C-123 replace main bearings with block in tractor?

Hattrick · Oct 15, 2018

I have read online that you can replace the main bearings in a C123 enginge without splitting the tractor. It seems like the rear bearing cap bolts are very tight as far a clearance with the rear of the block. Has anyone ever done this? And is there any tricks or gotchas?

the tractor vet · Oct 15, 2018

Yes , but one has to keep in mind that my toy box has lots of toys to play with to make my jobs easier . Tools needed a good set of sockets a selection of extensions a long breaker bar or a good impact and a torque wrench a good torque wrench not some China made junk . When you do them you only do one main at a time since it is only a three main engine , You loosen all and let them all drop down say ..025-/050 and then do one and put the cap back on and lightly snug the bolts up to hold the crank from dropping down . Why are you wanting to do this ?? in the tractor , You may find more then you really want to know as in finding the crank is scored and will need to come out and be reground anyway . Do you know for sure that your crank is perfectly round ?? Are you lacking oil pressure ?? do you know how to use plasta gauge??

gene bender · Oct 15, 2018

Better do as Tractor Vet says. You have no way to check crank for wear till its removed from the engine. You can remove the bearings and mike them out but that will not tell you if the crank needs to be ground till its removed from the engine BTDT

BarnyardEngineering · Oct 16, 2018

Yes, it would be ideal to do a complete overhaul, but the cost of the work far exceeds the value of the tractor.

For $54.95, you can get a set of main bearings for a C-123. You might be $120 out of pocket for mains, rods, and an oil pan gasket. Obviously if the crank is all chewed up, you don't proceed.

If it helps, you just saved yourself thousands of dollars. If it blows up, you're not out much. Whole tractors cost less than an an overhaul.

Hattrick · Oct 16, 2018

Thanks for the replies. I know that the right thing to do is a full rebuild. I just saved this thing from the scrap yard and was trying to get it running to the state when the sleeve was cracked. I have another Cub project and two IH truck projects going on so I was hoping to take a short cut on this one. I will hopefully get the sleeves pulled today and take a closer look at the crank and go from there. I figured I could always go through it again later if I decide to keep the tractor.

BarnyardEngineering · Oct 16, 2018

Farmers have done far sketchier things to get by, and worked the tractors harder than you will ever work yours. Things such as "rolling in new mains," and "ring jobs," were common back in the days when these tractors were used to put in a hard day's work day in and day out. Just to get by. Money wasn't there for a complete overhaul, and the tractor wasn't going to be making any money just sitting there. They usually got away with it.

With the old letter series, you've got nothing to lose. They're a dime a dozen these days.

C-123 replace main bearings with block in tractor?

Hattrick

Member

the tractor vet

Well-known Member

gene bender

Well-known Member

BarnyardEngineering

Well-known Member

Hattrick

Member

BarnyardEngineering

Well-known Member

Similar threads