1953 Case VAC Engine issue

Bill_Bier

Member
Hello,
I have a 1953 case vac.
We were cutting some heavy brush, when the engine suddenly seized up. After troubleshooting, I noticed the distributor rotor was not turning, and the cam not moving. I removed the distributor, it turns by hand. I did not notice any "chewed up gears. I don"t think this engine has a timing chain, right? What would cause the camshaft not to turn? Right now, the dang thing is stuck WAY out in a field in the middle of no where.
 
The front end of the camshaft is HOLLOW to accommodate part of the governor.

The camshafts commonly break there.
 
You have to remove the front cover (and likely the pan, if for no other reason that to dump out any debris from the broken parts).

The rocker arms need to be undone, and the push rods removed.

The tappets need to be held off of the cam for it's removal, and likely should be replaced. Having the engine upside-down on an engine stand makes all that a lot easier!

Look at the upper left corner of this page... this very site sells manuals.
 
There were quite a few manuals listed. Any ideas on which is which?
Also, do you think it could be a timing gear, instead of the CAM? Finally, any idea on where to get a camshaft for a 1953?
 
Try external_link.com great company with fast shipping good prices . Mr Saeli specializes in Case parts. If you search the web there is a site to download a case vai parts manual for free. good luck
 
Bill, the crankand cam are gear driven.What I would do is remove the spark plug ,remove the valve cover and back off the the tappets . Then try to see if it will turn over. You used the word seized ,so it could be a bearing. Just my thoughts.
Jerry from Ohio
 
Thanks
Seized might be the wrong word, my son was on it. He said it made a funny noise and stopped suddenly.

Pretty sure its not a bearing, so i guess if i see the crank moving, its most probably the Cam shaft.
Would you consider that "big jog"? i've never rebuilt an engine, but i can good at learning new (and fun) stuff.
 
Pull the timing gear cover, the gear train looks like the pic.

Joe
a164866.jpg
 
My '48 did the same thing several years ago, and it turned out to be a broken timing gear. The hub broke away from the outside part of the cam gear with no other damage to anything else. I removed both pieces and brazed the hub back in. It is still holding.
 
George,

I've never worked on internal engine in a long time, but i think i am up to the task. What holds the timing gears in place? Just use a gear puller to remove?
Do you suggest any manuals?
 

Under the governor cup in the timing gear shown above there is a nut with a lock tab, Once cup and nut are removed it should come right off with a little help. I would not be surprised if your VAC had the ball type governor but the procedure is the same.
If needed, any cam up through the 159 CID at least are a drop in. I am not sure about the 164 CID but suspect it will fit as well.

mEl
 
Bob

indeed it was the hollow part of the camshaft that broke.
You stated Back off the tappets
Can you explain how to do that?
THanks
 
I seen this posted on one of the sites,dont know too much about it.... a website that has downloaded a va manual to share, hope it helps till you get a manual

http://imageevent.com/skipjack/vamanuals/group2engine
 

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