1948 John Deere A

MI Royal · Mar 17, 2016

I have my John Deere A torn down and while I'm at it, I'm wondering: what's the best way to boost the horsepower and torque about 25 to 30 per cent? I don't want to do anything that would make it less flexible, since I also participate in plow days and tractor games, but I often find it powers out on good, tight pulling tracks. I plan to compete in division 1 or basically farm stock class, only.

FarmallCT · Mar 17, 2016

I'd plane the head down a bit to make the combustion chamber smaller. Should get a few HP out of that. Not sure how far in depth you want to go with it, but you could
also bore it and put in over-sized or domed pistons. Could also try putting in I think its called a power block. I'm not too familiar with JD so you might try posting in
the JD forum to get more specific/detailed answers.

~FarmallCT

StrikeForce · Mar 17, 2016

Going through the same thing; considered all options, costs, and impacts. That's a hard number to get to with stock/off the shelf components. I think my email is open, I can share a spreadsheet I created based on other posts I have seen on this site. This is what I used to create my cost/benefit options.

Mike M · Mar 17, 2016

Well if it is worn out now just an overhaul alone might gain you enough ?
Now from what I have seen and heard tell if you are going to not want to be last at a tractor pull be prepared to spend BIG BUCKS !

ndbjda · Mar 17, 2016

Are the cast pistons still in it?

RandyB(MI) · Mar 17, 2016

I agree with Mike. If you have it apart I assume you are boring. If so at least get a set of hi comp alum pistons. Have the cam re-ground to stock (it's got 0ver 68 yrs wear on it ) and maybe higher ratio rockers and if timing/mag or dist / carb are all tuned right then that's not much more than a regular top end overhaul but will make a lot of diff over base line. When that late A was new there weren't many (if any) 35-40 hp tractors that could out pull it. And you would probably be at 45 when done. It probably has no more than abt 32 right now. Think they were abt 38 new.

Early B · Mar 17, 2016

Good vavle job, port match the head & intake, have
the cam reground, make sure your carb & ign are in
tip top shape & she'l run pretty strong. Give Josh
Blackburn a call 989 277 5366

big tee · Mar 17, 2016

Trade it for Oliver 88!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BushogPapa · Mar 17, 2016

Best advise is the ADD at least ONE FULL Inch to the Stroke (and that is ONLY 1/2" on each side), change or re-grind the Cam and have a GOOD Multi-Angle Valve Job done..

You will NOT increase the power 30% and retain usability and reliability by any other way than adding Cubic Inches...and Stroking is cheaper than an after-market 6" Block...

Ron.

Mike M · Mar 18, 2016

lol. Those old Olivers used to clean up at the pulls ! Then they sort of went out of favor ? You could take the smallest lightest model and easily drop the largest engine made down into the frame and hook up the chain coupler and away you go.

Leroy · Mar 18, 2016

Remember that a lot of pulls only alow 10% over orignal HP so it would only let you get uo to 42 HP or be disqualified. Same with RPM 10% over.

1948 John Deere A

MI Royal

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