Engine swap in 4020

[Jon Pedigo]

Bought a 4020 a little while back at an auction for a good price, only issue is that its a gas. I was curious to see what it would take to do a swap to a diesel. I had been looking for a diesel but coudnt pass up this tractor with how high diesel 4020's are going now-a-days

1.) How hard is it to swap from a gas to diesel engine?

2.) What is the availability of a diesel engine for a 4020?

3.) Price to get the engine swapped and ready to go?

I bought the 4020 for $4500 and i thought for the price it was to good to pass up, it runs like a champ and looks good. I use it for about 100 acres of hay each year and its the perfect utility tractor for me. Would i be better off to try and sell the gasser and make a grand or so and invest in a diesel or swap it out with a diesel engine?

Thanks

http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u656/Jon_Pedigo/IMG_1634_zps203303f9.jpg

 

[ss55]

With 100 acres of hay ground you might not put more than 100 hours per year on the tractor. The fuel savings per year from a diesel may not amount to much. Maybe use the gas tractor as-is for a year to see how much fuel it actually uses before you consider trading it or swapping engines when it eventually needs an overhaul.

 

[larryanderson]

It is done all the time and certain engines are almost bolt in.My self I would sell it and get a nice side counsel 4020 as they can still be bought right and they seem to hold their value.I had a nice 2520 that a diesel had been near pefectly installed and some would not even look as it was not factory.You could not tell except for S.N#.and it ran much better.Tim S. is very helpfull on engine swap dos and donts.I would guess and engine swap would be at least $3000 and then is your tractor worth $7500?

 

[tim s]

Looks like you got a good deal,, and my vote is to swap the engine. I do a lot of the here (central Ohio) for about $1,000 labor, we het engines for about $2500-$3500, on the gas change over the throttle linkage is ornery since it needs to go out the other side. I will be glad to help steer you through the job. A 6620 non-turbo"ed combine engine works the best, it will give you a nice 125 HP and good low end power, my style of conversion is clean and simple, no frame hacking and the exhaust comes through the hood like it should.

 

[D-]

Instead of spending the $4500 for the gas which is about market couldn't you have gotten a good diesel for $7500 to $8000.
Maybe you can trade it in?

 

[Jon Pedigo]

Gas around me (central Indiana) have been going for around 6-8k and you cant buy a diesel for under 10k, that is if you want it to look halfway decent, add in the powershift and side console models and you cant buy em for under 12k where im at

 

[tim s]

I changed a very nice low houred 1966 Gas 4020 over to a 4230 styled diesel engine last winter for a customer, it was worth the effort. I know what your saying about getting too much money into a conversion,,but if you can buy them right it will work out,,

 

[larryanderson]

Looks like nice clean tractor.If possible buy running engine if not make sure its a good one.Many gas tractor havent been used as hard as some of the diesel.I have seen the $ difference new and it seemed like it was only $2k which would have been well worth it when it comes to resale.But that was 40 some years ago and everything cost 10X as much today.

 

[buickanddeere]

For your application I can't see any significant advantages to swapping in a diesel .
Just make certain the air filtration has no obstructions. The choke really is wide open with the knob pushed in. The carb is leaned out as far as possible without stumbling. And that the distributer centrifugal advance is working.

 

[D-]

How long would it have taken to make that
$2000 back in fuel savings.
I think powershifts were +$650 around '65. How many clutch jobs would have paid for that.
Had a neighbor/customer who bought a new 4230
4-post w/windbreaker because it was cheaper than a cab. He told me many times what a mistake that was.

 

[tim s]

I just plain don"t like the gas 3020/4020 engines, they are never smooth in operation like a diesel, they always seem to need choked a bit as you throttle up,,

 

[D-]

I don't have that problem but since I mostly idle (loaders around shop)the engine loads up and smokes like a diesel when speeded up. Also the gases won't idle around when you get under load such as starting up a grade like a diesel.
It's just that a diesel smokes too much when moving something into the building.