WHAT A SURPRISE!

When I removed the pistons, the compression rings fell out of the grooves in about a dozen pieces each. This was for all 4 pistons. Also, the block was on an engine stand up-side-down. When I removed the rod caps the pistons nearly fell out of the bores - I had to catch them!

Is this typical of the Perkins - or could something have caused it? It's a 1967 MF with the AD4-203 engine. The bearings had the MF part numbers rather than after market such as TRW or Federa Mogul - I think it is original.

Of the many engines that I've torn apart over the last 35 years, I've never seen rings broken in small pieces as these were.

I've not seen any other damage. The bearings and journals all look very good. I measured the journal diameters and were standard size. They didn't show any out of round condition when I used the micrometers to measure them. The cylinders weren't scratched - just the usual step at the top of the bore. Any thoughts?

Ken McWilliams

Amazing that it still ran!

I've seen similar damage with excessive ether use, but never all rings - just the top one or two. It has also caused cracking around the top of the sleeves on the old (.040 top ring) style sleeves.

I'd guess that they haven't been broken long, from the lack of damage in the sleeves.

My $.03 - Canadian. Equals $.02 US (G)!

-Thyge

What is a safe way to use ether - particularly in the cold north winters?

The tractor originally had the apparatus to spray ether.

Ken McWilliams

Unfortunately some people think that if a little is good, a lot is better. I've heard stories of (but never personally seen) head bolts getting stretched as a result.

I later saw a 6-71 that had run out of fuel. The guys ground on the starter a lot after refueling. When they spritzed a little starting fluid into her she started right up and ran fine.

There is no argument against heated garages, or block heaters, or oil pan heating pads. They sure would be the first choice.

Well, I'm not that desperate. I have 2 other gasoline tractors that I can use to push snow out of the lane.

Ken McWilliams
Dayton, OH