'53 Super MD

Hello,

My name is Dan and I am a very proud new Super MD owner. My wifes Grandfather gave this to myself and my boys to keep in the family. It seems to be in pretty good shape, but has a few issues to go along with a few questions.

1. The tractor starts really good on gas and idles good. On diesel it has a miss which is load dependent and pretty much disappears under load. It almost sounds like it could be too much timing. The exhaust cleans up good but I do notice it will puff some white here and there when going down a hill, this could be normal. When I try to shut it down on gas, it dies.

2. Small water leak at the bottom passenger side of radiator at the seam on the piece where the bottom hose attaches. Should I try a stop leak or see about getting it repaired or replace or just not worry about it?

3. Gas shut off valve/sediment bowl is leaking. Where can I get one of these?

4. Tractor leaks a drop a second only while running at what looks to be the rear main or rear crank seal area. My grandfather said it uses oil, but I think it may just be this leak. I checked the oil level and see that the oil is to the top of the last L in FULL which is way over the FULL LINE. Could it just be overfilled? The blowby looks fine.

Sorry to be long winded. I am totally new to this and would like to do it right.

Thanks,
Dan

1 - I have to switch mine back and forth a couple times because the carb will loose it's gas while on diesel. Mine will miss a little until really warm. It probably isn't perfect, but I have already had the head done and the injectors done and it still puffs a little white here and there when cold.

2 - Stop leak is dumb. Fix it right or leave it. Any good radiator shop can fix up the leak for you. Replacement radiators are another option, but pricey and I have heard mixed reviews about their fit and finish.

3 - Technically the MD's fuel bowl is different. Not sure who has the correct one. You could try OEM. If it is just leaking and the shutoff you could tighten up the packing or replace the packing. If it is leaking where the bowl meets the top casting you could replace the gasket.

4 - Mine was actually the rear main seal retainer warping. It is made of white metal and had deformed between the bolt holes. You never know, it could be overfilling itself. When mine had bad injectors it would make it's own oil.

Did Grandpa also give you an owner's manual?
If not you need to get one.
Try a new bowl gasket, and new packing on the sediment assembly.

I ordered a couple of manuals last night.

Are the packing and gaskets available through the implement dealer?

Thanks,
Dan

yes