Ford 4500 TLB; seals on transmissin and main seals on engine

Hi Folks,

I a have a 1971 Ford 4500 3 cyl. diesel tractor and I am in the process of replacing the engine with one from a 1973 4500. When I pulled the original engine I noticed a 1/4" layer of dirt and grease along with about an 1/8" of hydro fluid and some water in the bottom of the bell housing.

The weep hole was completely blocked so I don't know for how many years this has been building up. My question is; is this typical or should I be concerned? Should I replace the seal on the transmission case or output shaft of the transmission and if so how difficult is it? It is a 6/4 Type K transmission with only 1 output shaft for the clutch disc.

I will replace the clutch disc (13"; 10 spline), but should I also consider replacing the pressure plate assembly? It seems to be fine, but I think it might be the original as it is a Borg & Beck from England. What about the release bearing and hub (greaser) as it seems to be in good shape. It looks like it can only be replaced as one whole unit and I only see New Holland selling it at a price of $662 at Messicks.

Along the same lines since I have the engine out I would like to replace the front and rear main seals on the engine. I have never done this before on any engine so I don't know how difficult it will be after the flywheel and front crankshaft pulley are off. How difficult will it be and is it a good idea to do?

Thanks,
Ray

I never split a 3 cylinder tractor without
Replacing the rear engine seal and the
front seal on the transmission.
I also replace the soft plugs in the back
of the head and block.
I've seen those soft plugs rust through
twice now so I just automatically do it.
As for the pressure plate that depends a
lot on the type of disc that was in there
before. A lot of those industrials used a
3 or 4 cornered metal clutch disc and
those really ate into both the PP and
flywheel and you will need to resurface
the flywheel and replace the PP.
If you have the regular type of disc you
might get by reusing the old one.
Others here will probably weigh in on
reusing it too

Thanks; how difficult is it to replace the front seal on the front of the 6 speed tranny and the front and rear main seals on the engine? Are any special tools needed?

Not hard to do the front tranny seal. You
have to pull the clutch cross shaft out
then pull the nose cone off and have at
it. Drain the oil in the tranny down
first.
And not hard to replace the rear engine
seal either. Remember to always put the
spring side of the seal towards the oil.
The front engine seal is a whole nother
ball game.
You have to drop the front axle out, then
slide the bolster forward - dealing with
the side frames and hydraulic pump and
lines along the way. Then remove the front
timing cover to replace seal from the
inside.
Big job.