I agree that there was a very large gain in horsepower when Deere went to the dual-throat carburetor but isn't this reflected in the difference in HP ratings between the 50 and the 520 as the Nebraska tests were done on the 50 with the single-throat carb in '53? The Dual-throad carb didn't come along until late in the 50 production run. This increase is over 10 drawbar HP with the high-compression gasoline tractor, according to the chart I'm referring to.According to the same chart the 50 jumps from 23.2 DBHP in the distillate tractor to 27.5 in the gasoline version, and belt HP goes up to 31, from 25.8; this is due to the higher compression and more volatile fuel. I don't expect to realize the full amount of this gain, of course as I'm now burning gasoline in a distillate tractor but 2-3 more horsepower on the PTO at bush-hog time is significant.
As the spark plugs are in the block, I hadn't given any consideration to the head; is there a a potential problem there? Spending the money to change the head, manifold and carburetor is beyond consideration, I'd put it back together with new all-fuel pistons first.
This is not a parade tractor nor a pulling tractor; it's a "work everyday" tractor used for tillage, cultivating, mowing and brush-cutting, and PTO work at wood-splitting time, and little chores, mostly with a box blace and with the boom pole around my blacksmith shop. What I want is what horsepower I can get without sacrificing reliability. the LPG pistons with the resulting 8:1 ration are, IMO, overkill. Your thoughts, anyone? Is someone out there making JD pistons that will fill this need?
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