4020 Trnasplant options

NY_JD4240

Member
Early John Deere 4020 and the engine is getting tired, it still runs but there is blow by and it starts harder than it should. Lots of white smoke at start up and the weep holes are damp, not dripping yet….

I am just trying to be proactive and be prepared so when the time comes in the next year or so I know what I want to do. Sometimes I think I should just rebuild it and then at the same time I think I should put in a transplant. I know the common answer for the transplant is a NA 466 out of a combine. What about a late style 404 form a 30 series or a combine? Then there is the possibility of a 359T or a 414.

I do not particularly want to hear about the 466 as I k now that this is a great engine in all and probably will be the option that I go with.

Tell me about the late style 404, the 359T, and the 414. I want to know why or why not on these engines. I have time so if it takes a couple of months to find what I want it is what it is. As I said, I know that the 466 is most likely my choice, but I want to hear more about the others.

I have used a 359T in a 4050 and in a 4040 European and I was impressed with their performance as well as how great they started at 20 degrees with no heat.

Thoughts?
 


359 & 414 engines are from a different JD family(factory) & would require a special adapter flywheel housing plus the block has no holes to bolt (rowcrop)side frames to.
 
A 30 series tractor engine will fit but there is still the matter of finding one that will not need a major overhaul itself. There were not many years that a naturally aspirated
404 was used in a combine so that limits availability. The 359 would require adapting in terms of the starter and so forth. Unless your engine needs a lot of machine shop
work such as crank grinding and building up where the sleeves mate up with the block it might be cheaper to overhaul your old engine. Do you know what the current oil
pressure is via a gauge on your 4020? It would be a clue as to the condition of the crankshaft.
 
You would be better off rebuilding the engine you have. You will find a used engine and after the work and modifications to install it will find it needs an overhaul as well. If you have a very early engine with the big injecters a different engine gets more appealing because you can put big money in having the injecters redone. I just changed the head on an early 4020 because all the injecters were bad. It was cheaper to change the head and lines and buy new pencil injecters than rebuild my old ones.Most 4020's with combine engines started life as gas tractors. Tom
 
(quoted from post at 08:05:03 01/30/19)

359 & 414 engines are from a different JD family(factory) & would require a special adapter flywheel housing plus the block has no holes to bolt (rowcrop)side frames to.


I have seen a couple of 4020's with 359T transplants in them. This is why I was inquiring about them. Your post answered my question, the flywheel adapter does not bother me. But since the side rails will not work, that rules these options out as I have a JD158 loader on mine!

I guess I'm either rebuilding the ol' girl or transplanting a NA466 in to her.

The crank has never been touched, oil pressure is up where it belongs. Engine was rebuilt some 30 years ago and about 7500 - 8000 hours ago.
 
If you do overhaul it would be wise to check the camshaft for wear where the oil pump and injector pump drive off of it.
 
I would get a High compression Reliance overhaul kit for your current motor. IF you have the large injectors than find a later style cylinder head with the pencil injectors. Pull the motor and have the cam and cam bearings done. Replace the oil pump. Usually the crankshaft will be with-in spec. Switch it over to 12 volt if you have not already done it. This work will still be simpler than an engine switch. An the cost will be about the same and you will have known motor. The 404 with the high compression kit will start and run just about like the 466s do as far as cold starts.
 
Having a known engine is no small thing. At best the parts yard might pull the dipstick and run the engine for 10-20 seconds as a checkover. The paint could look good but a lot of problems waiting to rise to the surface.
 
I would rebuilt what I have verses an unknown engine.
On the injector issue not all injection shops are honest ! I had one tell me my pumps and injectors from the 720D were shot and needed custom made parts and was going to cost a fortune. I got the parts back and found a more local older guy who fixed me up reasonable. Afterall it was running good before I tore it down. So I would not condemn them just because they are the large style. There may be some older pump guy running a small shop who might even have lots of NOS or good used parts laying around who can make them work to spec. if they are out of spec.
 
I have a 6600 hillside combine that I don't use any more with a good strong 404. that I'm going to part out.
 

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