Been tied up this week with some long hours at work (the one that helps pay for the things [tractors & balers]that I don't have time for, for having to work - sort of like perpetual motion???)trying to keep from being to far behind....Had about an hour before dark this evening.....the block didn't work, no give. Took the whole fork assymbly off the baler, dropped the springs off and tried direct force with a 16 oz, and also tried rotation with a 18" stelson and short cheater. Am convinced that it didn't get its 'tetnus' shot and has came down with LOCKJAW!!!!! Thought about dropping it in some diesel to soak overnight, but didn't have any readily available. Will get the torch out tommorow and see if a little heat expansion on the outer tube will let it break loose. Will let ya know.. The 860....new coil about 2 years back. New water pump probably 4, maybe 5 years back, radiator in good shape, lots of circulation. Even upgraded the fan from the old 3 blade to a newer 4 blade. Shroud in good shape, and keep the radiator 'fins' washed and blew out for air flow. Custom made a little longer heat shield for the exhaust/muffler area, which I eliminated the muffler from the last time it burned/rusted out, with a straight pipe (for a more open, heat removing airspace), elbowed out & up about four foot, (wasn't real fond of the original routing of the exhaust down below and out back --- awful close to that dry grass hay shuffling by in front of that rake!!) Does alright up until the temperature hits around 96 - 97 and ya pulling something more that a single width rake. If ya don't shut her down when it gets to that temp, she will start caughing & missing as a result of the gas getting too hot, have even heard it 'boil' a couple of times, when all ya like is just another 25 -30 bales being finished. Growing up around Lubbock, Tx. all the tractors I ever drove were either diesel or propane, and never came across the 'heat' problem. Got to asking around down here (East Texas) after the first couple of times it did it, seems it is a common occurrance with the old fords in this area that have the gas tank right 'above a major heat source' and 'right under another major heat source' - unless it happened to be cloudy! and the temperature kicking 95 and above in the shade. All the older hands told me there was only 2 viable alternatives....do it on a cooler day or go with a diesel. The other most common suggestion was to 'move' the gas tank so that the gas wouldn't get so close to the boiling point and reroute the gas line from tank to carb, as it comes right down through the intake/exhaust manifold, heating it up some more.. Guess maybe that is why a lot of the old timers got into the habit of long nap after the noon meal...too hot for the tractor to work - might as well follow suit!! Later Garry
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