Something large fell out with my oil

teeteeplz

New User
I was changing the oil on my 1949 John Deere A, and this fell out with the oil. I haven't noticed any too unusual symptoms when the tractor was running just prior to the oil change mishap.

I did notice a high pitched squeak that was happening, tied to RPM of the motor. Noise continued regardless of clutch in or out, still or moving. Pictures attached, what is this thing?!
 
mvphoto60098.jpg


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Interesting part of this is, you didn’t change the oil
looking for the cause of a problem, and had no idea
that there could be a part floating around in the
bottom of the oil pan. Could have been in the pan
for decades and just never was in the prefect
location to fall out during a oil change.
 
That might explain the noise. Who knows how long something might lay in an A's crankcase before coming out in the oil.
 
I would be a little more worried about the color of the oil. Anyone else thinks it is gray? Could be just the shading of the picture.
 


To me the oil appears to have condensation in it. You put that together with a probable internal squeak and it could be bad.
 
yeah. that oil above the drain plug in the one picture looks really bad. has or has had water in it.
 
Definitely a gov. weight pin. Take the gov. cover off and look inside to see if the weights have pins in them. You need to remove the dist. or mag which ever one you have first. Make sure to mark it so you get it timed back to where it was later.
 
Thanks for all the insight thus far, hoping it isnt a internal part that came loose. Yes the oil was very milky and bad. It had only been two years since the last change, and the tractor is infrequently used. I checked the pit cock earlier yesterday to determine what the condition of the oil was, saw it was milky and began taking steps towards an oil change. The first part of what came out with the oil was actual clear water, then the Thin chocolate milk
 
Had the same thing in my H years ago after I bought it. A couple of steel balls fell out that didn't match up with any of the bearings. When I tore it down years later
I found a governor weight pin but both cotter pins were in it. Also several broken piston rings but none were missing from the pistons.
 
Reminds me of a Far Side cartoon- Operating room, working on a patient, suddenly a strange looking organ comes flying out. Surgeon says "Somebody grab that- it may be important."
 
Ahahah I like the far side comment, definitely needed some humor to keep the hair on my head lol.

(quoted from post at 06:41:43 08/11/20) Definitely a gov. weight pin. Take the gov. cover off and look inside to see if the weights have pins in them. You need to remove the dist. or mag which ever one you have first. Make sure to mark it so you get it timed back to where it was later.

Okay excellent I will check out the magneto and see if anything missing in there. I showed it to one person I know, and he said oil pump pin? But I dont think he was very concerned with the accuracy of his answer. Thanks for everyones knowledge; Im appreciative of the help.

Multiple people said governor weight pin, so by my math thats my best bet right now. I finally actually measured it and its 1&3/4 long
 
I'd say definitely confirmed governor pin. Thanks guys! I dont know if i should start a new thread for this; but what should I do from here?

I have limited knowledge on major repairs, but I could buy the service manual on it from eBay (currently only have an operators manual) is the OEM worth it vs the I&T book?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SERVICE-MANUAL-FOR-JOHN-DEERE-A-AW-AH-AN-AR-AO-TRACTOR-REPAIR-TECHNICAL-/162731085627

vs the IT manual for cheaper https://www.amazon.com/John-Deere-Shop-Manual-Models/dp/0872880672

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If the tractor appears to run well at this point, should I-

A-change the filter/add oil and see what happens when i run it? Forget about this discovery and have fun until a problem arises.

B-drop the oil pan to look for any additional gears/parts that may have fallen from the governor system?

C- open the governor system and look around to see if things are proper in there? (if C, should I peep behind the governor case cover above the flywheel area or the opposite side of the tractor behind the MAG)

I don't want to open up a can of worms on accident, or be neglectful of a sentimental piece of machinery.

Thanks!
 

I guarantee that I do care very much. My grandpa taught me how to drive this tractor before he taught me how to drive a truck. Nearly 20 years or so ago. And it reminds me of a simpler time, when the family was still unified etc etc.

I also have concerns about squeaks, but I lack the knowledge on the severity of them, or what steps I should take to address them
 

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