Couple questions about TO-30

redhorseshoe

New User
Awhile back I posted on here I was having some overheating and smoking issues with my '52 TO-30.
Long story short what happened was I had been harrowing a field for about two hours then the tractor overheated, bad. After that, it would overheat every time it ran, even at an idle. So that brings me to now. I finally tore the engine down and found one completely worn out (worn in half actually) rod bearing, and two pistons which were very loose in the cylinder. Loose meaning when they were still in the cylinder I could wiggle them back and forth. Also the top of the pistons were all covered in oil, which would explain the smoking. Obviously, I have decided to completely rebuild the engine and these are the questions I have now:

1. Could the worn out pistons and lack of compression have been the cause of the overheating? If not, what else could it have been? I checked the entire cooling system and replaced the thermostat so I'm sure it wasn't that. Also the engine was in time and ran great. Except for the overheating thing.

2. I've talked to a local machine shop about rebuilding the engine for me. They told me to expect to pay around $2,500 for them to do the work and provide parts. Does that seem high to anyone else?

Thanks!
 
The 2 loose pistons weren't doing their share & the others were overloaded. So yes , it could of caused it to heat.
 
Thanks for the answers. I was pretty sure the piston issue was the source of my problem but just wanted to make sure there wasn't something else I needed to be checking.

I'm in Oregon, so mid-Michigan may be a bit too far of a drive! But thank you all the same. So what do you (or anyone else) feel is a reasonable amount to pay for a complete engine rebuild?
 
The continued overheating could have been caused
by a blown head gasket, a very common problem
following overheating. But that's not a concern
now, since the gasket will be replaced.

Might want to have the radiator looked at, be
sure it ins't clogged internally and there are no
leaks. Also check it for grass and dirt
accumulation in the fins.

Have you checked the reputation of the machine
shop? Be weary of any shop without checking their
track record! It's too easy to turn out a sloppy
job on an assembled engine! I never have anything
done and them assemble it, I always check their
work and assemble it myself, but if you're not
comfortable doing it yourself, just be careful
who you use.

If they are a quality first shop, that is not a
bad price. Likely what they are quoting is a
worse case situation.
 

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