D-17 kit in wd45? Good idea

[Dustyah]

I'm quite mechanically inclined, master tech at local ford dealer, I have a wd 45 wide front , p/s, lil tired, would the d-17 over bore kit, perhaps governor spring be worth the cost and I realize they are diff blocks, can the ol w block handle the rpm and cylinder pressure, I only use it for light farming and yearly tractor cruise, thanks in advance for all info, sorry if I'm asking the same ol question, thanks Dusty
 

[DrAllis]

The only performance differences between a WD45 and D-17 engine are the compression ratio (6.5 to 1 versus 7.25 to 1) and the governor spring (1700 RPM versus 2,000 RPM high idle). The actual cranking compression pressure is 130 psi versus 145 psi. Both engines are a 4 inch bore. I'm going to warn you. There are so many after-market 4 1/8" bore kits out there that DO NOT have as good of compression as the original pistons. They make you think that because they are "over-bore" they are automatically superior to the OEM 4 inch bore pistons. NOT TRUE !! Your best performance will come from OEM Power-Crater bowl 4 inch bore pistons with proper compression and fuel economy is better too. I have a WD45 with D-17 OEM pistons/sleeves and it runs very nice and it too is a tractor ride tractor and some moldboard plowing demoing. The HP/RPM increase would be best done with a crankshaft that isn't -.040" mains and -.040" rods. The less the crank has been ground the better. Be sure to have it magnafluxed for cracks.
 

[4wdtom]

Pay attention what Dr Allis says, he knows ACs. I will add though that for what you say you are going to use the tractor for you don't need to worry about power. A 45
will have enough.