MH 44-6 engine troubles (pics)

[Anonymous-0]

Well I finally got around to taking the head off of my Granpas old 44-6. It has been in an old barn for the past 35+ yrs and it hasn't ran at all during that time. It was just parked and left there for some unknown mechanical reason. The crankshaft and pistons move, but the camshaft doesnt. The small half moon key that goes on front the camshaft, that the gear goes on, isnt there, so that could be why it doesnt turn, but that key had to have sheared off or something for some reason, that is why I think the valves are stuck. Someone tried to pull start it many years ago, and the pistons were free, and the valves werent. I dont know if the valve or piston rods are bent, but chances are they are. Also, while the tractor was sitting all those years, the starter was off, so mice or who knows what else couldve gotten in there. If you look at the pics, you might be able to see all of the crud, dirt, oil, and who knows what else is all on top of the pistons. You can also see that the valves are burnt. So what do you guys think? I believe it needs a full engine overhaul, or maybe a differnt engine. I have another engine that I could swap with one that is in the tractor. I know it is a crysler flathead six cylender that my great grandpa took out of a tractor that they wrecked. One of the spark plugs were take out of it though, so there is dust and dirt in one of the cylinders that would have to be cleaned out. I dont know what it looks like on the inside, but I do know that it is loose and the distributer will turn, which means that the valves arent stuck or anything. The one that is in the tractor is a continental flathead 44-6. I know that the crysler had a little more power, so when I want to take this tractor to the occasional tractor pull, it would be a better engine. What do you guys think? I would really like to hear all of your thoughts on this one. Sorry for the long post.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I've been inside engines that looked worse than that! I'd say you'd be doing well to go rebuild the whole engine. It'd be fun and probably easier that fitting that Chrysler engine in. Oh, and how'd it feel taking a picture under that dangling head? Yikes! Good luck on the Massey!

 

[gene oslund]

I have found that it is better to do the complete tear down and go from there when things have been sitting this long. Good luck.

 

[El Toro]

I would tear it down too, then it will last a long time when you have it finished. The clutch
may need a rebuilding too. Carolina Brake & Clutch rebuilds clutches. 1-800-374-2212 Hal

 

[Gene Dotson]

Dalton;
I just finished with a Continental in similar condition. The main problem was the lifters were stuck fast in their bores. I welded a nut on the center of a scrap camshaft gear to turn the cam and tapped at each cam lobe as it contacted the lifter.
Remove the valve spring retainer pins to release the pressure of the springs.
Only a couple of the valves were stuck hard enough that I was not able to pry them out.
First thing is to get good penetrating oil and really soak the valves and lifters and cam bushings.
Use a soft copper or lead hammer to tap on the camshaft..
There are no pushrods as the lifters push straight on the valves, so they will not likely be bent... Gene

 

[Dave_Id]

When I pulled the head off my F226 from my 101 Senior, the front piston was partially melted away, and the rings were in chunks, yet the bore wasn't scored at all. Those Continentals are really tough engines. Rebuild the one you got. They are pretty simple to rebuild. I made sure I had my block boiled out to ensure all the passages were open.