Farmall MD engine swap

TNFarmallMD · Jul 10, 2015

Hello guys, I'm new here, and I'm looking to get some pointers and advice on an engine swap that I'm about to do in my Farmall MD. I'm looking to put a D-281 engine in it, while I'm at it, I'd like to replace the clutch. My question is, do I purchase a clutch for an MD, or one that fits a Farmall 450? Also any other tricks of the trade while doing the swap would be appreciated.
Thank you!
Chad

D Slater · Jul 10, 2015

Unless you have a real late MD and want to keep the liftall unit you use the MD flywheel and 11 inch clutch. If the D-281 has the flywheel and you have a late liftall or none use a SM 12 inch clutch. Need to run fuel lives different and the D-281 from a tractor won't have the friction parts for the throttle position. Choke may be a little different depending on carburetors but no problem. Tractor D-281 manifold has different electrical switch than a MD. MD grounds in diesel mode and a D-281 is open in diesel mode and closed in gas mode.

TNFarmallMD · Jul 10, 2015

(quoted from post at 14:29:27 07/10/15) Unless you have a real late MD and want to keep the liftall unit you use the MD flywheel and 11 inch clutch. If the D-281 has the flywheel and you have a late liftall or none use a SM 12 inch clutch. Need to run fuel lives different and the D-281 from a tractor won't have the friction parts for the throttle position. Choke may be a little different depending on carburetors but no problem. Tractor D-281 manifold has different electrical switch than a MD. MD grounds in diesel mode and a D-281 is open in diesel mode and closed in gas mode.

Can I use the friction parts for the throttle, and the fuel lines from the old D-248 engine that was in the tractor? I'm not sure what you mean by lift all unit. Are you talking about the hitch?

sflem849 · Jul 10, 2015

(quoted from post at 14:35:20 07/10/15)

(quoted from post at 14:29:27 07/10/15) Unless you have a real late MD and want to keep the liftall unit you use the MD flywheel and 11 inch clutch. If the D-281 has the flywheel and you have a late liftall or none use a SM 12 inch clutch. Need to run fuel lives different and the D-281 from a tractor won't have the friction parts for the throttle position. Choke may be a little different depending on carburetors but no problem. Tractor D-281 manifold has different electrical switch than a MD. MD grounds in diesel mode and a D-281 is open in diesel mode and closed in gas mode.

Click to expand...

Can I use the friction parts for the throttle, and the fuel lines from the old D-248 engine that was in the tractor? I'm not sure what you mean by lift all unit. Are you talking about the hitch?

The lift-all is the hydraulic pump assembly.

TNFarmallMD · Jul 10, 2015

(quoted from post at 15:54:28 07/10/15)

(quoted from post at 14:35:20 07/10/15)

(quoted from post at 14:29:27 07/10/15) Unless you have a real late MD and want to keep the liftall unit you use the MD flywheel and 11 inch clutch. If the D-281 has the flywheel and you have a late liftall or none use a SM 12 inch clutch. Need to run fuel lives different and the D-281 from a tractor won't have the friction parts for the throttle position. Choke may be a little different depending on carburetors but no problem. Tractor D-281 manifold has different electrical switch than a MD. MD grounds in diesel mode and a D-281 is open in diesel mode and closed in gas mode.

Click to expand...

Can I use the friction parts for the throttle, and the fuel lines from the old D-248 engine that was in the tractor? I'm not sure what you mean by lift all unit. Are you talking about the hitch?

Click to expand...

The lift-all is the hydraulic pump assembly.

Ok, yes, I will keep the lift all on it. Mine is a 1947 model. Do you think it will be a problem with the throttle? Can I put it back the way it was on the original engine and it work fine? Or will I have to modify it? Also, do you have any tips on the engine installation to make the process go smooth? I've never done one of these, and I don't want to mess it up lol

D Slater · Jul 10, 2015

Yes you can change the parts over to use the MD type throttle. Best to get a manual because you have to change parts at the cross shaft going from left to right side of the engine. Adjustments will be needed and a manual will give what needs adjusted or set. If no parts were changed in the past the D281 has a injection pump with only two lines to the primary pump on rear of injection pump. MD was equipped with a primary pump and scavenging pump combined with 3 lines. Need to tie the return to tank where the D281 was at pump. IH made parts, fuel line or lines was part of them, to change MD tractors to B type pumps so there is a chance your MD was changed in the past.

jim warehime · Jul 10, 2015

What is your reason for swapping the engine?

TNFarmallMD · Jul 10, 2015

Jim, I'm changing engines because the one that's in it is seized up, and I can't find another 248 engine. I've run across a 281 that's fairly reasonable.

Thank you for the info. I'll be sure to ask for assistance on here as I'm installing the engine. I'm sure I'll run into a few snags.

Janicholson · Jul 10, 2015

The 12 inch clutch is desirable. as is live hydraulics. The newer engine should have a live hydraulic pump. The 12 inch clutch and flywheel will not fit using the older Liftall pump. Using the liftall space for a hand fabricated reservoir, or using a reservoir from a later tractor with Live hydro will work. Jim

TNFarmallMD · Jul 11, 2015

That's why I'm going back with an 11" clutch Jim, to avoid the extra trouble.

jim warehime · Jul 11, 2015

Be sure to keep original engine. If you ever
sell tractor include it in case someone
wants to restore it and use original engine.

Janicholson · Jul 11, 2015

A heavy duty PP is needed to accept the added torque. In my opinion semi metallic (not ceramic) driven disks will provide good holding power as well as life in rough service. Ceramicis too jerkry and wears the metal of the FW and PP dramatically. Jim

TNFarmallMD · Jul 11, 2015

(quoted from post at 06:48:35 07/11/15) A heavy duty PP is needed to accept the added torque. In my opinion semi metallic (not ceramic) driven disks will provide good holding power as well as life in rough service. Ceramicis too jerkry and wears the metal of the FW and PP dramatically. Jim

Where would be the best place to get one? And is there a certain one in particular that you recommend?

TNFarmallMD · Jul 11, 2015

(quoted from post at 05:59:42 07/11/15) Be sure to keep original engine. If you ever
sell tractor include it in case someone
wants to restore it and use original engine.

The tractor will never be sold, it was my grandpa's.

sflem849 · Jul 11, 2015

(quoted from post at 11:39:46 07/11/15)

(quoted from post at 05:59:42 07/11/15) Be sure to keep original engine. If you ever
sell tractor include it in case someone
wants to restore it and use original engine.

Click to expand...

The tractor will never be sold, it was my grandpa's.

Then keep it for yourself or if you want the correct engine....

TNFarmallMD · Jul 11, 2015

That's what I'm going to do, it's going to cost way more to rebuild that engine than to buy a good running engine to swap out. I've tried for over 4 months to get the original engine to break loose without any luck. I just hope this will be a fairly easy swap.

Janicholson · Jul 11, 2015

Some claim to be Heavy duty, But contacting a rebuilder or supplier might get a more robust clutch.. Getting a Super M Liftall and a 12 inch clutch is best Jim

TNFarmallMD · Jul 12, 2015

I'm having a time finding a super M liftall Jim. I found a guy that has been building IH clutches for years, as long as he builds a heavy duty 11" clutch, do you think it will be ok?

D Slater · Jul 12, 2015

Probably be okay with a good clutch. Some have run hopped up M tractors with 11 inch clutches making more power than the D281 will.
Externally the MD and D281 block is the same size. You could use the MD fuel pump or other parts on the D-281 if wanted. May need to adjust the fuel pump setting for best results if used with 281 injectors. Line hookup to pump is different on some though. One thing to look out for is the ignition drive housing bolt patterns could be different. Pretty sure it was later than your tractor when the bolt pattern was changed to be the same as a D-281. If going to use ignition without a engine driven hydraulic pump you need a housing to fit the D-281. Also the MD injection pump was vented to the intake pipe and the 450 pump wasn't.

TNFarmallMD · Jul 12, 2015

(quoted from post at 18:18:40 07/12/15) Probably be okay with a good clutch. Some have run hopped up M tractors with 11 inch clutches making more power than the D281 will.
Externally the MD and D281 block is the same size. You could use the MD fuel pump or other parts on the D-281 if wanted. May need to adjust the fuel pump setting for best results if used with 281 injectors. Line hookup to pump is different on some though. One thing to look out for is the ignition drive housing bolt patterns could be different. Pretty sure it was later than your tractor when the bolt pattern was changed to be the same as a D-281. If going to use ignition without a engine driven hydraulic pump you need a housing to fit the D-281. Also the MD injection pump was vented to the intake pipe and the 450 pump wasn't.

I'm getting the complete engine, so I plan on installing it without using any parts from the MD, with the exception of the clutch and flywheel and throttle. So I'm hoping that works. I guess I'll just block off the hydraulic pump on the 281 engine.

TNFarmallMD · Jul 12, 2015

Thank all of you for your input, I'm sure I'll have other questions when I actually get the engine here, and get started. I wished I could've found a good running D248 engine for sale, but I'm sure using a 281 engine will not be too hard of a swap.

Janicholson · Jul 12, 2015

Do not block it off, put a loop hose intake to pressure, and fill with Hytran.. Failure to do this will result in pump failure and that is not good. Jim

TNFarmallMD · Jul 12, 2015

Ok, thank you Jim

kub6040 · Jul 12, 2015

You could remove it ?

TNFarmallMD · Jul 12, 2015

(quoted from post at 19:37:05 07/12/15) You could remove it ?

Again I'm new at this, if I can remove it, I'd rather do that. If I remove it, will the distributor bolt back up, and everything can be timed correctly?

TNFarmallMD · Jul 12, 2015

Hey guys, I thought I'd let you all know that I've located a guy that can get me a 12 inch clutch that he says will clear the belly pump.

sully231 · Jul 13, 2015

Be sure to rig up for heavy lifting and be safe. I just hauled a TD-6 engine for my brother to install in his WD-6. The engine alone weighed 1700#.

TNFarmallMD · Jul 13, 2015

I figured the engine would be heavy, but I never dreamed that thing would be that heavy. I'll probably use my loader tractor to lift the engine to install it, because I don't have any hoists that will support a load that heavy.

Janicholson · Jul 13, 2015

No, you need to find a MD distributor drive housing and gear. There are illustrations of what you need in the on line parts manual. *which caseih.com has improved a great deal. Jim

TNFarmallMD · Jul 13, 2015

Again Jim, you are a lifesaver. I found one on link_disallowed, part # IHS3112, only problem is, it fits several models including the MD, will you look at this please, and tell me if this is what I need?

D Slater · Jul 13, 2015

You need the housing with gear that replaces the hydraulic pump. Used on models without engine mounted hydraulic pumps. Bolts to the front cover with 4 bolts and has a two bolt flange on rear to mount a distributor or magneto. Probably have to find used. Used on later MD tractors, SMD, SWD6 and any D-264 or D-281 without a engine mounted hydraulic pump. Housing will have number 261206R1 on it and started on MD tractors with engine # 19282 and higher.
Your MD will have the housing between the magneto and the front cover but have # 8224 D or DA and a different bolt pattern to front cover than the D-281.

TNFarmallMD · Jul 13, 2015

So, If I can find that housing, I won't have to change the front cover right?

TNFarmallMD · Jul 13, 2015

By the way DSlater, you are a wealth of knowledge, thank you very much for all of your input and advice.

Farmall MD engine swap

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