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Piston separation M engine

D

Dan S (NY)

Well-known Member
I have a mid 50s Trojan loader that is built around a Farmall M chassis that suddenly started making a loud knocking sound while using it. Shut it down really quick and towed it back to the shop. Pulled the pan and head and found the number two piston had come apart below the rings and above the wrist pin. No bad scoring to the cylinder or to the head so that’s good at least. I’ve never seen a piston do that before. This engine is pretty tired and smoked when running hard but I only use this loader occasionally so just kept the oil level up.. Not sure If I want to try a quick fix by finding a used piston, or try to find another running M engine to put in. I’m sure a proper rebuild of this engine would be several thousand which is far more than this machine is worth. Any Ms I’m seeing for sale all seem to be running around 2000 and are to nice to take apart for just the engine. Not sure what path to take at this point.
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Make sure of the bore size, Pistons might be available here on YT. Kits sure are:

Description: Early serial number. Basic Engine Kit, less bearings (C248 CID Gas 4-cylinder engine). Model M and MV to serial number 278049, O6, OS6, W6, to serial number 35463. (for engines with stepped head high compression piston.) Kit contains sleeves and sleeve seals, pistons and piston rings (overbore from 3-7/8 inch to 4 inch), pins and retainers, pin bushings, complete gasket set with crankshaft seals. ENGINE BEARINGS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
Basic Engine Rebuild Kit, Less Bearings with Stepped Head Pistons Part Number BEKH1155A-LCB Jim
 
I would try to determine if they are IH Pistons or some aftermarket junk. If they are aftermarket I would find some good used ones from all states ag for example. Or if they mic too much u.s. Might aswell take them all out to inspect as long as it would be cheap and easy to put new rings in. I imagine it would be a difficult job to change the motor on that thing so I would just fix it cheap with used pistons and new rings. Even if it blows up down the road (which is unlikely) then you can swap a motor.
 
Not sure how to tell the difference between original pistons and old aftermarket ones. I do plan to remove all the other pistons to check for cracks in the same area. And yes, I don't think it would be as easy as splitting an M to get the engine out of this loader so I would like to repair it in place if possible. I would love to put a piston and sleeve kit in but not sure how hard it would be to remove/install the dry sleeves with the engine still in the loader and the crankshaft in place.
 
If that piston is cast iron, then it's maybe original, but if it's aluminum then it's not,original! But never seen one, come apart from stress before ! I would buy a set and put them in!
 
look like that piston is well worn and must have been rocking in the bore with excessive clearance. if sleeves are worn that bad then it hardly pays to replace the piston to have it happen again. how much wear is there in sleeves. does it catch your finger nail at the top.
 
If you are now looking at the lower end, and the top is off, the sleeves can be pulled in 1 hour with a puck and puller rod/bridge. Watch some video. no biggee. The front main and center can be changed, not the rear. All the rod bearings can be changed. (not in the set!!) the journals need to be measured to assure correct inserts. Jim
 
Yes, there is a ridge at the top of the bore. I think the only way to go is replace both the sleeves and pistons. I'll have to check the crank clearance to see how it looks. I would put in new rod bearings at the very least.
 
Yes, pulling the sleeves would be the way to go. The issue is I don't have a puck to pull with. Does anyone sell them for the M engine?
 
It is just a few bucks to have one made. A tech school might make one for free if they are having in lab classes. Jim
 
The only machine shop around here that I knew of that would do small custom work closed a while ago, and nothing they did was ever just a few bucks. I don't mind paying fair value for a tool though. I was just hoping someone out there made one for sale like they have for the 8N fords. I may try an engine shop and see if they can make this.
 
Check the Farmall M & H page on facebook. Theres usually a couple of engine on there for sale. Being its a mid 50s, it may have a SM engine or could even be a 400 engine. Im just using those numbers as a reference for you. It most likely has a power unit engine.
 

Might be able to take some all thread and flat bar cut/ground to size to make a puller. Tsc or hardware store would have the parts to farm engineer it. A 6 inch piece of pipe over the thread will serve as a hammer.
 
Thanks, I'll know more after this weekend. I think I am leaning towards a new sleeve/piston kit at this point though. I'm worried that with the wear in the cylinders, other pistons will eventually fail as well.
 
Turns out these are IH cast iron 3 7/8 pistons. Now I need to find a caliper and measure the crank journals.
 
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