Farmall H Engine Rebuild with no shop?

(Warning: Long Winded Post)

Hello All.

Happy 4th! I hope everyone is having a wonderful and safe holiday weekend so far.

Its been a while since I have had a chance to post on any boards, but that was since I was living in DC, and my tractors were up in NY. Happily, Im back home, and finally getting a chance to get to working/driving/fixing again.

So that leads me to my problem. I bought an all original (I think) Farmall H that after a little carb cleaning ran like a top. I used it for a summer on a JD #5 mower, and then had to park it for the winter (outside, unfortunately). I went to fire it up last fall, and nothing. The engine was locked solid. I pulled the plugs, filled the cylinders with ATF, and left her to sit.

I finally got a chance to get back to work on it this weekend. I broke down and pulled the head to see what the damage was. Cylinders #1 and #4 looked great (I could still see cross hatching on the wall of the sleeve, is this normal for an old engine?) #2 had a few streaks of rust vertically, and #3 was my problem. It still held all the ATF, but it looks like the piston is locked in place. I think water got in the smoke stack (stuck exhaust valve in the head) and then it may have cracked the sleeve.

So really, my question is: Has anyone done a full teardown-rebuild without a proper shop? I dont have any place to stick this tractor thats out of the weather, and Im worried about screwing something up. My thoughts are that I need to pull the engine and remove the crank in order to get the pistons and sleeves out. Having never done this before, if anyone has any other good advice, please let me know!

Sorry for the long winded post, but I figured all the info would help!

go for it
replaced and rebuilt engines outside when I was younger
definitly the right time of year for it
hopefully you have a sturdy tree with a strong branch somewhere to park under
good luck
Ron

Years ago I did many an engine with out having a roof over my head, that is why it is called being a shade tree mechanic LOL. So yes it can be done you just need to cover your work at night and keep things nice and oily when your working on them and when your not working on them

It is not necessary to remove the crank to get the pistons out. I would get a manual it will show how to remove the sleeves. As for the stuck piston. I removed a stuck piston by pounding it out from underneath. I am sure you will get a lot of good info here. Stan

I just put a crank in a 2.4 Dodge Stratus in a friend's garage. Wasn't the best place to do it, but it was all I had. Pulling the engine was a lot of work, but worth it to me because I worked on it with less frustration. Be observant with disassembly and clean on assembly.

About 14 years ago, I rebuilt a CA Allis engine in a 12 X 16 shed. My block was cracked, so I bought a complete used short block and rebuilt it in the shed. Then it was a simple engine swap in the yard under a tree.

I have been in way more engines under a shade tree than in a shop. Just cover it up with a tarp overnite.

I like working better outside since you can see a lot better and don't need a drop light. Hal

If you have a little money, one of those light weight carports from Northern tools or someplace similar might work. Or you could build a temporary shelter from 2x4's and cover with heavy plastic. Just make wall and roof panels and connect them with carriage bolts for storage. Just build it like you would a simple garage with one or both ends open. You could also put a cheap tarp on the ground to catch any parts you might drop.

Take a lot of pictures and make sketches when tearing down the engine. Separate the parts as you remove them and use carboard boxes to the keep parts together and mark the box where they were removed. It will save time during the rebuild. If you remove any part for cleaning make sure it goes back the right box. Hal
PS: It would be a good time to look at your clutch.

Thanks for all of the replies everyone!

I have the shop manual for the H, along with the parts manual, and a good set of tools. I just didnt know if it was a crazy idea to try the rebuild in the great outdoors. Sounds like its something I should go for!

I also have two BN's that are in need of the same treatment, so maybe Ill start with them since they are smaller and it would give me a good feel for what I needed to do with the H.

Im sure that Ill be asking more questions as the days roll by, so thanks for the answers to those questions in advance!