Pig in a poke

[JSTRICKLAND]

Good evening,

I tried to save a 1949 Super A this week and I got a pig in a poke. The head was cracked and now I found a crack in the block as well. The motor was stuck when I bought it and it still is. I thought I got lucky when dad said he has a spare head for it. Oh well I bought the tractor for my seven week old grandson and I to tinker with when he gets old enough to hold a wrench. Now he gets to help grandpa tear it completely apart. Unless I can find a engine or block cheap. You win some and forget about the others.

[havoc1482]

Where is it cracked? And how bad? Some can be repaired

[Bigdog]

A cracked block on an A is not all that uncommon. I have seen several of them. As mentioned - many of them can be easily repaired and will not cause structural issues.

[JSTRICKLAND]

Ok guys the block was cracked long ways behind the carb. Now that I have cleaned the mounting surface of the head on the block it to looks cobbled up. Dad says to hold tight it may not be that bad. So I am holding on. The number two and three piston was stuck but is now freed up. The sleeve came up with number two so I carefully pushed it back in. I plan to work on the engine in the spring so I will keep it lubed and moving.

Thanks

[havoc1482]

Can you provide a photo? If I'm not mistaken what you described is a freeze crack. Its a common crack and it can be repaired. Don't trash the block just yet.

[Bigdog]

That does sound like the common freeze crack found on A's. I've seen everything from stitching to JB Weld used for repairs and the tractor was used for years with no problem.

[artc]

The sleeve came up with number two so I carefully pushed it back in.

there is a large "o" ring near the base of the sleeve that separates the water jacket from the oil sump. it's very likely that by disturbing that seal, it will no longer keep the antifreeze out of the oil pan. you need to replace the "o" rings at the very least, but i suspect that with 2 stuck pistons that the sleeves will need to be replaced as well. sleeve and piston kits are readily available for this engine.

[Dale51]

Just a note that a C or Super C engine block will bolt right in to an A or Super A .
You can also up grade the engine to a Super C alot of the tractor pullers are doing this for more HP.
My brother did this back in the 70s and what a diff. in what the tractor would run off pto and what it would pull.
What we did in first gear we now could do in 2nd gear.

[JSTRICKLAND]

Hey Guys,

Will the oil pump pick up oil from just turning the hand crank or connecting a battery to the starter and giving it spin. If so how long do I need to spin it for? It is on my grandson's 1949 Super A that I plan on working on in the spring. The engine was stuck but now is unstuck. It has a cracked head on it. I can always pour some fluid into the spark plug holes a give it a spin. Although the oil pump would be the easier option.

Thanks
James

[havoc1482]

I believe the engine has to be running for the pump to provide adequate pressure to get oil where it needs to be.

[Super A]

I believe the manual says for an engine that has been in storage a long time, put a tablespoon of oil in each spark plug hole and start it and then watch the gauge. Usually these engines build oil pressure at the gauge just about instantly.
Al

[Matt Kirsch]

Just so there are no false pretenses: Oil in the spark plug holes will do nothing to help the engine build oil pressure. The oil just lubricates the dry cylinder walls to prevent scoring during initial startup.

Dunno about "instantly" though. Not during cranking anyway in my experience. Once the engine fires, the oil pressure does come up, but it takes 2-3 seconds to develop full pressure. I don't think you can develop measurable oil pressure by cranking over by hand or with the starter.