Oliver 550/ White 2-44 Engine Rebuild?

I have a White 2-44 with a loader and shuttle shift transmission. The radiator is leaking so I've pulled off the loader and opened everything up to get it fixed. I've noticed a lack of power so I ran a leak down test and was 30-40% leakage on each cylinder and all the leakage was through the rings to the oil pan.

The clutch has been slipping for a while so I'm afraid I my need to split the tractor to put in a new clutch. The clutch gets a lot of use with the shuttle shift and loader work.

Is it time to order a full engine rebuild kit or is it just rings and hone the cylinders?

If I have to split the tractor for the clutch is there anything else to do while it is split?

Thanks,

It sounds like you have a tired engine.

You have to decide how much the tractor is worth to you for what it does and how many $'s you want to invest in it. Check out the availability and cost of parts and labour depending on what you can do yourself and what you will need machined and then base you decision on that.

If you do decide to rebuild get an overhaul manual. A book is essential for disassembly and specs when reassembling.

Honing and new rings may help some but odds are the pistons and associated parts are worn as well. This would include bearings, wrist pins. sleeves. valves, seals, injectors (if its a diesel) etc. If the clutch needs replacing (disk and pressure plate) consider resurfacing the flywheel and a new throw-out and pilot bearing for sure.

Parts are not cheap but if you can do the labor yourself it may be worth it compared to replacing your tractor with a newer one. If it has to go to a shop, then with labor costs, you may not be able to justify the expense. Also remember to take into consideration you may need a few specialised tools.

I am in the process of overhauling my White 2-105 tractor engine, injectors, complete head rebuild, pistons, sleeves, bearings, seals, clutch, water pump' brakes and over under drive. I need to reseal the hydraulics as the old seals on the remote valves are leaking too.

When I rebuild an engine I like to do the best job possible so if it is taken care of it will last many years. I also have the tools required to do the job which makes a difference.

In my case, once completed, the 2-105 will be a tractor that will run well for another 40 plus years. I just won't be running it that long, but my sons might.

Just a few thoughts based on my experience. You can check out the comments and pictures I have posted on this site of my project if you are interested.

The best of luck.

Have a 1973 Oliver 550. Rebuilt/full restore in 2014. New radiator cost me $330 from Korves because mine was shot. Engine rebuild cost me about $800 in parts from Korves and $1200 in work from local machine
shop. Good Luck!

It depends on how much you use or need a PTO, but when I did mine the PTO clutch needed attention badly.

If im tearing apart the top end I go ahead and inspect all crank bearings and Mic the crank. while im that far,,,,I usually just put new bearings in the bottom if the crank is good,,,,its so easy to do it at that point anyway.