Case 400 questions

I recently purchased my first tractor, a 1956 case 400 diesel. It has a a loader on it. I'm trying to get something to plow my driveway with before the snow flies. It has been sitting for several years. Tin needs work but is there, front tires are nice and rear's hold air. Wheels are good. I brought a new battery over and got it to crank intermittently. Starter is now out and is being rebuilt currently. I noticed the oil is overfull (looks new) and smells like diesel. I have some questions for you.
1. Is it common for the pumps to leak diesel into the oil as they sit for an extended period of time?
2. What should I be looking for as I prepare to get this thing running?
3. I don't have a lot into this tractor and am not opposed to parting it out if say the pump needs replaced and the cost of doing so doubles my investment, What parts are most valuable on the used market?

Thanks for your time and expertise.[/img]
 
Fuel in oil may just be the gear pump seal leaking, PK 7910. May cross to a CR # also. Remove the gear pump and replace the seal. Watch the oil level, if it still comes up the injection pump needs resealed too. Just did a reseal on a Case 500 PSB pump. When you get it running, see how it starts when hot. If it won't start hot the pump hydraulic head has internal leaks due to wear. Heads are no longer around anymore.
 
Without knowing the history of the tractor I would change the oil and get it running first. Make sure you don't have a injector miss firing. May want to run it awhile and keep an eye on the oil level.
Make sure you have good battery cables. If you are using 2 six volts you should use 2/0 cable or 12 volt battery at least 1 gauge or heavier.

caseman-d
 
The pump leak into the oil is a cheap and easy fix. Or, you can just turn the fuel off when you're not running it. I STRONGLY suggest you thoroughly clean the tank and 1st stage filter (the wire mesh - even if it looks okay, it can be clogged with varnish) with alcohol/acetone mix, blow out the fuel lines with carb. cleaner, and replace the other two fuel filters. Then fill the tank all the way up with clean diesel and bleed according to the instructions in the owner's manual. If after doing all that you get it running and it misses a little, put a day or so of work on it before you start looking for more problems.

Oh, and if you clean the engine before you start, you're less likely to get junk in the fuel lines, which is not a good thing....
 
The seal that needs replacing is in the transferpump that bolts no the side of the injection pump, (PSB) style pumps. I have been using SKF seal# 4231, but most times the shaft has a groove wore into it. You can have a machine shop cut the hole deeper so the seal hits on a new spot of the gear shaft, this is the cheepest fix. Like others have said shutting the fuel off at the tank will help also. Be sure and change the oil, diesel dillutes it too much to use.
 
Thanks for the help guys. I'm going to get an IT manual for it and change some filters and do some fuel system cleaning while I'm waiting for the starter. I'll keep this thread updated as I go along. Went to the Rock river thresheree this past weekend and saw some really nice 400's and got motivated.

Last question is- This tractor has a hand pump and a valve (Kind of like a coleman lantern) mounted on the fuel tank. I'm assuming its for pressurizing the fuel system after service or running it out of fuel. Am I right in that assumption?
 
Its alive! I hooked up the starter, put a battery in it and jumped the solenoid (made sure it was in neutral first.) Fired right up. I only ran it long enough to pick up the bucket, tilt it, and set it back down. First tractor runs. Time to order brakes, gauges, seat torsion rubber, oil, filters, and a pump seal. Thanks for your help. When I figure out how to load a picture of it I will.
 

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