John Deere B crankcase cover removal question?

[John in Ct]

Our 44 John Deere B has not run in 30 years. Would there be any benefit , before trying to start it, to remove the crankcase cover (where oil goes in) to oil anything? Once the tractor runs and can be driven to another location, I plan to take the cover off in the future to remove any sludge.

 

[Pete in MD]

Our 44 John Deere B has not run in 30 years. Would there be any benefit , before trying to start it, to remove the crankcase cover (where oil goes in) to oil anything? Once the tractor runs and can be driven to another location, I plan to take the cover off in the future to remove any sludge.

I would drain the engine oil and remove the crankcase cover to check the oil pump coupler to see if it's still in one piece and in place.

 

[John in Ct]

I would drain the engine oil and remove the crankcase cover to check the oil pump coupler to see if it's still in one piece and in place.

I put new oil in already. Tractor ran when parked ( uncle died ) and it was stored in a locked shed sitting on blocks.

 

[Paul_IN]

Your tractor has been in much better storage conditions than most! I assume it’s a hand crank? I would not bother getting in the crankcase now but definitely remove the spark plugs and put some oil in the cylinders. Leave the plugs out and roll the engine over until oil pressure shows on the gauge.

 

[John in Ct]

I did put oil in the cylinders and turned it over but will do more to get oil pressure. We had the mag rebuilt, new hoses/antifreeze, I rebuilt the carb, cleaned out the valve train and just have to finish cleaning out the gas tanks before a spring time start.

 

[Loosehandle]

Our 44 John Deere B has not run in 30 years. Would there be any benefit , before trying to start it, to remove the crankcase cover (where oil goes in) to oil anything? Once the tractor runs and can be driven to another location, I plan to take the cover off in the future to remove any sludge.

Did you put in a new filter? I've seen them deteriorate sitting less time than 30 years.

 

[620 John]

Little late now with new oil in it but more than likely there's sludge in the bottom of the crankcase. More than once I've had to go into a 2 cylinder and clean up the crankcase with my solvent gun and parts washer brush and get all the crap out of the crankcase.

If no oil pressure is reading on the gauge you can take the oil line off for the gauge and see if any kind of oil pressure is being made. Gauge could be bad from sitting that long

 

[John in Ct]

I did not put a new filter in yet . My goal is to first get it running so I can drive it in to a proper shop then take the crankcase cover off and clean out all of the sludge.

 

[Watthour]

If it turns by hand, you're already well ahead of the game. @620 John has a good thought, and more important than oil pressure would be to determine if there is any oil flow. Hand cranking a few revs should spew some oil at the gauge line, pressure or not. That could indicate if sludge has fouled the oil pump strainer. If you get flow, feel fortunate.

FWIW, if you get it running and at temperature, detergent oil can help soften a lot of the sludge in the system. I used Mobil SHC for recovering abandoned units and the PAO synthetic coupled with detergent and operation at speed and temperature (unloaded) really stirs up a mess. Unfortunately, that will often end up in the filter and may make the filter loop just about useless, which was my result more than once. Worse yet, it could restrict the pump strainer if it wasn't already clogged. Eventually it would be good to open up and clean out thoroughly.

 

[Fixingfarmer]

not to make much work but drain it out into a clean pail then change the filter and put it back in. Have had to do things like that from time to time I have a harbor freight hand pump with a hydraulic filter on the end of it to screen things out. It takes awhile on big stuff. I don’t think your tractor has enough capacity to bother making and using that I think around a 2 and a half jug is about its capacity just try to miss the connecting rods so it’s back down in the sump and will be filtered if the contaminates came out they were in that same spot anyway. There’s no reason if it looks bad you have to put it back anyway if the last little bit of the pail is nasty start the next fire with it.

 

[John in Ct]

My cousin filled the Fuel tank up with diesel 30 years ago. When I pulled the valve cover off, about a quart of diesel came out. I am sure some diesel got into the crankcase so I changed the oil.

 

[John in Ct]

I turned it over and did get some pressure on the gauge. I am now working on the filter. Pretty sure there was detergent oil in it. I don't know if I have enough antifreeze, I filled the hole in the flat plate in the radiator even.

 

[Paul_IN]

I turned it over and did get some pressure on the gauge. I am now working on the filter. Pretty sure there was detergent oil in it. I don't know if I have enough antifreeze, I filled the hole in the flat plate in the radiator even.

Seems you are about ready to see if it will run! I really enjoy waking one from a long sleep. You have enough coolant for a short run for sure, assess the situation further when you get the B to your shop.

 

[Rich'sToys]

Be sure to premix your antifreeze before putting it in, as there is no water pump in that tractor to circulate it.

 

[John in Ct]

Be sure to premix your antifreeze before putting it in, as there is no water pump in that tractor to circulate it.

I did, I used Cat mixed 50:50 ( I use it in everything) but how high do I fill it?