478 Herc questions

Herb Mb · Dec 31, 2014

I recently looked at a '77 2-135. Shows near 7000 hrs and the owner doesn't think the herc has ever been rebuilt. Seems to start good, runs smooth, and doesn't smoke (just driving it around)- some blowby but not bad. Wasn't able to run it under load.
Never had one of these engines but have read about their issues here. Rings breaking etc? Did any of them even make it to 7000 without an overhaul?
Kinda wondering if it had a rebuild in it's earlier days that he doesn't know about...
Tractor I'm looking for won't see many hours per year - 3 pt blade, snowblower, some pto work.
I like the old whites but I'm a bit leery of the herc due to the high cost to rebuild.
Those of you who know these engines, anything in particular you do to evaluate engine condition?
Herb

rrlund · Dec 31, 2014

I overhauled mine at close to 10,000 hours. I don't know if it was done before or not. Mine broke a ring or two and started with one heck of a blowby when I was running the chopper filling silo. I tore it down and then got the parts I needed from Agco without buying a whole engine kit. I ended up with just over $1800 in to pistons,sleeves,rod bearings,main bearings and gaskets. That thing starts like a dream now. I sure don't have any complaints.

Mitch Poindexter · Dec 31, 2014

We have five Hercs on the farm, 3 of them worked hard regularly, 1 has over 10,000 hrs with no rebuild as far as I know (but having said that, it has enough blowby to fog the county and needs rebuilt). Have very little money in them, they owe us nothing, yet will run all day everyday when required. They're old and ugly, but nearly bulletproof, and I can't convince dad to trade any of them off. So instead I've started collecting motors and parts and will fix them as they go. If you're diligent, you can find military deuce and a half motors for nearly nothing and then you'll have a cheap spare, which will help a lot.

Dieseltech · Dec 31, 2014

I overhauled a 2-155 years ago, found military new old stock sleeve sets and crank bearings at Memphis Equipment in Tennessee that beat Agco bad at the time on price. It ran fine until one spring two years later, the crank broke at the # 4 rod. Still ran OK above 1500 but had a dull knock below 1500. Put in a military used crank, found that crank had thicker, heavier webbing than the original crank had. If it ever gets torn down again I'd like to see the mechanics face when he sees the date on the bearing shells. How did 1968 shells get in a 1979 tractor??

Al Baker(pumpman) · Dec 31, 2014

I too have seen one come into my shop with a broken crank and still running. Owner kept using it until the work was done. Said it knocked for about 2 weeks! They were built when meat was cheap, so lots of iron in them. I have one on my farm in a 2-135 series 3. Smooth running engine that starts well in cold temps, but loves fuel. My 2 bits,,, Al

Herb Mb · Jan 2, 2015

Thanks guys!
Good to know that it need not necessarily be overly costly to repair the 478, and that there are other options (military engines/parts).
Did some reading on the LD/LDT 465 engines that the military used. I'd heard these described as multi fuel engines, but didn't know how that worked till now - very interesting stuff...
Herb

Herb Mb · Jan 2, 2015

Thanks guys!
Good to know that it need not necessarily be overly costly to repair the 478, and that there are other options (military engines/parts).
Did some reading on the LD/LDT 465 engines that the military used. I'd heard these described as multi fuel engines, but didn't know how that worked till now - very interesting stuff...
Herb

478 Herc questions

Herb Mb

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rrlund

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Mitch Poindexter

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Dieseltech

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Al Baker(pumpman)

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Herb Mb

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Herb Mb

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