2002sliverado
Member
Some time back, I posted about having to tear into our 3020 gasoline powered tractor. I had asked questions, mostly in preparation for a hefty repair bill following an invasive procedure. I am happy to report a number of pleasant surprises. We pulled the head off and found the rocker arm shaft to be broken, along with the exhaust valves being in bad shape. My mechanic found a good, used rocker arm shaft and rocker arms from another 3020 and had new exhaust valves being installed. We replaced the main hydraulic pump and drive yoke, as the pump was completely worn out. Both the head and hydraulic pump were caught in the nick of time before any damage had been done elsewhere on the tractor. I am amazed at how different the tractor sounds and runs after tearing into it. We decided it was not worth going into the engine any further. I was quite surprised there was still cross hatching in the cylinders, along with the pistons still being good and tight. Why am I as surprised as I was? It had been over 40 years since the engine had been opened up and overhauled. We replaced the tachometer/hourmeter 5 years ago. My father had indicated the prior one had been replaced shortly after the tractor had been purchased around 1972 or 1973. I recall the hourmeter, which was recently replaced, had well over 6000 hours showing. So, according to that, the engine overhaul likely has around 6000 hours and still ticking along. Is that even probable with a gasoline engine in a tractor of this vintage? I can offer the numbers I share are pretty close. I am not complaining in the least. I was expecting to find the engine just plain worn out after all these years. Apparently we have taken decent care of it, and I would suggest the tractor has not been worked hard for at least the latter 20 years either, except on a few and short occasions.
