Farmall H

[JayinNY]

Roughly how much does it cost to rebuild a H engine? Mine has very low oil pressure after 20 minutes of running, I'm thinking I may want to unload it, but if I rebuild it may bring more money? The test of the tractor is in pretty good shape. Just kicking ideas around. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[fastfarmall]

They sell parts right here on this same website, you can get a good idea, just add them up,but dont forget to change the grease in the finale drive.

 

[gene bender]

Lots of luck getting your money back after new engine sell it now as is. Just because the oil pressure drops doesent mean it needs a new engine. Whats the compression are all cycls pretty close to the same high reading isnt gospel as guages do vary and procedure during test also.

 

[Boomer2431]

What weight oil are you using in it? And does it use oil?

 

[f2355j]

Gene is right you won't get your money back from doing a overhaul. Reason is there are too many H's out there that run good a person can choose from.

 

[hghrdnhck]

How much do you want for it?

 

[JayinNY]

Straight 30 weight, it dosent seem to use oil.

 

[riverbend]

That depends... If your oil pump is good and you are not running 0W-20 oil, the bearings are probably worn. Add to that the journals on the crank may be oval. Just the bearings and gaskets will run a couple hundred bucks. But you will have to take the motor out to replace the bearings (without heroic measures). If you value your time at $10 an hour and don't repair tractors for a living, I'm guessing you will have 2-3 days of steady work to do the job. Throw in a $150 and a few more hours getting the crank reground. While you are waiting for the crank to come back you might as well have a look at the oil pump too. You are probably looking at $500-$700 to change the bearings and hopefully fix the low oil pressure. At that point you will have a tractor that will be just like any other decent running H with a flat front tire. I see an H in the paper this week for $1200.

I would not discourage you from fixing this tractor. They are great old tractors. You should use a different pressure gauge to verify the low readings. Going a little farther you could also plastigage the rod bearings without too much trouble. And it is not too hard to look at the oil pump when the pan is off. Or just see what heavier oil does.

Greg

 

[Boomer2431]

Hmm does it make any engine noise?

 

[D beatty]

Is this a tractor that is used a lot or just sets. If its a tractor that is used you will get the money back out of an overhaul.

 

[rustyfarmall]

Low oil pressure after 20 minutes of running indicates a worn oil pump. The oil pump can be repaired/refurbished, and all will be well. There is also a good probability there is a sludge buildup in the oil pan, which should be cleaned out. Sometimes the sludge is deep enough that the pickup for the oil pump is actually buried, and CAN'T get enough oil.

 

[JayinNY]

No

 

[BruceS]

Agree with rustyfarmall on oil pump. That could very well be your solution. Also check gauge and oil line that feeds the gauge. Partially plugged? Drop the pan and clean it out. If you want to sell, sell as is. The cost of a rebuild will eat up the value of the tractor and you will not get your money back.

 

[CenTex Farmall]

Nice looking H. Even looks like it still has the radiator shutters and operating rod intact.

As Rusty says, possibility of excessive wear on oil pump shaft. I agree too that you won't make money on rebuilding and then selling.

 

[JayinNY]

Thanks for all the replys. This summer I will look into the oil pump as has been suggested, the gauge, feed line ect. Thanks again.

 

[John M]

Hmmm, maybe if you raised the jack a little more, the oil will move to the other side and........ That is a good looking old H!

 

[Janicholson]

Cleaning out the oil pan and checking the oil pump is a good idea. Were it mine I would first try a oil change to 15-30 Rotella, or Delo. If it is over due, or has 10-30 in it, it is time. Jim

 

[David G]

I never, well rarely, argue with Jim.

 

[dhermesc]

If its not using oil I would definitely limit your efforts to the oil pump, oil pan and making sure your gauge is correct. I would not go deep into the engine looking for a problem that may or may not exist. Not burning oil indicates at least part of the engine is probably pretty tight - 30 years ago our old H would burn a quart every two days mowing and raking with good oil pressure. The last thing we would have considered was an OH - and that tractor was still working a fair amount of hours (lots of hay and time spent on augers).