Mechanic Problems

Larry Hardesty · Apr 27, 2015

Last winter I found a young mechanic to work on my Allis Chalmers C. He needed some extra hours during the slow winter months. Well, the engine is all apart and my mechanic got a new job and I have not seen him for two months. I have talked with him and he tells me he will be back, but again it is two months. He did leave some of his tools. I talked with his father, who has done some work for me, and he had approached me about giving his son some work in the first place. I don't want an unhappy mechanic working on my tractor, but I would like my tractor fixed. It is down to putting the engine back together, and it is beyond me to do that. Any advice?!

DrAllis · Apr 27, 2015

(quoted from post at 06:51:56 04/27/15) Last winter I found a young mechanic to work on my Allis Chalmers C. He needed some extra hours during the slow winter months. Well, the engine is all apart and my mechanic got a new job and I have not seen him for two months. I have talked with him and he tells me he will be back, but again it is two months. He did leave some of his tools. I talked with his father, who has done some work for me, and he had approached me about giving his son some work in the first place. I don't want an unhappy mechanic working on my tractor, but I would like my tractor fixed. It is down to putting the engine back together, and it is beyond me to do that. Any advice?!

It will be difficult for someone new to just walk in and take over. He should have marked all the rod caps and main brg caps in a way that will insure correct installation. This is important. Someone new better be experienced on that series of engine, so he has a clue how things go, just in case the AWOL tech didn't really mark things.

Dick L · Apr 27, 2015

If every thing is there, clean and correct your only talking about a long evening to assemble that engine.

I put a rod thru the crankcase on a B on Saturday at a tractor pull. When I got home I pulled the engine out and stripped the pistons, sleeves, crankshaft, camshaft and the governor assembly out. I then put it all back in a different block and pulled in on Sunday. I used all different rods as the cause of the broken rod was an experiment that went bad. No damage to the crankshaft. The rod did take out the pan and camshaft as it was making a window.

Bob · Apr 27, 2015

That's just SILLY!

Anyone with a reasonable amount of engine-building experience should be able to assemble that engine from a bucket of parts with no issues.

Even if the rod and main caps aren't marked, close observation and matching up of the hone marks, then verifying with an internal mic or "snap gauge" will lay any issues there to rest.

And, the new mech will surely know the rods need to go to a machine shop to have both bores checked and to be checked for straightness, anyhow.

ditchwitch · Apr 27, 2015

Larry , I got money says you can do it. Dont sell yourself so short. I bet if you ask these men on here they could walk you threw bolt by bolt how to put that motor back together. Just a little patience and time is all you need. Good Luck

Larry Hardesty · Apr 27, 2015

The head has been to the machine shop. There is one new rod. I think things are marked...at least I have not touched them. I just have never torn into an engine before. It probably is simple for the experienced but I am hesitate about getting torque right, clearance right, getting magneto timing right, etc There are new sleaves and pistons and pistons need to be installed. Need some shims on the bearings. So, I do think probably just an evening or two. The young man is going to mess around and get zero pay for what he already has done if I have to get another mechanic to my place.

Thanks

Bob · Apr 27, 2015

IMHO at this point getting someone experienced to assemble it will be money well spent vs. having the kid to it under distress or proceeding yourself if unsure of what needs to be done.

There's nothing more sickening than to fire up a rebuilt engine and having it lock up or ventilate itself and having to $$$ start over.

I've cleaned up after a few of those messes, and even had a sbc engine I assembled kill itself for reasons I never did figure out.

ObsoElitist · Apr 27, 2015

The job is easier if you took it apart yourself, as you know what fasteners went where, which ones had problems, and the order of assembly. I charge a lot more for an inherited job. Remember that when you get estimates. Do politely ask the guy if he will "honor his comittment". It will be easier if he does it, providing he is qualified.

old · Apr 27, 2015

If you have the I-T manual and with help form us I am sure you could do it. Shoot I was doing lawn mower engines when I was 9 or 10 and my first tractor engine rebuild was a hand crank A/C B and I did that when I was 18. Shoot I even have parts of 2 of those engines laying around right now. Have a case iron oil pan and valve cover to boot

wvfarmboy · Apr 27, 2015

never pay to job is done you can give or pay parts money. gather all of it up and take it to the machine shop he might be gald to put it all togather for you and then you can put motor on tractor dont force anything it will slide right togather when its all lined up

JOCCO · Apr 27, 2015

WOULD IT NOT HAVE BEEN BETTER TO HIRE SOMEONE WHO WOULD GET RESULTS IN THE FIRST PLACE????? if KID NEEDED WORK SO BAD HE WOULD HAVE HAD IT DONE BUY NOW RIGHT???

Larry Hardesty · Apr 27, 2015

He was a mechanic for the local John Deere dealer. And how was I to know what his finances were like other than he said he was looking for extra work?

Larry Hardesty · Apr 27, 2015

I have not paid him anything for the job.

Larry Hardesty · Apr 27, 2015

Well maybe, but I would think forgetting to torque one bolt or doing it wrong could result in some pretty serious damage. The fellow, while young by may standards, is an experienced tractor mechanic. His father did some work for me a couple of years ago and did a good job and at a good price. I talked with his father, and he is disappointed with his son too.

Larry Hardesty · Apr 27, 2015

In this case, the machine shop is backed up and probably not interested. The fellow bores out engines, planes heads, etc. and that keeps him pretty busy.

Thanks for the thought.

carl reitnauer · Apr 27, 2015

It may be easier/cheaper to buy another engine to dismantle yourself so you know where everything goes/fits and keep it then for parts. This and a manual will make it happen. Don't pay him if he shows; he has already made you pay.

Traditional Farmer · Apr 27, 2015

Maybe post what area you're in and someone on here would know of a mechanic to get you out of the tight spot.Everyone gets in a mess like you're in of some sort sooner or later if you fool with equipment.Or just look around your area for a mechanic.I had an engine I couldn't find anyone to work on,put an ad on CL and a mechanic that works for a dealer in a town about 40 miles away called me as he does work on the side too and he was familar with the engine and worked on it.

Larry Hardesty · Apr 27, 2015

You might have offered the best advice so far. I am in the middle of Nebraska. I talked with a local Case-IH mechanic and he might have some recommendations for mechanics (not from his shop though). Thanks

Larry Hardesty · Apr 28, 2015

Yep, I agree

Mechanic Problems

Larry Hardesty

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DrAllis

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Dick L

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Bob

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ditchwitch

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Larry Hardesty

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Bob

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ObsoElitist

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old

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wvfarmboy

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JOCCO

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Larry Hardesty

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Larry Hardesty

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Larry Hardesty

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Larry Hardesty

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carl reitnauer

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Traditional Farmer

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Larry Hardesty

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