TO-30 with a rod knock for $600

Hdonly · Dec 6, 2022

Is it worth it? New front wheels, rear tires look good. Overall, the tractor looks pretty good. Owner says no water in the oil, but I hear that these blocks crack regularly and antifreeze takes out the bearings. I guess it's just a gamble!

KCTractors · Dec 6, 2022

The tires and rims are worth the $600. I would buy it!

Tom H. · Dec 6, 2022

No water in the oil. Great. Pull the pan and a new set of Rod bearings, may need an oversized set.

Let us know.

I have, well, quite few TO30s ,rebuilt engines and have had great luck with them.

Tom

kenbob · Dec 8, 2022

we had a 20 with a wrist pin knock. Sounds a bit the same but you can localize it a bit with a listening scope.

Hdonly · Dec 11, 2022

Went ahead and bought the TO-30. I don't know if it knocks or not. The engine is locked up tight. There is no water in the oil. Oil is clean like it was just changed. The block is cracked though and has already been repaired with three through bolts. Started raining on me, but will pull the oil pan in the next few days.

Jim.ME · Dec 12, 2022

Not saying it was not worth it but did you know it was locked up when you bought it? If so, you didn't reveal that in your original post. Saying it had a knock kind of indicated to me it would start and run. Looks like the other replies thought the same.

Hdonly · Dec 12, 2022

(quoted from post at 05:03:11 12/12/22)
Not saying it was not worth it but did you know it was locked up when you bought it? If so, you didn't reveal that in your original post. Saying it had a knock kind of indicated to me it would start and run. Looks like the other replies thought the same.

Didn't know it was seized till I went and actually looked at it (after my original post) The story is that it was running fine when he parked it. The next time he went to start it, it made a clunk and locked up. (never started). I took a chance, suspecting that the starter gear broke apart and wedged between the flywheel and the housing. I have had my Jubilee do that before. I know now that this starter is not built the same. I didn't recognize the three bolts were a fix for a cracked block until I got home with it and did some more research. Was pulling the cover on the clutch housing and pulling the started when the rain started.
By the way, if you are trying to say something, don't be shy. go ahead and say it. You ain't gonna hurt my feelings.

Jim.ME · Dec 12, 2022

(quoted from post at 10:15:37 12/12/22)

(quoted from post at 05:03:11 12/12/22)
Not saying it was not worth it but did you know it was locked up when you bought it? If so, you didn't reveal that in your original post. Saying it had a knock kind of indicated to me it would start and run. Looks like the other replies thought the same.

Click to expand...

Didn't know it was seized till I went and actually looked at it (after my original post) The story is that it was running fine when he parked it. The next time he went to start it, it made a clunk and locked up. (never started). I took a chance, suspecting that the starter gear broke apart and wedged between the flywheel and the housing. I have had my Jubilee do that before. I know now that this starter is not built the same. I didn't recognize the three bolts were a fix for a cracked block until I got home with it and did some more research. Was pulling the cover on the clutch housing and pulling the started when the rain started.
By the way, if you are trying to say something, don't be shy. go ahead and say it. You ain't gonna hurt my feelings.

Thanks for the explanation. I was just trying to figure out if you knew it was seized originally but didn't mention that. You mentioned the knock so I assumed (that worked out as usual) it would run but had a knock.

From the looks of the tires in the pictures, those and other parts will cover your cost even if you don't do anything but part it out.

jvin248 · Dec 12, 2022

.

The most common problem with the TO-30s, I have one in the family like it, are coolant in the oil. Can be cracked block but often just debris from sliding in the piston liners stops a good seal at the bottom of them.

While your engine may have bolts across it ... the stuck engine may be the common moisture settling in the pistons while stored and rusting one or more pistons in position.

Many concoctions in ready to go cans and family recipes to put on top of pistons to soak and try to free them up.

+1 just the tires these days got you more than your $600. But work on that engine.

This is a very helpful youtube channel for these tractors. This particular link goes to a TO-20 engine tear down where much discussion of this coolant and oil leak is discussed. Possibly cracks in the block (been a while since I watched the whole thing).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti3BEffr6i8

.

This post was edited by jvin248 on 12/12/2022 at 04:04 pm.

Hdonly · Dec 13, 2022

It's not rust in the cylinders. The man I got it from stated that it was only a week or so between running and the engine locking up. Transmission shifts fine and it rolls fine in neutral. Alternator and water pump spin freely. Engine is stuck tight with no movement either direction. I put it in high gear and rocked the tractor back and forth. No movement on the crank at all. Starter coming out and oil pan coming off when I get back to it.

Duner Wi · Dec 13, 2022

Pull the starter and look at the flywheel ring gear.
Could be the starter knocked the ring gear into the bell housing.
That will lock them up solid.

Hdonly · Dec 14, 2022

(quoted from post at 15:49:29 12/13/22) Pull the starter and look at the flywheel ring gear.
Could be the starter knocked the ring gear into the bell housing.
That will lock them up solid.

That makes the most sense. Last time I talked to the seller, he stated it was running fine with no knock when he shut it off. The next time he went to start it, it knocked kinda loud and the engine locked up before it even started. Sounds like that is what would have happened if the ring gear did as you say.

Hdonly · Dec 15, 2022

Well, I think I got lucky. I got the starter out and this is what I saw " Well, there's your problem"

Possibly cheap cast iron and broken pieces stuck between the ring teeth and the case. Time to split the tractor.
To me, this is a cheap fix. I got a deal!

Duner Wi · Dec 15, 2022

Thank you for the end of the story.
Make sure you distributor advance works properly.

Hdonly · Dec 19, 2022

(quoted from post at 20:45:00 12/15/22) Thank you for the end of the story.
Make sure you distributor advance works properly.

Well, the story ain't over. I played with the TO-30 some more today. A pry bar in the starter hole (gently) and the flywheel came loose. The engine turns over just fine. I almost stuck my spare starter in there. I decided the smart thing to do would be to separate the tractor and get those loose pieces out first. I do believe it will be a runner!!!!!

Hdonly · Dec 21, 2022

Just got to thinking, would it be easier to remove the steering box or split the tractor to retrieve the broken pieces of the starter bendix gear? Looks like a fairly straightforward jop to pull the steering box off. Thoughts?

Maineman · Dec 21, 2022

I d start with a magnet secured to a plumbers or electricians snake.
You may get lucky! Just reconstruct the starter housing with the pieces to make sure you get it all.
Might work.
Might not.

Joe

Hdonly · Dec 21, 2022

Got all the starter nose pieces. Parts of the bendix gear are still behind the flywheel. The flex magnet I have won't quite make the bend behind the flywheel. I like your idea about the magnet on the fish tape. Sure would be nice to get at the pieces and part going through the starter hole. Thanks.

Leroy · Dec 22, 2022

I see something that would be very unusual for a TO-30 as I have never hear of
a 30 with spin out rear wheels as I don't think they came out until the red
35, I don't ever remember a grey 35 having spin out wheels. Those wheels would
be a very expensive item for somebody that needed a rim or complete wheel to
restore a red 35. All I have ever seen on a 20 or 30 you had to unbolt the rim
and move it to a different spot on the rim to change tread width. Same as the
N series Fords. I have a 44 2N that dad bought new in may of 44. I also had a
TO 30 as well as at least 4 neighbors, one neighbors with 2 of them at same
time and one neighbor with a grey 35, other neighbors with the 20's, None had
the spin out rims and the wheels being red say they came off a red 35.

Hdonly · Dec 23, 2022

After reading your post, I started looking around the internet. I don't see anything that says any TO-30s came with the power adjust wheels. Looks like I did well on this tractor buy. The rear wheels look to be in really good condition on this tractor. Thanks for making me aware of this!

Hdonly · Dec 28, 2022

Got all the broken starter pieces out. Put the starter that I had on hand in. She fired right up. I shut her right back down. I think the man I bought it from did not tell me the whole story. He said it was running fine. Next time he went to start it, it knocked real loud and locked up. I think it was already knocking-had nothing to do with the starter. I don't know what he did to bust the starter, but it has a rod knocking to beat hell. Pan will be coming off tomorrow.

This post was edited by Hdonly on 12/28/2022 at 02:08 pm.

TO-30 with a rod knock for $600

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