Vaporizer for a '55 850

Hello - I'm new to the forum and to older tractors. Last fall I picked up a '55 850 LP with a front loader and bush hog. It was running great - actually still does. This past winter I while I was clearing snow it began to leak propane. I parked it and just got a chance to look at it.

Turning on the propane you can hear it leaking and when you take off the radiator cap, you can smell the propane. So I'm pretty sure the Vaporizer is leaking into the water jacket. Are rebuild kits available for them? I haven't been able to find anything on them so far.

Thanks - Tom

Might be a factory model vaporizer, so I'm not sure if those are different, but if by chance its an Impco Model J or similar, like on my converted '55 850 LP, yes there is a rebuild kit, I've done it once already, probably a diaphragm. See if you can find out what kind, model etc., forklift outfit may have it, but once you see what model/mfr., check on the web, ebay etc. I got hosed by the local forklift outfit, needed the kit and they totally ripped me off, when I saw these were $30 or so on the web, nailed me for $160, always a crook somewhere, I made sure to let them know about it too. For that matter, if the plumbing is the same, I've seen these new, very reasonable but you have to confirm the plumbing is the same.

Thanks for the reply. I think it is factory but I'm not sure. How would I know if the tractor is converted to LP or if it came that way? It's serial number is 73079 which puts it in the '55 year but the propane tank tag has 57 as the year it was manufactured.

Is there a trick to getting the vaporizer out? I've gotten the flexible line disconnected, the bolt at the bottom loosened, and the vaporizer loosened. I'm having a difficult time getting any tools in between the vaporizer and the regulator to disconnect from the hose.

Mine uses a 30lb forklift LP tank, has an Impco model J on it.

From a brief review of page 140 of the Ford Shop Manual, it states there are 2 versions of vaporizers, early and late type, and the system has a pressure regulator as well. You will need the book on this, appears to be serviceable, but I am not sure about the parts availability, possible to look it up on the CNH (new holland) website, see if they offer anything, hopefully someone on this forum may know, and its as simple to rebuild as the model J Impco I have on mine.

The tank and system would be unique to the tractor, post a photo, and we will know for sure.

I actually need to rebuild or service mine again, it freezes/frosts up, coolant passages might be clogged, had to use stop leak in the cooling system as I believe I have a porous block, this one has the strangest coolant leak, does not leak nearly as much as it did, not a head gasket either, oil stays clean, hot coolant is what makes vapor, so in the winter, until she stalls and sputters, with a furniture blanket over the hood, the heat finally works and it runs fine, this is worse when the tank is full, not so bad when its 1/2 or less. Your tank should not be removable, well for filling at least and it should have a data tag on it, the book shows it.

Here are some scans or photos I took out of my book years ago.

If I remember right factory vaporizers were in the thermostat housing. After market would not be.

I have the same manual. I believe mine is the early type. Here are a couple of pics.



The vaporizer and water jacket.



The tank is stamped with 1957.



Tractor serial 73079.

Makes sense... so this one would be factory.

I think so, the conversion on mine with the model J Impco, is independent of the thermostat housing.

Looks like a nice one, whats interesting is that maybe it was converted with factory and or factory correct parts, given the year on the tank and possibly the serial number. I'm not sure what designates them as LP, ie; prefix or suffix in the serial number, thought they did mark them as LP though. Either or, has to be a soft part in that system leaking, or would seem to be, still not sure regarding parts for these particular LP models. Again, nice one, ford loader with a modern bucket, like mine, probably wish it had power steering. Engine oil stays real clean in LP models, one advantage and if you run inside a building, mine is a bit of a franken-850 being converted.

Everything looks the same as in the book. The 'hood' appears odd though in that it is rough cut. Doesn't appear to be factory. Though I've seen here and other places that sheet metal often gets replaced.

The loader is a Ford 703. The farmer who owned the tractor made the bucket for it. You're right about the power steering... I looked into it. There's a fellow in OK that makes an outfit for it. Would be nice to have.

My neighbor was giving me a hand on it last night. We were looking into pulling the tank off to get at the vaporizer. That too is challenging. Might be easier to pull the thermostat housing (water jacket) to disconnect it from the regulator. Not sure yet.

There would be"L" after model number if factory.The factory parts are no more. Do as others have put Imco vaporizer on it.

The factory LP system was not offered until 1957 so there is no way a 1955 tractor left the factory with LP and that is why the model number is not 850-L. However that is a factory LP system that someone has installed on this 1955 model tractor.

The factory hood cut was somewhat rough but it was covered with a piece of rubber U channel weatherstripping.

(quoted from post at 20:30:54 06/18/14) The factory LP system was not offered until 1957 so there is no way a 1955 tractor left the factory with LP and that is why the model number is not 850-L. However that is a factory LP system that someone has installed on this 1955 model tractor.

Click to expand...

Or someone swapped a transmission from a 1955 850 into a 1957 factory LP tractor.

Thanks guys. Makes sense on the rough cut - definitely missing the gasket. Had no idea LP didn't start until 57.

I did get the water jacket and vaporizer off but haven't gotten them apart. They're frozen up pretty good.



I'll start looking for info on putting an Impco vaporizer on it.

Tom

That is indeed a possibility.