Case 400 Diesel Pros - Cons

chas036 · Mar 14, 2020

I am going to an auction where there is a Case 400 diesel with an eagle hitch. I have not seen it run, but it looks a little rough with rusty sheet metal and a dirty greasy engine, and no rear tread.

I have never owned a Case and my question here is... is this a tractor to stay away from because of inherent problems, or is it worth buying if the price is low. With people scared to spend money now because this pandemic, I am thinking this might be a $1200 to $1500 sale which I would do if the tractor were worth it.

Can all the parts and gaskets still be bought at Case for doing engine overhauls and repairing injector?

John Saeli · Mar 14, 2020

From your description, not worth $1,000, not even close, and it won't bring that. As for the CASE Dealer?? They will laugh at you. Don Livingston and ourselves can help with a restoration. Everything for the engine we both stock. However the injection pump can be a nightmare. They tend to seize from setting, and the shaft inside will break, unless removed from the tractor and sent to a qualified shop.

Dieseltech · Mar 14, 2020

Unless you SEE it start OK at the sale, I would not buy ANY tractor with the American Bosch PSB pump as there are NO hard parts available anymore. They are a royal pain to repair as several pumps may be needed to get enough parts to make one that actually works..

fred goodrich · Mar 14, 2020

Selling a original 400 Saturday runs the best, sure it's greasy and showing some rust but picture it painted. How many do you see original and not all butchered up?

jon f mn · Mar 15, 2020

The good news on the injection pump is I know where there is
a replacement if you need it. Also if it is bad you can change
over to an in-line pump off a later model fairly easy if you have
a donor tractor. Otherwise they are tough old tractors. Here is
mine I've been working on for a long time.

EliG · Mar 15, 2020

If it runs decent you should be ok. As others have said the hardest things to find are injector pump parts. I went through my 400 from the radiator cap to the draw bar. I was able to find all of the parts that I needed or made my own.

Good luck!

EliG · Mar 15, 2020

A few other things that I though of. The eagle hitch is really close to a category 1 3point. Most category 1 implements will fit or can be modified to fit. The top link for the eagle hitch bolts over the pto. If it is missing you should be able find one.

The shift pattern uses a double H pattern which some folks don't like but it isn't too bad once you get the hang of it.

The production years are figured out by the first 3 digits of the serial number which should be on a tag on the right side of the dash. If it is missing the number should be stamped on the left side of the bellhousing on the engine. 806XXXX is 1955, 808XXXX is 1956, and 810XXXX are 1957. The 1957 models were a called super diesels and had a few subtle changes from the previous years.

Be very cautious if they use ether to start it. These engines do not tolerate ether very well and are prone to crack heads if too much is used. Both of mine were cracked but they were repairable.

Case 400 Diesel Pros - Cons

chas036

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John Saeli

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Dieseltech

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fred goodrich

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jon f mn

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EliG

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EliG

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