Old handstart JD tractor

[Loving John Deere]

I just bought a 2cyl gas handstart John Deere model B. I am not sure on the year. It"s in pretty rough shape. The manifold is cracked and brittle, the rimstires need to be replaced and it looks like it needs a lot of work on the fuel system (carb rebuild, sediment bowl clean, etc). I was hoping I could get some advice on where to start working on it. Thanks!

 

[NoDakInMN]

If it were me, I would start by trying to get it to run. This alone would start you on the path of what needs to be repaired and when it runs, then you can assess what further mechanical issues you might be facing.

Frankly, unless it clearly has issues preventing it from running, I would put some gas in it and try to start it. These old tractors can surprise you.

If it fails to start, I would begin with checking compression, then spark and finally fuel.

Below are a couple of links to some technical information that will help you.

http://robertscarbrepair.com/technicalinfo.asp
http://jd2cylservice.com/GOG2008m.pdf

 

[old]

I would start by filling the cylinders with ATF and as it sits a few days that way clean up the carb and fuel system and clean or replace the points. If it look like the one in the picture it is a 1939 or older but if the steering is covered it is a 1940 and newer. This one sat with the engine locked up for at least 15 years and I have yet to open the engine and and it runs just fine but does smoke some but it did that before my dad parked it and let it lock up. That is my son on it and he is the 4th generation to be on it.

 

[padoublejay]

The picture is of a 38 or older a 39 was a styled tractor in the john deere a and b

 

[old]

Ah so it was 38 to 39 they went from unstyled to styled then. The picture is a 1935 JD-B that has been in my family since 1940

 

[Richard G.]

Flush the crankcase with diesel fuel and make sure the oil pump drive rod turns when you turn it over with the flywheel. The oil pump may have had water in it over the years and the square coupling often breaks when first turning engine. BTDT.
Richard