Here is Cliff's newest Challenge: Our neighbor's 1956 Standard International tractor. It has the same engine as the SWD9. (Whatever that is.) To get it started, it has to be warmed up on gas, then switched to diesel. That's what makes it rare. This tractor was only built one year.
It had been setting for a long time, and the engine was stuck tight. Arick, who does the actual work, tried several of Cliff's remedies; my husband calls those remedies "old Indian tricks". One of the tricks worked and the engine is free.
So far, no more work has been done on it because Randy, the neighbor, had to make up his mind how much money he wants to part with. There is one mystery we have to pursue before Randy sinks money in an overhaul, which would cost over $2,000. When they started dismantling the engine, it had new oil in in, new antifreeze, and didn't appear to ever have been started! It was too clean inside the engine.
So to pursue the problem, they are going put it back together and see if they can get it running rather than overhaul it. All Randy will have to buy is oil, antifreeze, a head gasket, and a battery. Then they will try to find another old Indian trick.
Randy has ordered the head gasket, so we wait to see what happens next. Stay tuned.
We haven't done much today. Cora spent a few hours with us; there has been no school for the kids around here all week, thanks to the snow. By the way, we had another inch or so of the white stuff last night.
Wow! Interesting engine. Wonder if it was a new one or rebuilt one, then the tractor sat for a long time. Love the different color socks Cora. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteIt will probably remain a mystery, even if they get it running.
DeleteTim had a seized engine on the old Farmall. He wasn't sure that he could get it going again, but he did. That is quite a mystery on the new oil and antifreeze! Your snow has just arrived here. I'm not going to thank you for it either.
ReplyDeleteI sat by Cliff and had him tell me what to say. Then I put it in my own words. When he said "stuck engine", every time I knew there was a better word than "stuck". I just didn't know what it was. Now I know! Sorry about the snow, but I'm sure you handle it well.
DeleteIt's good this is keeping Cliff occupied with coming up with old Indian tricks. Gary loves figuring out mechanical mysteries too. Rebecca in SW MO
ReplyDeleteYes, Cliff likes a challenge.
DeleteHow wonderful to spend time with Cora! I've never heard of that kind of engine but then, I'm not a gear head. (if that's the right word)
ReplyDeleteI know nothing about engines of any kind. Normally I wouldn't have gone into that detail, but our son does know a lot about them. So I put that in there for him, and possibly some nephews.
DeleteJust think, not only is Cliff is teaching the grandson his old Indian tricks, but they are making some good memories together!!! from Carlene Noggle
ReplyDeleteIndeed!
DeleteThe word you may have wanted is "seized, seized up" instead of stuck. It just means the parts aren't moving anymore. In the city, if a goofball doesn't check his oil level, and the oil is gone, the engine gets hot and parts get mad and won't move anymore. It's usually the pistons seized up inside the cylinders. Or the little valve literally blows through the botton of the piston. Had a VW paperweight from that for years. Linda in Kansas.
ReplyDeleteI know what seized means, but with dementia I'm lucky I can write a decent entry. The moment I saw Debby use the word, I knew that was the word I was looking for. Trust me, it isn't getting any easier, so you'll see worse than that. Some days I can't even get through a sentence that makes sense.
DeleteYou have a lot of snow! We just have a few inches, which is enough to cause problems. It is nice that your grandson helps Cliff. He'll learn a lot from his grandpa.
ReplyDeleteHe already has learned a lot!
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