TO-30 problems

[Anonymous-0]

I m nearly finished a re-overhaul of a Ferguson TO-30 tractor engine. In first restoration, I had installed almost everything new including sleeves, pistons, rings, etcc. and got is runniong bu the engine clattered like popping popcorn. {like valve clatter] So I"m disassembling for the second time to check my work and to install new valve guides [not done in the first overhaul] New answers to 2 questions:
1] What could have made the engine so noisy after first rebuild? 2. What is the best way to rough time the distibutor befoe fine tuning? Thanks in advance!

 

[Jerry//MT]

Did you adjust the valve lash? Is the valve rocker assembly getting oil?


To time the engine, get #1 cylinder on the compression stroke by removing the sparkplug, holding your thumb on the sparkplug hole and cranking the engine "til you feel pressure trying to blow your thumb off the hole. Using a socket on the crankshaft pulley, rotate the engine to 6oBTDC as indicated on the flywheel timing mark. Take the distributor capoff and observe the rotor. It should be pointing at the #1 plug wire terminal. If it"s not, loosen the distributor hold down clamp and carefully rotate it "til it is pointing to the #1 terminal. Then, turn on the ignition key, and hold the plug wire near a good ground while rotating the distributor slightly in both directions until you hear the spark snap. At that point you are statically timed.

It may take a few tries to get it, but when you feel you have it right, carefully tighten down the distributor hold down clamp while holding the distributor at the timed position. When you start up, check the initial timing with a timing light and verify the centrifugal advance is working correctly.

 

[gerard]

Do you have decent oil pressure?
Are the crankshaft bearings correct size for shaft? Did you perhaps fit std bearings when in fact the shaft is ground undersize?

 

[Clinton C. Brown]

thanks for your reply Gerard. The bearings were the correct size but the oil pressure was low. Any other ideas?

 

[Clinton C. Brown]

THanks for your info Jerry//MT I had installed a new oil pump, could the oil passages be clogged:--can I check for that? When I took off the valve cover after a few minutes run, it was dry. On the timing quesion, your "6oBTDC" statement must mean "6 degrees before TCC? Right?

 

[Jerry/MT]

BTDC is standard nomenclature for "Before Top Dead Center".
There is a rear drilled passage in the block that feeds the oil passage in the head that comes up in the rear rocker support. Since your top end is dry, that passage must be plugged. Take off the rocker assembley and probe that passage with the appropriate size wire to see if it"s clogged.