8N LOCKED UP

With starter removed, I Removed spark plugs(assuming no compression would make things move a little easier) and tried rocking back and forth in 3rd gear but still nothing.

Tried putting tractor in neutral, engaged PTO and tried turning PTO shaft with moderate force, still nothing.

Complete rebuild of engine about 4 months ago and it has been running very smooth. No expensive sounding noises or anything to cause suspicion.
Ran tractor about 7 days ago and all was fine.

Does not appear to be any coolant missing, so I don't think I got any coolant into any forbidden areas that may have casued the pistons to sieze.

Any suggestions?

Engine was running fine...shut her down for a cool one...went to start her up and it was locked. Tried rocking it...nothing...big screwdriver on the flywheel...nothing. Next I tied it up behind my truck. Had friend pull me down the road with the clutch in I tried 3rd...tires would lock...same in 4th, 2nd. Had to get turned around (out of road)...then I decided reverse (still going forward)...and wallah!! engine turned over (backwerds). I was then able to start it normally. Don't know what happened?? Starter locked is my guess. It hasn't happened since.

Good Luck
Dennis

I'll try the "backwards pull" tonight.

FWIW

Bubba, based on your post and answer to others' questions, I think you're gonna have to get back into the engine. Sorry.

Does the engine even start when you have the clutch down? This is the unclear part.

The rest of your problem description is consistant with tranny shifter problems. Specifically, it is possible to get tranny in 2 gears at one time. This will lock up your tractor big time. You'll have to remove your 8N's tranny top cover and look around..... ....Dell

I am pretty sure the front half of the tractor is what is locked up. Just cannot understand why. I assume that any event that caused the engine to lock up would have been accompanyied by nasty noises.

Generally when you pull the sparkies and crank the engine you pump the excess cylinder stuff out the hole but in your case, probably has drained down past the piston rings and into your crankcase oil.

Heres the deal. Gravitiy fed fuel and bad carb float can drain fuel tank up thru the intake manifold and in any open intake valve and vola' hydraulic lock when you go to start..... ....Dell

Current head gasket is only 4 months old(complete rebuild in April) - have not noticed any white smoke from burning water. Guess I'll pull the head and look for rust.

I sure was hoping to get out of this without a visit from the UPS man!

Thanks for your help.

(you do remember to turn the fuel valve under the tank OFF when you are done using the tractor for a time, don't you?)

Since you reported less than 1" of radiator fluid missing (overflow probably) I kinda discounted the leaky headgasket theory. But check your engine compression if you can ever get the engine to turn over.

AND SMELL your crankcase oil dipstick..... ..Dell

So either by turing the crank by the pulley bolt on the front or by the flywheel, I can free it up - maybe?

Should I pour a littl MMO into each cylinder to help loosen things up?

Why do you seem unable to verify or refute those 2 possible scenarios?

Now besides the pistons going up and down, what else moves in a good engine? The crankshaft goes roundy-round doesn't it? Well what else goes roundy-round besides the crankshaft? Why the crankshaft gear that drive the camshaft gear and the oil pump gear.

What do you suppose would happen if one of the bolts holding the camshaft gear or oil pump gear got loose? Do you suppose a loose bolt just might get wedged into the gear train somehow? What do you suppose might happen if the crankshaft gears got wedged? Do you suppose it just might stop turning?

And how do you suppose you are going to find out? By disassembling the front engine cover? Wonderful, good thinking, go to the head of the class and start there..... ..... .respectfully, Dell, who is outta ideas

What about in neutral?

Which end is locked up - the engine or the trans/diff?

While standing on the clutch pedal, can the pto be turned? What about in neutral?

Sounds to me like you are in two gears at the same time. If that is true, you should be able to start the engine with the clutch depressed.

A little more info and the experts with be able to pinpoint the problem.

Mountainman...CA

Thanks for response, here are answers to your questions:

What about in neutral? wheels will trun in neutral

Which end is locked up - the engine or the trans/diff? I think the engine

While standing on the clutch pedal, can the pto be turned? What about in neutral? Can turn PTO shaft with clutch depressed. I put a pipe wrench on PTO and tried to turn it but it would not turn with tractor in neutral,PTO engaged, clutch out. I did not try to turn it too hard as I don't want to have to replace PTO shaft too.

Sounds to me like you are in two gears at the same time. If that is true, you should be able to start the engine with the clutch depressed.