Help - Tractor flood

Well, this may be pretty bad. Got the Ford 860 stuck in the woods, and before we could extricate her, Harvey came and flooded the bottoms. Water got up to the top edge of the battery, what am I up against here and what steps do I need to take to get her back? I have some car and mechanical experience, but new to tractors.

Drain all oils out. Pill plugs hand crank
engine to expell water.

I've also found the air tube leading to the carb FULL of water. Does the carb need love now? or just let it dry out?

Pull the drain plug. I would open up anyone
that could trap water. Need to get it dry.
You'll probably need to check all
electrical connections as well.

I have an 8N ford that was under water in Dec of 2015. I pulled all the drain plugs out and then put them back in but loosely so as to let any water seep out slowly. I also turned the engine over with the plugs out to cylinder the cylinders of any water and then filled them up with ATF. Due to the time of year it was I left it that way till spring. In the spring I refilled the cylinders' with ATF and PULL THE DRAIN PLUIG AL LTHE WAY OUT AGAIN AND LEFT THEM OUT A Week OR SO. I also pulled the carb drain plug out and let it drain and then rebuilt the carb. Filled every thing up with oil and fired it up and is runs just fine but I do need to split it due to a input to out put shaft bearing that has locked up but that happened before the flood got it

As others said, drain everything that can hold water.

There will probably be electrical damage, anything that had battery power to it, like the amp meter, ignition switch, alternator, will have corrosion growing on any live terminals, possibly were eaten completely away.

But the most critical element is time. You will need to get the engine running ASAP, and get it up to operating temp to dry everything out. Then start it regularly until it can actually be worked long enough to fully dry it out.

The transmission, hydraulics, will probably need a couple of changes. Might flush with something less costly, like diesel, before finally refilling.

I agree with Steve. Get all this done NOW. Don't put it off until later. I have had many engines brought to me that went under water. By the time I
got them. The cost of repairs were more than the engine was worth. Some I couldn't save because they waited to long. You wont get all the water out.
But what little is left will steam out.

the carb should be cleared of wateer ,. too , you can pour atf in it and sealit in a plastic bag for
later times .. that will keepeverything mellow

I've worked on under water tractors before...they are submersible and can survive with immediate attention.

As suggested drain all fluids and let it drain for at least a couple days. If gas or LP pull the plugs and rotate engine(by hand) to expel water from the upper cylinders...if diesel gently turn engine a bit at a time to expel water past the piston rings so it will run out the pan drain hole.

Tie the clutch pedal down with wire so that hopefully the clutch plate won't stick to the flywheel/pressure plate...drain bellhousing if possible....if clutch sticks may have to split the tractor if it cannot be released later. Brakes may need something done if they are dry brakes.

Do what you must to the fuel system..drain the fuel if contaminated and clean carb if you need to...injection pumps won't take to water at all and you may have to fill engine with oil and crack fuel lines..provide injection pump with clean fuel and crank engine until clean diesel comes out the fuel lines...then you can dump the engine oil again.

Engine oil/filter and transmission hydraulic oil and filters may have to be changed multiple times...run until hot and dump oil and change filters. Water can be the death of synchronizer plates and other clutch discs/brakes that are internal to the transmission.

The electrical system will likely need attention...starters cleaned and lubed..same for generators/alternators...fuse blocks and connections inspected/cleaned. Electronic modules may be ruined

Flooded tractors and machinery are commonly written off as totaled and indeed may be ruined if not attended to promptly. The time and expense of it all can be daunting...especially if the tractor is needed right now!

If it were saltwater I would pressure wash it very well, and flush internals with solvent, and flush again.

Ok - Drained fluids and refilled in all 4 compartments, re-oiled air cleaner, cranked it over with a 12 volt battery while my 6 volt was charging. (just attached to the starter lead and a ground). A bit of moisture came out, then I got my air line and shot it in the spark plug holes while spinning the engine. This seemed to really expel the moisture. It would mist back out at me as the piston came up. Finally stopped misting anything, but I can't really say each bore is fully dry. I put new plugs back in gapped at 25/thousanths, checked one to make sure the plug was firing ( it was). Then I shot some ether in the throat of the carb, key was on ...... nothing. Any ideas? Would alcohol help dry the bores more? This tractor was always slow/hard to start as it was. I have an electronic points replacement I was planning on installing, but I think I want to get it to run before I create another item to troubleshoot.

you need to open your distributor and get the points dried out. That is probably the reason for no spark.

I did have spark with the #4 plug when I held it against the block.

I forgot to add that I did disassemble the top of the dist and blew it dry with my air line.