Pushrod Tube installation

[Kris A NC]

I have my old tubes removed. I have read all I can find on here about installing the tubes. I have read about freezing them to make them smaller and I have read how some didn't like to freeze them because that would add moisture into the mix when they were using a sealant. My question is...how do you seat them. The old ones pull out hard. The new ones are brass. I would think if you pounded on them they would mushroom. What have others done? The head is off the tractor right now. I am just not sure of the best way to get the new ones in. Thanks

Kris A NC

 

[Mike M]

On mine the holes machined into the head where they seat were all different sizes likely from back when it was rough machined when new tolerances were not held too tight. My new tubes from Deere easily fit into the holes. First attempt I used hardening permatex and then expanded them once seated with a tapered punch. Well some leaked right away. Back to the drawing board ! I pulled them out cleaned everything all back up again and this time I used JB Weld ! So far so good after many years. Still have my fingers crossed. LOL

 

[Kris A NC]

thank you for the reply. I have read numerous posts by you on this subject. I like the jbweld Idea...however I have to get mine in first....they don't push all the way in....they get hung up.

Kris A NC

 

[Pappy]

I have not done this job!!!

Seems that I read that the pushrod tubes are slightly tapered. Could this be the problem?

 

[Mike M]

I do think ? they are made bigger on one end then the other as the other posted mentioned.
Do you have the cyl. head off ? If so this would be best so you can see what's going on and to swage both ends after done. I did mine with the head on. Do you have mics to measure it up and see how much press fit you may have ? It may just be as simple as you actually have a nice tight drive in place fit.

 

[WTW]

Kris,
The tubes you speak of are swedged in the head. Done similar to the way the old timers swedged the boiler tubes in a steam engine boiler. If you look around find a head bolt from a diesel engine that has a shoulder just below the hex head of bolt but larger than the bolt shank. There is one size that works well that can be used as a swedging tool after the tubes have been placed in head with some sealer like Indian head or Permatex. Some people use a tapered punch but the shoulder type tool will stretch the inside diameter out the whole thickness of contact area of head to make it tight in head bore. Shouldered tool only needs to stretch the ends of tube down about 1/2" deep. A tool could be easily made on a turning lath to do this. Done simply by driving tool in tube end after it has been installed and driving tool back out from opposite side. Do both ends of each tube. Good Luck, DW

 

[DGK]

Hi
Make sure you clean up holes real good, peice of 3/8 treaded rod with double flat washers on each end and you can draw them right in place. I like to use JB weld to. Good luck!

 

[Kris A NC]

I am working on getting them cleaned up now. So you get the tube started in the hole. On the bottom of the head you have a flat washer and nut to hold it on and on the top you have the same to push the tube in place? Am I understanding you correctly? I have also found the holes at the bottom of the head are smaller then what the small end of the tubes are. I guess I need to buff those down a bit. Thanks for the tips DGK. I will give the threaded rod a shot.

 

[Kris A NC]

one other thing...how do you clean out the deposits that are in there. I have been doing ok work with a Hammer and screwdriver. Is there a better way to attack them?

Kris A NC

 

[James Tabor]

Just replaced mine on my 45 B. Removed the head and had it rebuilt. Ordered the sleeves (BRASS) from Deere. I watched the mechanic make the installation; of course the head had been vatted so all was clean,he coated both end of the tubes with JB Weld,took an oversized bolt and drove them end with ease from the front side. He then cleaned off the excess JB. I reinstalled the head months ago and have had no further leaks.

 

[Kris A NC]

Thanks for that info James. Thats what I was thinking too. Unfortunately the shop I had do the head didn't boil it. The next shop I have will do the boil. Makes live easier!

Kris A NC