What to do? What to do?

I'll try to keep this brief...

I "inherited" an 1800 gas about 17 years ago. It was a feedwagon tractor and had lost oil pressure. The previous owners didn't think it was worth the price of a crank shaft, so they let me have it. The motor was taken apart and now I'm not sure if all the parts are still around. I found a complete 283 gas that needs some work to get running, and brought it home. The tractor is currently about 2 hours away from home. I got a chance to run back there this past weekend to take an inventory of what all I'll need to put this thing back together and noticed it's got checkerboard on the grille and the side panels. I've been thinking it was an 1800B this whole time! So, I've got a couple questions for everyone...

Specification Number: 18-1112
Serial Number: 111 307 886
Sheet metal is decent, but needs paint.

Is this a true 1800A?
What year is it?
Will the 283 that I pulled from a 1750 still fit?
Would it be worth it to find a 265 to put it back to stock?
Maybe I should just cut my losses and part everything out?

Thanks guys! I appreciate any info and/or opinions you all have - you guys are the experts!

First of all it is an 1800A series made in early 1961. The 1750 engine will bolt right in, same size as an 1800B series engine. What do you intend to use the tractor for? You have a phone number?

Thanks for the information. I see some tractors called A-series once in a while that are not A-Series, so I like to be sure before I go calling it something it's not.

So, I may keep this tractor or I may sell it. To keep it, I'd have to like it better than my 1650, so, I'll likely end up selling it. I can't afford to keep them both, even if I'd like to.

However, if I did keep it, it would just serve loader duty on my small acreage with an occasional antique pull or plow-day if they're close enough.

Send me an e-mail address and I will make a pro and con list for each one. Is your 1650 a gas. diesel and then early or late?

   Guys, easy way to identify the 1800/1900 series tractors:[b:654c4848f0] "A" [/b:654c4848f0]series had the checkerboard decal on the hood sides and the throttle on the steering column.   [b:654c4848f0]"B"[/b:654c4848f0] series have the placard (some call it a spear) on the hood sides and throttle on the steering column. [b:654c4848f0]"C"[/b:654c4848f0] series have the placard on hood sides and the throttle on the dash.

   The company had a manager that liked the checkerboard design and applied it to the early 1800/1900s.   He left the company and worked for Ralston Purena company and used the checkerboard on their products.   The placard came from Cockshutt tractors being one of only few items used from Cockshutt.   "C" series used the tiltable steering column thus couldn't use the steering throttle and was moved to the dash.

J. Schwiebert, Thanks for the help and the offer, and please don't take this the wrong way, but I like having the information on the forum for all to see. Like I said, please don't take offence, I just assume if I have questions, someone else probably has similar questions. And, I like to have multiple opinions.

So, anyway, I've got an earlier 1650 gas with a high speed rear end (which is great!). I've got Pertronix in the dizzy and I just did new plugs, wires, cap, rotor, hoses, filters, etc... last summer. I've also upgraded the lights, front and back, for conspicuity as well as visibility when plowing snow at night, in blizzards, etc... It runs great even though the carb could use a rebuild.

So, as for the 1800, I really like the A-series, but I use my 1650 pretty often for loader and mowing and I don't want to sacrifice functionality (hydraulics, high-speed rear, brakes, etc...) just for the sake of having an A-series. I'd part it out if there's enough demand for the parts (sacrifice 1 to save 2 or 3), but I'd really like to put it back together. I guess my biggest dilemma is should I try to find a 265 to put in it to keep it original (is it worth more that way) or should I just get this 283 running and put it in there.

I like that story! If I remember right his name was Jack Streetman. He also had developed some kind of program to honor dealers for doing good. My employer was one of the first to receive that award. Years later I was in the local Co-op and they had a plaque from Purena on the counter for some kind of award. The mans name on the plaque: Jack Streetman. I have been trying to think today while I was mowing the lawn What the name of the award was and I have not thought of it yet. Thanks for the story. J.

Ha! Yeah! That is very interesting. Makes me wonder how many other stories like that are out there.

What all is wrong with the 1800 A engine? Does it have a hydra-power, old style steering, tires, etc?

sure sounds DIZZY what ever that is.

(reply to post at 20:23:36 07/29/15)

Click to expand...

Ha! Yeah! To much time in the performance auto parts business. Dizzy = Distributor.

(reply to post at 19:10:01 07/29/15)

Click to expand...

The original 1800 engine lost oil pressure and damaged the crankshaft. The engine was taken apart and has sat for around 17 years now, in a building, but with a leaky roof. Pretty sure it would need bored and a complete rebuild kit. I'm honestly not even sure if I could find all the parts either.
The tires are not great, but neither are the ones on my 1650. Both my 1650 and the 1800 are narrow front. My 1650 has the char-lynn power steering and I'm not sure on the 1800. Did they ever come with mechanical steering, because I don't see a shaft anywhere. Both 1650 and 1800 have working (last known) hydra-power. 1650 has dual speed PTO, but the 1800 doesn't appear to. Sheet metal is about equal between them - not great, but not bad. Oh, and, the seat is much better shape than on the 1800 (it's shot).

Wow. OK. After going through that list, I'm really leaning toward keeping the 1650. However, I still don't know if I should build this 1800 with the 283 I got, or if I should try to find a 265 for it. Or if I should part it out. Would I get thrown in jail if I put the 265 from my 1650 in it and put the 283 (if I got it running) in my 1650?

As far as noggin-scratchers go, this is a dilly of a pickle.

Victory!
I unstuck the 283 gas I had incorrectly bought for the 1800 that I thought was a B but turned out to be an A.

Somewhat unconventional method...
I've been soaking the cylinders in 50/50 ATF/Acetone for a few weeks now. Kept trying to turn by hand, no luck. I read about people using grease guns fitted to hollowed out spark plugs to apply even pressure to the piston. I thought getting all the grease out would be quite a chore, especially if it didn't work! So, I thought hydraulic fluid might be a better option. So, I welded a 3/4" pipe coupler to a spark plug non-fouler and hooked up a hydraulic hose. Plugged that into my 1650. I thought it was #6 that was stuck, so I hooked it up to that first. Applied pressure and very slight crankshaft movement. Moved to #5, less movement, #4 less, #3 hardly any, #2 no perceivable movement, #1 - POP!

Switched to manual mode after that. Couple bolts in the flywheel and a long bar back and forth for about an hour and got it to turn a full revolution. Hooked up a starter and it spins freely now!

Just thought I'd share in case anyone else has a stuck engine they've been working on.

I freed a Farmall Regular that way. A Deere A provided the hydraulic pressure. I could have done damage but I lucked out.