KT, KTA, early "U" Moline

patchen1 · May 4, 2011

I have a 1930 Twin city KT and was wondering with the motor what all is compatible? How far into the "U" line do they go with the 1 piece head and block? Any other things like that. My KT has been stuck for as many years as I can remember it sitting in our yard but I now want to get my Grandfathers tractor running while my Mother can still enjoy it and remember her Father on it when she was young.

Any help is appreciated,
Rob

Charlie Bilerx · May 4, 2011

The early one piece head U tractors share about ninety percent of the parts of the later tractors. The old TT carbs are easily switched with a modern TSX67 if you want fast and dirty. The bottom end bearings are different, but not impossible. Half the time the valves are the same. You get the picture. Change was a very slow process and even then most things were backwards compatible. Parts are not that hard to find and they are a real fun tractor. I myself just love the old red nose series tractors.

Have you been soaking the cylinders for some time? My advice is to get the engine turning first, before going any further. That will tell you how far the road is going to be and just how bumpy on your wallet things can be. Hopefully nothing has been freeze cracked because of an open exhaust.

For some strange reason the early U tractors are suddenly becoming popular again. Just tonight,I sent out two top end gasket sets and everyone wants to get one of them going. Old turn tops and manifolds are also moving. The old red nose Z tractors are also coming around too. Guess I may be coming back in style too.......well, a guy can dream. Just last month I saw a few 'leisure suits' and string ties on persons too young to drink adult beverages. Someone's grandkid must have been rooting in the attic.

Now get to wrenching.
Charlie at
Moline Parts

patchen1 · May 5, 2011

(quoted from post at 22:20:54 05/04/11) The early one piece head U tractors share about ninety percent of the parts of the later tractors. The old TT carbs are easily switched with a modern TSX67 if you want fast and dirty. The bottom end bearings are different, but not impossible. Half the time the valves are the same. You get the picture. Change was a very slow process and even then most things were backwards compatible. Parts are not that hard to find and they are a real fun tractor. I myself just love the old red nose series tractors.

Have you been soaking the cylinders for some time? My advice is to get the engine turning first, before going any further. That will tell you how far the road is going to be and just how bumpy on your wallet things can be. Hopefully nothing has been freeze cracked because of an open exhaust.

For some strange reason the early U tractors are suddenly becoming popular again. Just tonight,I sent out two top end gasket sets and everyone wants to get one of them going. Old turn tops and manifolds are also moving. The old red nose Z tractors are also coming around too. Guess I may be coming back in style too.......well, a guy can dream. Just last month I saw a few 'leisure suits' and string ties on persons too young to drink adult beverages. Someone's grandkid must have been rooting in the attic.

Now get to wrenching.
Charlie at
Moline Parts

Trying to figure out what pieces of the KTA and the early "U" that I can use on my KT.

Charlie Bilerx · May 5, 2011

patchen1,
If you need a part by part cross reference, the best thing to do is to get a U parts book. The old R790 series U parts book for the red nose U tractors is a great reference. I suggest you get one of the later G or upwards (R790G, R790H, etc.)because they just have more added detail. The R1045A and B repair catalog for the bar grill U tractors is a lot more informative just because it has more pictures. It also has a wealth of notes about backward compatibility using older parts.

The U tractor is not the only Moline where parts compatibility comes into play. There are a lot of common parts on the FE, FT, and other models. If you are wondering about a specific part, we can probably help. Always remember that Moline was famous for recycling parts for many years after introduction. That is why they were able to make so many models from a common pile of parts. A lot of those very common old BE, CE, TW, TY, KE, KT, and other parts series, found on the KT tractors, were still being used to the very end of White's days.

Good luck.
Charlie at
Moline Parts

MM diesel · May 6, 2011

I should have the older parts manuals for the 1930's U's, R's, Z's & G's. I also have the Twin City repair catalogs, along with most other MM manuals. Email me with your needs.

Michael Moeller
[email protected]

molinegb · May 9, 2011

The main things common on KT to U are head,block,and pistons. Governor,intake,exhaust manifold,carb, air breathers are all different on early KT. U solid blocks were made up to 1947.

KT, KTA, early "U" Moline

patchen1

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Charlie Bilerx

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patchen1

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Charlie Bilerx

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MM diesel

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molinegb

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