and the first firing after is music to the ears.

Leonard

 

[frank tilleson]

Very good pictures Blaine! Everything looked clean. Inspires me to get started on my son"s 39 ac b . Wish more of the members would share.

 

[Paul from MI]

I never used a ring compressor like the one you have. How do you like it?

 

[glennster]

i have a blue point ring compressor like that one, real nice, easy to use.

 

[Eldon (WA)]

Nice pics Blaine. I assume the sleeve was the right size?

 

[37 chief]

Good clear pictures, nice job. It's always nice to hear the first start up. One thing the pictures brought out, is the top main bolt is safety wired backwards. Stan

 

[Johnny form MI]

Safty wire is doing no good installed that way. Might just as well not have it there.

 

[Bob Bancroft]

I wonder how many even know what safety wire is? You have some aircraft experience possibly?
I don't remember if I even bothered with it on my old C, since it's not even been a possiblity for many years.

 

[Jiles]

(quoted from post at 16:51:40 03/14/11) Safty wire is doing no good installed that way. Might just as well not have it there.

Correct---wire should be TIGHT---like trying to tighten bolt further with wire.

 

[El Toro]

We use to twist the wire from one bolt or nut to another. The Air Force has a tool for doing it. Hal
Untitled URL Link

 

[Bob Bancroft]

Not only the air force, but every aircraft mechanic. Problem is they only twist one way. If I remember correctly, when safety wiring between multiple fasteners(around a ring of propeller bolts, for example), you're supposed to alternate the direction of the twist. I think most guys ignore that one.

 

[Bob Bancroft]

Sorry. You've been beat around enough. But I'm wondering if you turned the ring gap away from the thrust face of the piston before you installed it?
I like the ring compressor. I've never seen one like that. Looks handier and quicker than the old wrap/around-twist/up one.

 

[Dick L]

Nice pictures. Looks like you have clean down pat. How did the crankshaft mic out after you got it looking nice and shinny?? Also how much ring end gap did you end up with??

 

[Anonymous-0]

Very nice pics and cleaner than I have ever seen during an engine rebuild. GP

 

[Spook]

Nice work. Safety wire I'd do different, but if it is torqued up right, you probably don't need it anyway.

 

[BlaineF]

Hey Guys
Thanks for your comments.
Saftey wire was already on the bolts so did not even think if it was on right.I placed the rings in 3 rds around the pistons.Rings move in groves over time.Crank was within .001-.0015 clearence spec.Ring gap was not checked.In the earlier post about 2 weeks ago .I made mention that this was just a parade tractor.So going to make it run on a budget,but it will run good.Been into alot of engines(around 1500) and only ran into wire on about half dozen of them.Seems to me it got phased out.So I guess I overlooked that.I'll respond on questions and try to give the best answer I can.Thanks Again Guys BlaineF(WA)

 

[atlarge54]

WOW only about 1500 engines. I just finished a C rebuild (HA HA) only thing I bought was gasket set and cam bearings. Around here Allis C's just don't have a lot of value. I just sanded and torqued until things were free to move. The mains looked almost perfect but couldn't get all the flaws out on rod journals. Maybe after mowing all summer I'll pull the pan and look at the rods. The book didn't say much about ring stagger---I tried to keep top ring gap away from exh valve and stagger the others 120 degrees if that makes any sense. It does feel good to hear one fire up and run---even better when it doesn't drip fluids for a change. Very nice photos, hope you share pics of your next project.

 

[37 chief]

Got my introduction to safety wire in the Navy, working on those big O radial engines. Stan

 

[Dick L]

1500 engines. That is a lot of experience. Tell me if you have found it unnecessary with this experience to check the ring gap before installing rings on the pistons? I ask because you said you had not checked that. Have you also found that it is unnecessary to mic the crankshaft rod journals if they still look good when you remove the rods? I ask this because when I ask before you only gave me the bearing clearance.
I am just wondering if in all of your engine work you have found that a lot of the detail checks are unwarranted? If so please enlighten me and others that have far less experience that need this information to help us in our future engine rebuilds.

 

[Joe Pro]

Alright guys, I will be the one to ask.

What is safety wire and what purpose does it serve?

 

[Dick L]

It is used to keep pressure in the direction the bolt tightens so that the bolt can not loosen. The wire is run thru two or more blots and wound very tight.
Looking at the wires being replaced by more people than what is in this picture you find that some must think it is just to keep the bolt from falling out.

What you see in this picture is not all that uncommon when removing the pan from old tractors. Many home grown back yard mechanics do not understand more details than just the safety wire.

 

[teddy52food]

So you don't lose the bolt when it falls out!

 

[ASEguy]

Blaine, I like how clean everything looks. My concern is polishing the crank and end gap. I always polish the crank across the entire journal and wrap the 800-1000 grit paper with an old flat shoelace around the journal twice. That way you don't polish the crank out of round. I also use a lubricant like PB to aid in polishing. Hope this helps. Gerard

 

[GVSII]

(quoted from post at 07:08:26 03/15/11) 1500 engines. That is a lot of experience. Tell me if you have found it unnecessary with this experience to check the ring gap before installing rings on the pistons? I ask because you said you had not checked that. Have you also found that it is unnecessary to mic the crankshaft rod journals if they still look good when you remove the rods? I ask this because when I ask before you only gave me the bearing clearance.
I am just wondering if in all of your engine work you have found that a lot of the detail checks are unwarranted? If so please enlighten me and others that have far less experience that need this information to help us in our future engine rebuilds.

DITTO! Been inside 1500 engines and didn't check ring end gap, main bearings or journals!.Somthin don't sound right. Might be the engine soon aftsr it lights off. As for the crapy safety wire job: with 35 years behind me as an aircraft mech. Ican say I seldom single stranded anything and didn't do it backwards.

 

[Jiles]

(quoted from post at 15:08:26 03/15/11) 1500 engines. That is a lot of experience. Tell me if you have found it unnecessary with this experience to check the ring gap before installing rings on the pistons? I ask because you said you had not checked that. Have you also found that it is unnecessary to mic the crankshaft rod journals if they still look good when you remove the rods? I ask this because when I ask before you only gave me the bearing clearance.
I am just wondering if in all of your engine work you have found that a lot of the detail checks are unwarranted? If so please enlighten me and others that have far less experience that need this information to help us in our future engine rebuilds.

My hat is off to this guy---I have been rebuilding engines for about 50 years, and about 20 years of that was working for a large engine rebuilding company.
I would estimate I have built 3,000 engines :lol: :lol: :arrow: ---Oh well--maybe around 4 or 500.

 

[BlaineF]

I'm going to address some questions and comments in this post.

Crankshaft questions; rod journal standard size 1.9365 low / 1.9375 high. My crank after polishing measured in the middle at 1.937 . As far as out of round or taking to much off crankshaft with a light hand polish.Not going to happen with fine grit polishing belt.Thats hard to do with a electric polisher unless you have no clue.

Ring gap; I've found on stock engines it's not real necessary to worry so much about checking gap.I've check hundreds to come to this conclusion.Now on performance engines with special pistons it's a must to check the gap. Because they need a bigger gap. Do to more heat on the top ring.(most aftermarket stock replacement rings sets have gap built in already)

Safety wire is kinda old school on things that stay on the ground.My Allis Chalmers CA tractor will not be cruising at 10,000 feet.But don't get me wrong I'm glad you guys that work on air craft use it.So thanks for keeping us all safe when in the air.These old tractor and automotive engines use it .You get into the newer stuff it's phased out.I've rebuilt little tractors ,big tractors,performance,heavy truck,standard autos and sports car engines.They have all had no safety wires.

My engine rebuild count is a little higher than I mentioned earlier.I take pride in my workmanship and the quaility of work I do.I post on here to help others. See somethings that they might not elsewhere.I found a few of the comments as a attack towards me.Made me a little hot under the collar.Just trying to add to the forum and I get some negative replies.Now I don't mind good hearted questions.Just the ones that judge my abilities when people have not seen my work.

Know with that all said .I was not trying to be a jerk.All that was stated above. Is what has worked for me over the years.You guys that have not worked on engines should follow your manuals steps to the tee.Also you need to make your own judgement on how to do things.The way I do it might not work for you.

Thanks for looking at my posts and I look forward to being a part of this forum to come.Matter of fact I'm going to post the finishing stages of the CA. Done with my little rant . Oh one more thing I'll be the first to admit .I had no clue the safety wire was on wrong.Learn something new every day. Thanks Guys BlaineF(WA)