mEI question

[popper50]

whats acceptable oil pressure on a early 530 gas tractor

 

[mEl]

Gas or Diesel, The gas were a lower pressure, 20-25 lbs , Diesel were much higher, 60 lbs would be about normal for a warmed up idling engine, If the pressure drops off with a warmed up engine you need to be looking at main and rod bearings, oil pressure is not as important as the hot - cold difference.

 

[WilBury]

Mind if I horn in?
Thinking of rebuilding a 1961 188D. Pretty darn sure she's worn. I know the standard is to replace the oil pump, but...
Running 15W40 I get 70 psi or better on a winter startup, 58 warmed up at full throttle, 52 at idle. If I leave the cardboard on the rad & work it to toasty hot I get 47 at idle.
I'll verify this with another gauge, but what do you think? Plan on a $ 400 oil pump???

 

[mEl]

If there is not excessive bushing wear I would not throw it away reuse it, I would not replace it if were mine.

 

[WilBury]

Thx mEl, was hoping you'd say that! Numbers ain't too bad for an old engine are they? Makes me wonder if anyone was into it in its first 30 years. New engine bearings ought to smarten it right up.
So, I'll measure clearances as best I can according to the book, check the gearshaft for wobble, maybe check the spring, etc. & reinstall. At worst, if I don't like it, it'll cost me an extra oilpan gasket.

 

[mEl]

Those Diesels were not noted for bearing wear, I have done many that the bearings were like new and could have been reused in a pinch, even though Diesel oil is always black does not mean it is bad, Black is soft carbon, a great lubricant, Gas engines wear faster than gas because gasoline washes the oil off surfaces and they wear faster, especially the older engines with hand chokes which allowed rich mixtures if not opened completely for warm up etc. 75 lbs cold is norm for those engines. A while back on forum there was a gent who was dead sure there was a problem with his relief valve and was gonna disassemble it. I do not know how he ever made out, I gave up trying to convince him it was normal at 75 cold.

 

[WilBury]

Interesting, and encouraging!
When I had the crawler stripped down in the 90's, I adjusted shims on the oil pump & idler gear, tried some plastigage on the front bearing but it didn't register. Too small. I'm still on the fence about rebuilding, but I'm pretty sure it wants a valve job & sleeve kit.
I'd like to start a thread on the 188D -Tips & Tricks. Mainly about stuff that you don't find in the manuals. I'd be thrilled if you would participate mEl.