Seized engine

[Zsk7687]

I picked up a '50 model from a feller this past weekend, with the understanding that the engine was seized. The backstory was it was in a barn that caught fire and some water had got into the exhaust when the fire department put the fire out. He said water spit out the exhaust when he went to start it, so he pulled the plugs and turned it over til he thought he'd got all the water out. He came back 2-3 days later and the engine was seized. His local mechanic tried soaking the pistons with marvel mystery oil to no avail. Took the starter off and tried to budge the flywheel with a prybar and still no luck. After taking the head off the mechanic told him all 4 pistons and 4 valves were seized. Seizing up in 2-3 days sounds kinda iffy to me, but I'm sure crazier things have happened.

I've yet to start on this engine myself, but my question is with this information from his mechanic should I forego the patient/soaking pistons and rocking it in 3rd route and just go right for the guts? Any other particular components that could be causing it to be hung up (I think I read something about the fan pulley somewhere) or is there some other old trick I should be trying? It has been sitting with no fluids in it since the mechanic returned it to him somewhat pieced back together.

[SamsFarm]

I think he got his years confused with days!

I'd start with pulling the head off.

Is there nice looking antifreeze in the radiator?

[inairam]

I would try a few things before the head. One is to open the valve cover and make sure all the valves are free. Remove the spark plugs and soak the pistons with some lube of chouse ( I like 50/50 acetone and automatic trans fluid) remove the starter and try to pry the flywheel and rock the rear wheels while in 3rd gear

The most important tool you have here is patience. You do not want to do any damage. The last one I had that I call lightly stuck took about 3-4 weeks soaking before I got it to turn. If after some time that does not do anything then pull the head.

[Gary Dotson]

It sounds like the head has already been off, probably just loosely re-installed. The head has to come back off, anyway so you might as well do that right away. Then, you can fully assess the cylinder condition, from the rust stand point.

[Zsk7687]

Is there nice looking antifreeze in the radiator?

All fluids were drained by the mechanic he carried it to

[Gary S.]

+1 on 50/50 mix of acetone and atf and see if that helps to loosen it up. Cast iron pistons might have her stuck real good.

[ScottyD'sdad]

I had a couple that I used a 20 ton hydraulic press on, with a round piece of wood over the piston, to prevent breaking.

Ed

[Zsk7687]

It sounds like the head has already been off, probably just loosely re-installed. The head has to come back off, anyway so you might as well do that right away. Then, you can fully assess the cylinder condition, from the rust stand point.

That's kind of what I had in my mind. I'm going to soak the pistons for a bit and try rocking her every so often while I make room for her in the garage. But once I have the opportunity I'll go ahead and remove the head and see what kind of nightmare I'm working with.

[Pap]

Welcome to the forum Zsk.
I hope you can find out the info that will help you.

[Clemsonfor]

Yea I don't buy the original story. Might not even been a fire? Or it sat for months with water on top of pistons before he did anything.

[SamsFarm]

I had a 1951 That was froze up.

I removed the spark plugs and filled each with diesel fuel a few times.

It sat in my building and got moved around over the years.

It never unfroze on its own just soaking in the diesel. It probably sat like that for 5 years!

So one day I pulled the head, and pulled the oil pan off.

It was not bad at all, but it was stuck.

I ended up smacking on top of the pistons with a block of wood and a big hammer. Working alternating blows on different pistons

I dont remember if I took the rod bearing caps off on that one. But dont think I did.

It eventually came loose.

I kept the cylinders wet (probably more diesel) and cranked it over by hand and the cylinders cleaned up good.

I then wiped out each of the bores, reassembled and started it up, and rode it around!

[john2189]

I had an allis b that was locked up. I tried filling the bors with fuel oil and lit it. Ive read that that would expand the cyl sleeves. It didn’t work. Just had to keep hitting the pistons with a block of wood and hammer until it freed up

[SONNY]

Head off --- BIG hammer wood block and BIG torch to heat the inside of the block up along the sidewalls of the pistons. -- Got many engines loose by doing that and never wasted any time with trying to soak them loose which never worked for me! --- Good luck on your project!

[Magnum]

I've unstuck 1 cub and a super m soaking with a 50/50 mix , patients is a must with this . Your results may or may not be the same but it does work . Both tractors run very well to boot . Both took a few months of soaking with daily inspections and some gentle movement ,or trying to move , they eventually came free . If your not in a hurry it's worth a try .