crack saga

Just thought I’d write a little about my experiences thus far, trying to get the cracked block on my TO-30 repaired. There is a tractor-specialty machine shop out here in Oregon experienced on the Z129 that was recommended by at least two folks on this forum. When I contacted them they said they were “between welders” and weren’t sure how soon they’d be back up to speed to do the work. I guess they aren’t on good terms with their ex-welder. It didn’t sound like a dead end though and since time wasn’t a big problem two months ago I left my motor with them. But today it seems we’re at a standstill. They’ve got the parts and components all set to put it back together, but they can’t get the block done. They said last week they’ve ordered a different brazing rod to try. But their tone is that they’re running out of options. They couldn’t really offer a lead as to any other shops that could do the repair. I’m not particularly upset. Yet. These are good guys, I’m sure of that. But my project is pretty much dead in the water until they hone their technique on a junk block they have.

The work is piling up and I really need to get my tractor running. So I’m in the market for another block to build up and have on hand, even if they get mine fixed. If anybody can offer a positive lead on a good serviceable block or a complete short or long-block anywhere in the western U.S. I’ll go get it right away. My last search on the Internet was unsuccessful.

The one thing I have come to realize, as cool as these tractors are, is that the days of the breed are numbered because of the scarcity of the big pieces.

Thanks everyone,

Bill

Thanks to all for the quick responses and thoughts. Jerry, it is indeed Farmland I’m dealing with, and from all the background info from you, Jim, it sounds like my problems are on a long path. What you said sure fills in the blanks. Like I said, I’m not particularly upset, except at myself ‘cause now I have half a tractor blocking the only door big enough to get the rest of the wheeled equipment out of my shop! Farmland is only 40 miles from where my tractor is, so I guess I’d best go get some face time with Randy Sr. and Jerry to get a real feel about where this is headed. I’ll definitely see what help Continental themselves can be, and I’ll check out Midwest Cylinder Head also. And I’ll still be looking for another block!

Thanks again, everyone!

Bill

I'll also add that I, too, agree that good blocks are just not there anymore. And when you find one (condition unknown) they still go for ridiculous prices. Even jobbers previously advertising complete rebuilt exchange engines for the Z129 have pulled their listings... Incidently, Farmland is of the opinion that someone will start recasting this block in the near future because it is so rare.. Hope so..

Jim

The furnace brazing that I'm "familiar" with (I use that word "familiar" loosely because my field was propulsion aerodynamics, not metalurgy) used a powdered braze/flux material that was placed in the joints of fan duct thrust reverser cascades which were then held in fixture and put in a brazing oven. The result was very strong, light weight, brazed cascade of turning vanes.(The newer technology is "burlap and glue", better know as composites.)The Case backhoe block I saw after it was repaired was done in a similar fashion. Sounds like what Farmland is doing is putting a block in a furnace and heating it up and brazing it in a more conventional fashion.
When i got my block, they said it was done by someone in the Midwest. However mine was done, it still woking on our ranch.

As for Farmland, I won't be out anything even if they are unsuccessful... (I was/am? buying the block from them as well, not supplying it), but I don't get a good feeling that they are making much progress... at least very fast... but what are the options??? Maybe Bill will find something at Midwest...

Jim

One of the things that is happening with this technology is that a lot of specialty shops have bought the equipment to do this work and they don't have enough business doing aerospace repair so they're are going out to look for other work to keep the shop busy. They have to be cost competitive with the traditional methods of cast iron repair or they won't get the business. The down side is that not many people who have this kind of repair work to be done, know who to talk to or where to find these folks unless they are in aerospace. There is this problem (cracked blocks)with a solution available (Furnace brazing) but the two have yet to find each other.

Regarding the recasting of these blocks, I'm sure the Chinese will be doing it if the market warrants it but I don't see the quality control from those folks that would make me want to buy something from them that needs to be reliable, like a tractor engine. Furnace brazing looks to me, from my limited knowledge base, to be a more economical way to go with the added advantage of stress relief.

I looked at the Midwest ad and they do a process called something like "furnace fusion cast iron repair", which is not the process I was talking about. I think maybe Farmland Tractor is trying to replicate this process.

Anyway, thems my thoughts.

They used to have their blocks furnace brazed back in the Midwest somewhere and if they can't do the job in house, they should find someone in the area to do it. IT IS NOT DONE WITH A ROD!!!!! !!!!! So if someone is telling you that, they don't know what they are talking about.

If you havn't taken the block to Farmland Tractor than you ought to contact them.www.farmlandtractor.com. I'm sure that they can help you.

Gerald J.

• Midwest Cylinder Head

PS I haven't gotten around to the "other" response yet.. but will.

Here's a link to the furnace brazing I'm talking about.

PDF] Introduction to Furnace BrazingFile Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - www.airproducts.com/NR/rdonlyres/4F8170B9-E45A-4923-B064-716DAC8E038D/0/3300018.pdf - Similar pages

Here's a link to the furnace brazing I'm talking about.

PDF] Introduction to Furnace BrazingFile Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - www.airproducts.com/NR/rdonlyres/4F8170B9-E45A-4923-B064-716DAC8E038D/0/3300018.pdf - Similar pages

Matt