Rebuilding engine on 50

[jd5550]

Would like some opinions on rebuilding the engine on a 50. With the present economy, is it worth putting about 8 to 900 into rebuilding the engine? Its smoking some but all good gears tin tires ect. Starts and runs good but will foul the plugs after about 6-7 hrs running steady. Oil pressure is set kind of high ,on the gage, don't know if that adds to the problem. Don't want to have so much into it that it can't be sold without a big loss. Any comments appreciated.

 

[Bob Harvey]

Might just try a hotter plug, but $8-900 isn't bad if you can do it for that. HTH

 

[buickanddeere]

A $1000 is almost enough to do a half right job.
Start with properly setting the carb a 1/4 turn leaner than what the operator's manual says.
Run the coolant temp at 195F. Check for a stat. Odds are some goof in the past removed it.
Throw away the existing plugs and wires.Replace with 3116 Autolites and solid core wiring.
Run straight weight 40 wt low ash oil that mets Detroit Diesel two stroke specs.
Low ash oil when burnt leaves fewer deposits.
Take her out and work instead of putting around.

 

[2-banger]

i restored a 50 last winter and it is a great tractor. you can do the motor for 1000...my head needed guides,seat,valves,springs..all done head cost 350..block bored .90 over $150...find your self a rileys tractor parts dealer for pistons al m and w style cost me $200 but iam a dealer so maybe you could get them for 250..gasket set 100..my tractor was low houred but sat long time and was stuck...i did not do cam..and i dont think its worth spending the money to do unless your 50 has a million hours on it. doing cam in my a now and with grinding, bearing and gaskets your talking another $500. my 50 makes 33hp at 540 pto...very peppy little tractor. a good 50 will bring $4000 to 4500 around here with 3 point on it

 

[teddy52food]

But that buys a lot of oil too. Try what B&D says first.

 

[jd5550]

Buickand Deere-- What do you mean by a STAT? I have Autolite 3116 plugs and new solid core wires. Did complete tuneup all new items and all fluids changed. also using Sae 30 wt oil. Compression when I bought it last May was 100psi both cyls. Where is the low ash oil available? Have not heard of it mentioned before. I am in Northern Ohio. Can't seem to get 2500 out of a 50 around here.
Also, how does leaning out the carb reduce oil consumption? What am I missing? Thanks for all the comments

 

[buickanddeere]

Engine could be fouling plugs due to too rich of an air/fuel mixture or burning oil.
Going leaner will both reduce unburned fuel which maybe the fouling source. Leaning will raise the combustion temps and improve burn off of lube oil.
Low ash oil is sold at every shop that sells diesel oil. SF-2 for two stroke Detroit diesels. The new diesel oil for 2007 and later diesel trucks is a low ash formulation too.
"stat" = thermostat.