JD 4240 in frame overhaul, any tips or tricks for a newbie?

Farmer1715

New User
So my main tractor (JD 4240) has lost a lot of power over the last year, overheats quickly, and blows blueish smoke at startup. I put it aside when it started happening and I believe it needs an overhaul.
I asked a my local tractor repair and they quoted me around 10,000$ to do an overhaul on it, I can't afford that at the moment but I have to have this tractor running for spring.
I'm considering doing an inframe overhaul myself, with the kit (~1500$)
My question is do you think that a newbie like me could tackle this big of a job? I do most of my older vehicle and tractor repairs myself, rebuilding carbs, distributers and all that little stuff. My dad and I are very mechanically inclined and can figure most things out after some trial and error. I have lots of tools and a big shop to do this in.
do you have any tips or tricks to doing overhauls that I should take note of? is this too big of a for someone whos never taken apart an engine this far before? any specific things to take note of when disassembling/reassembling?
any input would be appreciated
 
1-800-522-7448 for the service manual. Who wants to guess the specs, do the work, spend the money and then have to do the work over again?
You could try a new set of injectors , check injection pump timing and advance. Then install new air filters before the tear down.
Number of hours?
As for the over heating. I'll bet case of beer that the fan pulley and the alternator pulley and belts are all worn. The rad will be externally 1/2 plugged with oily mud and manure that can only be removed by removing all the sheet metal , cowling etc.
Did anybody ever add tap water with minerals to the cooling system ? There could be a layer of scale inside the cooling system. Use distilled water and new diesel antifreeze.
Some head bolts are reusable and others stretch which will result in head gasket failures.
This is the time to replace the front dampener and the water pump.
Careful grinding valves and seats . If they are sunk compression drops and cold weather starting will be lousy. There are various combinations of pistons and head gaskets to raise compression.
A pro properly rebuilding an engine for $10,0000 doesn't have very much left to pay his expenses and wages after parts and machine shop bills are paid.
 
I've already got a service manual, I'll definitely look into replacing that stuff.
its got 144,612 hours,
ok ive removed the sheet metal before so ill take it apart and look into that.
I'm sure the previous owner added tap water to it, ill be sure to flush it and use distilled water
well when i got the quote it wasnt for a rebuild it was only for an overhaul, not a full engine rebuild.
thanks for the input
 
I think you need to do much more diagnosis before doing an engine overhaul. Overheating is not likely to be an overhaul issue. Blue smoke might be, but do a compression check first, timing, injectors, etc. Make sure the air and fuel systems are working within specs. Don"t throw parts at it without verifying what the issues are. If an overhaul is justified, invest in the service manual for advice, methods, and specs. Consider your needed tool investment as well.
 
If the inside of the cooling system is scaled up. Some coolant system solvent may clean some of the minerals out.
If the engine is apart it will need an oil pump .
Cams, followers and drive gears will wear too.

Make certain that crank dampener doesn"t have rotten or loose rubber. A broken crank can occur.
I"m wondering if new injectors, pump timing , new filters, 50wt oil and cooling system work. It maybe enough to get another few years out of her for a minimal investment.
By the time you add the price of a proper rebuild to the trade value of the tractor. It"s a fair chunk of the cost of a new tractor with warrenty.
You know your situation the best and what will be worth the most in 10yrs time. Time to pencil out the pros and cons.
 
ok i was assuming that part of the overheating may be that some piston rings were shot, but i will definitely do some more diagnosing and try to find a good route to take
 
The overhaul kit is the down payment. I would not tear it apart unless you are willing to spend $6K on parts and machine work.

You can put $1000-$2000 in the head alone.
 
Only reason I say to diagnose more before throwing parts is cuz over the years I"ve been here I"ve seen so many guys waste $$$ without fixing anything. Wasn"t running right, so replace the injector pump, etc. A grand down the hole...etc. KISS formula....Yes, I"ve done similar- just this week, took a tractor into JD for an oil leak, but service manager determined the source was somewhere else. I thought I messed up replacing a gasket...he found the real leak. Ended up they had to split the tractor, but if they had just done what I wanted.....it would still leak. Sometimes I don"t like paying current shop rates, but I find it necessary to rely on others that know way more than I do.
 
Farmer your tractor probably has 14,4xx hrs and NOT 144,4xx hrs !! Fourteen thousand hrs its probably ready for a complete in frame o/h. Doing the work isn't hard if you have all the proper tools. Including a sleeve puller, cherry picker to remove the head,radiator. Have the head rebuilt or look for a reman head that the work has been done which maybe a little cheaper this way too. Radiator boiled and rodded out. New water pump,injectors tested/ set to correct pop pressures, injection pump rebuilt. IF YOU are willing to do this work you can save A LOT of cash. Take your time and think the job though and don't rush it. It'll come out for the better.
 
Does Deere still sell certified rebuilt longblock engines?
They are cheaper than a inframe that didn't go as well as expected. The loss of field time and yields can be mor ethan the cost of an inframe and a longblock with warrenty.
I would hazard to suggest a low hour combine engine swap is worth considering.
 
Ron, I'm sure you can find a new long block. That would be a little more work and maybe the best option. I've always told people that if they can get a long block WITH warranty that's the way to go !!!
 

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