Replace engine or junk it?

Preface: Neither husband or I have mechanical skills or interest beyond doing the routine maintenance an engine needs. History: We got a '62 IH240 w/ a nice Koyker FE loader back in 2002. It was reliable, though not the easiest thing to get started. In '04 put all new tires on it. In '06 converted it to 12v and replaced hydraulic pump and all hoses. unfortunately the guy we picked to do this work turned out to be a bad choice. Kept the tractor about 3mos longer than he said he needed, kept delaying our pickup date saying he couldn't get it "right", etc. Finally we picked it up from the mechanic and hubby started driving it the 5mi trip home. Before he had gone 1 mile it completely overheated. Ba$tard mechanic gave it to us completely empty of all fluids, so we probably melted some things in that 1 mi. Long story short, the mechanic patched it together enough that we could get it home, but it's never really run since--overheats within 20-30min. Had both my gearhead dad and uncle work on it, to no avail. So, in the shed it sits. We paid I think $3000 initially, and have put about 1500 into it. We don't truly *need* it, but I really liked having the FEL and ability to pull stuff like old fencing out of the ground. Reliability will be critical if we're going to put more $ into it.
Is a replacement engine worth it? Just sell it for parts? WWYD?

In the terminology of the automobile sales market, you're already "upside down" in this tractor; that is, you've already got more in it than you'll probably ever get out of it.

So...what will it cost to replace it, vs. what it woould bring selling as-is? That's your net replacement cost. THEN figure what it would cost to replace the engine, assuming a worst-case scenario of a cracked block AND head. If it would cost less to fix it, I'd fix it...because you're NEVER going to have less in the tractor than what you've already invested, right?

And if it would be cheaper to replace it, then that's your answer. Just depends on the numbers you come up with. Some folks would tell you not to "throw good money after bad," but you already know you'll never break even on this one, no matter which way you decide to go...so do you "suk up" your investment to date and replace it, or do you "suk it up" and fix it?

Only YOU can answer whether repairing the tractor is worth it to YOU. Whether it's worth it to anyone else is immaterial, since THEY'RE not paying for whatever you do.

JMHO...void where prohibited, your mileage may vary, objects in mirror may be closer than they appear, and alcohol may intensify any side effects.

Talk your Dad and uncle into doing your overhaul for you.Crank probably needs turned,all new bearings,have head and block checked for major cracks while apart and if all is well or repairable,slap a sleeve and piston set in it.

when you say all fluids were left out; do you mean the radiator, the engine, the hydroulics and the gearboxes, or just the radiator??

Radiator. But there is something about the new hydraulic pump also. The reason the mechanic took so long to finish the job is that he couldn't get it to work without engine overheating. When he said it was ready to pickup, we assumed he had the problem fixed. Who knows, maybe he had already blown a gasket / cracked the head or block. My hunch is that there's no way around engine replacement if we're going to revive this thing. Any idea how much $ that usually runs? BTW thanks for all your input, I appreciate it.

I don't know if you were dealing with Cooter,
Egueor, Bubba or whoever, but from the information that you have given; the """"""mechanic"""""" was not qualified to do the diagnosis and repairs on your tractor.


1- How much damage to the engine?
Replace or Repair?
2- What is wrong with the hydroulics?
3-Is the radiator OK?
The only way to find out would be to have a QUALIFIED, EXPERIENCED, tractor lover, true mechanic or service technician do a diagnosis of the engine and radiator, and the hydroulic system..

I don't care to throw dollar figures around when it comes to such engine repairs without a complete diagnosis of the engine.. The engine may be complete crap or may be repairable at a reasonable cost... Don't know the answer.. Measurements with a compression tester, micrometers, a straight edge, bore gauge, telescopic gauges, dial indicators;;;; the use of magnaflux equipment to test for cracks,,, visual inspection of internal parts,,,,,,,,, this would be how you get the answers on whether or not it is feasible to repair the engine you have...

You could buy a used engine, and end up with a pile of crap not much better than what you have. You could also end up with a good engine,, find out what tests were done on it to insure that it is not a dud.. Oil pressure reading and compression test would help allot..

You could price out a complete remanufactured engine.

The hydroulics will still have to be diagnosed and repaired.

Inspect the clutch and replacce the transmission input shaft seals if the engine is removed.

How are the brakes and transmission? are they about due for repairs??


The final choice should not be made without consulting some of the pros in your area.

just remember, Cooter,
Equeor, or Bubba do not count,, nor does your former """""mechanic""""""
But, I think you may know that quite well by now..

Wish you the best of luck....

The 240 is a nice size and typically a pretty good tractor. You already have good rubber on it. I'd say fix it, because right now it's just like you don't have a tractor and I'm sure that you can repair/replace the engine as cheap or likely cheaper than another comparable tractor and loader. Another alternative would be to look for a good running C, SuperC, 200, or 240 model tractor and swap your loader onto it and keep the 240 for parts including the wheels and tires that will go right on any of these other tractors.Kip

BDT: Actually, the mechanic was some guy from Minnesota. I hear they all got the smarts real good up there. j/k This was a well-established full-time mechanic who advertised a specialty in old tractors. Didn't work out in this case but we had no reason to suspect that going in. Anyway I've got a call in to the ag dealer to have them flatbed the tractor to the shop and diagnose.
Thanks again for the advice