Time to Split the Engine and Gearbox

This morning, I decided it was time to split the engine and gearbox. In the summer I noticed a oil leak from the drain hole located beneath gearbox bell-housing.

This leak indicating that either the crankshaft rear seal and or the gearbox input shaft seal needed replacing.

As I don't have access to an engine hoist, I decided that I would leave the engine attached to the front axle and once split from the gearbox 'wheel' the engine forward using the front wheels and a trolley jack under the sump for support.

As the engine weights approximately 150 lbs and the thought of it dropping on my toes wasn't part of my plan. I took the precaution of using a ratchet strap around the engine and trolley jack to ensure the engine remained centred on the jack and wedging the engine against the front axle using wooden wedges to prevent the engine 'spinning' once disconnected from the gearbox (see photo below).

Having removed both track rods this left both the front wheels free to turn independently. Fearing this would cause a problem when moving the engine I took the additional precaution of attaching a piece of timber between the front ball joint mountings in order to ensure both wheels would remain parallel to each other. The timber can just be seen in the next photo at the front of the engine. Finally both radius arms were released from there gearbox mountings and splayed outwards slightly to clear the bell housing.

With all the engine/gearbox bolts removed but for two, I was ready to proceed. Slackening both bolts so that I had about a 10mm gap between the bolt head and the engine. I then called on the trusty foot of Geoff to push the clutch pedal down in order to 'break' the engine and gearbox joint.

The big moment ! unfortunately, nothing happened. A second go, still no luck. "Perhaps if we depress the clutch pedal instead of the brake ?" offered Geoff.


Two seconds later, and pressing the correct pedal this time, resulted in a satisfying 'Pop' as the engine moved away from the gearbox by 10mm . Totally removing both bolts and the engine was now free to be moved forward as seen in the photo opposite. The red ratchet strap around the engine and jack can also be seen in this photo.

Success a split engine and gearbox ! and surprisingly secure.

With the two parts now separated I could examine the clutch and investigate the oil leak. My first observations was of a worn thrust bearing and also badly worn fingers on the clutch pressure plate. In the photo to the left you can see where the front surface of the top finger has completely worn through !

The the pressure plate will therefore need replacing and a new friction plate. 150 quid of unwanted expense.

Now to identify the oil leak, having remove the clutch and flywheel there is plenty of oil on the engine casing. New seal definitely needed. Interestingly, the bottom crankshaft seal retaining plate has a bolt missing (see photo below). Further evidence of previous 'tamperings'

The pilot bearing in the flywheel is also knacked so I'm looking at the following parts;

Crankshaft seal, pilot bearing, flywheel locking plates, friction plate, pressure plate, thrust bearing and a gearbox input shaft seal.

Enough excitement for one day !

Head Work

With the cylinder head removed I've started the engine rebuild process. First has been the process of removing the valves in order to regrind the valve seats (thanks Al for the compression tool). I've also cleaned and primed the external surfaces of the head ready for its top coat. Below is a picture of the head during the process of refitting the valves.

Whilst cleaning the head, I also came across a date plate mounted on the exhaust/inlet top face of the head. I can only assume this is the date of the head manufacture or head assembly. The date is 21.8.54. According to the FoFH club, Tillie rolled off the production line on the 24th Sept 1954. The date on the head of the 21st August 1954 is therefore consistent with the manufacture of components prior to full assemble. A case of conception followed by birth. I must say, little discoveries like this are one of the unexpected pleasures of this restoration project. Its like being some form of industrial archaecologist. Pictured below is date plate.

Finally, last week was my Birthday. I'm pleased to say that Tillie wasn't forgotten. She benefited from a new seat (thanks to the Taylor's & the Chaffinches) and a new steering wheel (thanks Doreen). The next job is to split the engine and gearbox. Keep tuned!

In the Warm

Latest progress, Half axle fitted, wheel back on and pushed into the garage. Wheels off (due to limited room).







A tight fit but Tillies in the warm for Winter, note the new and shiny left hand side brake drum and backplate.




I can now start the engine rebuild, first job has been to remove the cylinder head (see below).

On first inspection everything looks fine. I will replace the head gasket and check a few other components such as the valves and timing chain.

Hopefully I can then start to reassemble her and start the repainting process.

On a recent trip to a local pub I noticed a poster for a Summer fete, including a show of classic cars and tractors. The Fete's in June. Its about a 7 mile journey across the Ridgeway so I now have a target to aim for and potentially Tillies first show!

Last Rear Axle (hopefully)

Christmas, New Year and 6inches of Snow, its all been and gone since my last update. In fairness its been a period of relative inactivity on the tractor front. To cut a long story short, I managed to well and truely bugger my half shaft. Having stripped the thread on my bearing removal tool, I lost the plot and tried to press the bearing off using a hydraulic press.

2000 PSI later I ended up with the bearing still in the same place and a distorted bearing carrier ! As a result the half shaft has been sent to the great big scrap metal yard in the sky.

Despite this disappointment, the refurb of the rear brake and hub have been successful (see below, note homemade gasket RHS of photo's). Back to the half shaft, second hand item sourced from Swindon for £30 complete with a brake drum, result ! Last Saturday, working in the remains of the snow, I therefore bit the bullet and refitted the replacement half shaft and refurbed brake to the tractor. This was a pretty straightforward task and enabled me to refit the back wheel (below - photo of half fitting).

With the wheel refitted I can now think about moving the tractor inside for my next task, the engine overall.

Even More Rear Axle

H'm mm. 3 weeks later and still no joy on removing the bearing!!!!. I have removed the bearing retaining collar. This was done by carefully drilling the collar and then splitting with a chisel, taking care not to damage the shaft surface where the inner oil seal sits.

I completed the fabrication of the bearing pulling tool. However, when used it, I managed to strip the thread of the jacking bolt. This will now need to be repaired before I try again.

On a positive note, I've wire brushed the brake backing plate and brake drum. These have been primed and painted. I will post some picture of the half shaft, bearing tool and renovated brake parts when I get chance.

More Rear Axle

So the manual says, remove the 6 nuts from the bearing retainer studs and remove the half shaft. What it should say is spend 4 hours with a hammer, drill and various other tools drilling out the studs before you can remove the shaft. The studs had corroded themselves to the axle flange so that removal of the half shaft was impossible without drilling them out.

Anyway, job now done and half shaft removed as per the photo. Two of the part drilled studs can be seen still in the left hand side of the retainer.

I now have the much harder job (according to the manual, so God help me!) of removing the bearing in order to get to the oil seal I need to replace. This will require fabricating a tool to press the shaft through the bearing. Luckily, I have acquired some 2" galvanised pipe and fittings and I intend to use these for the tool. With a bit of luck, I hope to have the tool made for the end of the month (competing in the Dublin Marathon next weekend), and it will be all systems go for the next stage. In the meantime, I've started to clean up the removed brake components ready for a coat of paint.

Rear Axle

Perhaps the Cider making was to much. Last Sunday I noticed a ominous looking leak from the nearside rear brake drum. It appears an oil seal (in fact two most likely have failed, allowing the rear axle's oil to escape. See pic below

Some research on the FoFH forum suggests I have a challenging task in front of me. The outer seal appears to need the half shaft and associated wheel bearing removed. The inner seal is easier in that once the half shaft and axle housing is removed the seal is a more straightforward replacement.


Picture above shows the brake drum removed. Process is slow as I've never attempted this before and nothing seems to want to come apart. Having drained down the rear axle oil this looked emulsified and in poor condition.
With the dark nights drawing in, its a weekend activity (my garage isn't big enough to fit tractor and remove the half shaft).

Thankfully, the brake shoes and drum look in reasonable condition. So new bearing and seals is the first job.

Cider Update

The Cider has been successfully pressed and is now fermenting (we hope).


A really successful day 10 Gallons. Loving Our Work!


Left to Right Rob 'Chaffinch' McPherson, Phil 'Oo Ar' Claridge, John 'She thinks my Tractors Sexy' Gilbert, Geoff 'Flat Cap' Taylor.

Olives, Apples and Tractors

More of a social update than a Tractor refurbishment blog. However, as its part of the story it goes in the blog !
Saturday, petrol tank off and fuel tap removed, blockage found on the reserve side of the tank as suspected. New toolbox and ignition switch fitted. However the most important job is to fabricate a bracket so I can mount a tow ball in order to tow my trailer.









The trailer being the preferred method of conveyance (plus two Straw bales – well done Phil) to the Sweet Olive Restaurant for (left to right) Rob,Geoff, Phil and Kevin.




A 20min or so drive, smiles on everybody’s faces and the general acceptance that being towed by a vintage tractor in a trailer with a beer in hand is the only way to travel!
Above, proud owner, Tillie and guests.

Come Sunday, a further plan is hatched to use the tractor and trailer to go scrumping around the village in order to gather a crop for next weeks cider making project. The scrumping ends down the Red Lion where the ‘Cider Boy’s’ and Tillie are targeted by some local country Girls.

Tillie and the ‘Cider Boys & Girls’ with a bumper crop.

Left- top to bottom Mia, Sharon, Dor's, The Vickster, Minster

Center - Tillie, trailer and lots of Apples

Right - top to bottom John, Phil, Geoff

Road Legal

So having returned from holiday. I have two free days to spend on the tractor. I've set myself two tasks, the first (on Thursday) to take my documentation to the DVLC offices in Oxford in order to obtain a registration document and registration plate number.

Full of confidence, I arrived at the offices. A 45 min wait according to the ticket/queueing system. H'm, not a good start. 40 mins later, my turn has come. I present all my documents, plus four photos of the tractor only to be told that the tractor may need to inspected ! Surely not, more delay.

When I ask why ? the less than helpful assistant, is clearly only use to dealing with the standard lost tax disc type enquiries. Anyway, I leave all the information with her and leave somewhat crest fallen. I had hoped the whole process would have been far simpler.

The second task I have planned is to start the process of removing all the old layers of paint from tractors gearbox and back axle (see below).

A day later I'm pleased with the results and much to my surprise a envelope arrives today with a Tax Disc and confirmation of my registration number plate. I can only assume someone at the DVLA office has applied some common sense.

Re infused with excitement, I spend Saturday, applying the registration number to the front of the tractor, more painting, attaching my new tax disc and adding Tillie's name' to left hand side of the bonnet.

Tillie, Taxed, and Named.

First Outing

On Saturday, I started Tillie, to check out my work. Good news, the water system is not leaking and the temperature gauge is working. The Oil gauge shows 10-20 psi, but is leaking from the oil pipe, so a new pipe is needed.
Whilst working on the water system and gauges I removed the Fuel Tank and on replacing cleaned out the fuel bowl and line. When I brought Tillie, the engine run temperamentally, and would cough and sputter a bit depending on rev's.
When I refitted the fuel tank I noticed that I couldn't get fuel to flow from the small petrol start up tank, but had flow from the main TVO tank. I think the fuel tap needs some investigation. Problem solved by filling the main tank with straight petrol.
Having done this, she started up first time and runs alot smoother. Therefore I'm assuming there is a fuel restriction issue when using the start up tank.
The upright exhaust looks a lot better and sounds really good too.

Having done all this work a little trip to the Red Lion was therefore in order to celebrate.

I've also now received my verification letter from the FoFH. This dates Tillie to Friday 24th September 1954, being one of 227 tractors made that day.
Insurance has been sorted with NUFU at £38 per year fully comp. The next job is to apply for an age related number plate.

Progress - Work Begins

Having got Tillie home, the first area of concern is the cooling system and oil system. Neither of the gauges work so anything could be happening. I've decided to first investigate a water leak from the water pump area.
On further investigation its not the pump but the pump bowl that is badly corroded. Having phoned around this is a common problem on TVO Fergi's and bad news, only second hand parts are available.
A visit to Specialised Welding in Steventon seemed to offer a solution. Unfortunately, the casting is so thin that when welded, further cracks appear ! Option 2 is to flood the surface with silver solder. The result looks good (thanks Frank) but we will have to wait until its refitted and pressurised to see. As I've had to drain down the water system I'm taking the opportunity to replace the hoses, fan belt, thermostat, pump, temp gauge and sender. This should, fingers crossed, mean I have a reliable cooling system.
50 year old nuts and bolts mean a combination of lots of release oil and in some cases heat. The most difficult bolts have been the two holding the thermostat housing down, I guess the ally casting and mild steel bolts are to blame for this. One of the bolts sheared off during removal. I managed to drill this out, but with no UNF taps, I ended up re-cutting the thread as 8mm (Imperial taps and dies added to the shopping list).
The temperature sender was also a pain to remove and I ended up drilling the main body and screwing in a large self tapping screw and then using a pair of stillson's to turn and release the sender.
Another area of interest has been the need to make up a joint for where the pump body bolts to the engine block, this takes be back to my apprenticeship. I've managed to obtain some jointing material and crudely made a joint used the pump body and a ball pain hammer (hole punches also added to the shopping list).
New pump, temperature sender, gauge, thermostat fitted a coat of paint to the removed components plus a new upright exhaust (to replace the underslung one), new battery and new oil pressure gauge and I'm ready to refill and test.
Spend on the above bits so far £230.


Labels: Ferguson TED20 Water Cooling System

What No Friends ?

Come on People, I know you are out there. Register as a Follower, this will at least encourage me to spend the odd 10 minutes updating My Blog. The other options are, working on the tractor or, going down the local.

Geoff, Phil, Pauline/Micheal and friend, Rob, Bob, Carl show some support !

Tillie is Coming Home

Arrangements have been made, Tillie (thats the name of my Tractor) is coming home. Had to post this picture, of the method of transport (thanks Mick) it is so right !

The old Girl is now home, I can't believe the interest she has recieved from neighbours and friends.

The hard work starts now.

Picture

Ok, first picture of my Fergi.

Delivery is proving a little more complex than first thought. Within the next couple of days is the general plan (fingers crossed). However, I've been busy with a few other things. Firstly, I've brought a Service manual for the Fergi on ebay 400+ pages (thanks Zoe). This should be a good investment.

I've also recieved the V55 form from the DVLA. I need this form to register the tractor for road use. The next job will be to send off the form to the FoFH so they can varify the date of manufacfure and then the DVLA should issue a registration plate number.

My first blog

3rd August 2009. Well this is my first blog.

And why ? Well on Saturday I purchased a 1954 Grey Ferguson tractor (a little grey fergi to those in the know). I've then decided to keep a blog on this adventure in order to resolve the problem we all have of taking something apart and then forgetting how it goes back together. Whether this is the correct use of a blog only time will tell.

The tractor is currently 'resting' in a garage on a stable, hopefully delivery will happen within the next 5-10 days (the result of conversation in my local). Once this happens, I will post some pictures and hopefully a plan of attack.