Have you ever seen this?

Wyotex

New User
1951 TO30 Z129 (cracked block of course). Between all cylinders there is a hole thru the casting in the area where the sleeve o"rings seal filled with silicone. It appears to be a cracked block repair? I have never heard of this technique. Engine has been overhauled using blue silicone everywhere including on the head gasket!!! Reason of discovery is a broken crankshaft.
<image src="http://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/photos/mvphoto10962.jpg"/>
 
No pins or tension rods. The silicone showed impression of crack. Seems like it would slow or seal the leak.
 
Well.... I'll tell ya... Z129's are famous for cracking between #1 and 2, 2 and 3 and 3 to 4. Just at the web... where the O-rings are suppose to be water tight, or at the top, under the head gasket... yours.... is cracked in half in to the main bearing housing... it's time to 'stop the job' and think about this whole project...
btw, from the looks of the stain on the bearing housing... that may not have had the right bearing in there, or not installed in the right locations. Which might be why the crank broke on ya. This poor thing got lots of problems going on... or did...
 
Thanks for the input Tony. I bought it broke and partially disassembled. I just thought that holes & silicone was an oddity and an "out of the box" repair. Not into the physics
of contraction/expansion but would think the center main would hold the block together, just add stop leak. I'm still evaluating the rebuild/scrape situation. I would guess
there are many Fergusons out there cracked but still functioning so we will see?
 
I see your point Dieseltech, like a line bore gone bad. Good advice and I appreciate your input! Definitely would have a shorter lifespan. Question is hours per day and RPM. Thanks again!
 
I'm thinking it's time to give up on the Continental engines all together and begin looking for an engine swap from some other more common and readily available and inexpensive doner vehicle.

And NO, not V8's or diesels or anykind of a massive or long engine that would require alot of other reworkingin to the tractor.

Just a good 4 cylinder engine or maybe even one of large displacement Briggs and Stratton engines etc.

A doner engine of BEST fit!!!
 
And i'm surprised that none of the vandors or parts suppliers havn't offered at least an engine adapter to allow some other engine to be used.

I really do like continental engines of ANY application.
 
And i'm surprised that none of the vandors or parts suppliers havn't offered at least an engine adapter to allow some other engine to be used.

I really do not like continental engines of ANY application.
 
I had a couple of blocks like yours from my late Brothers machine Shop. We built forms, placed block in forms, filled with Concert, added a Cable and now they are anchors for the Dock:

Bob....
 
Thanks for all your input, experience is always good advice. I agree with PackardV8, bad engine design and popular tractor why not offer an adapter. Answer; if you love a Ferguson you deal with it, otherwise buy a different brand. A hybrid Ferguson is not what I want. Still curious about those holes between cylinders. Thanks everyone!
 
Has anyone tried a Farmall Super C, an Allis C, or a Case VAC?

You need structural strength in the block, or you'll have to build a frame like Oliver or MH.
Most automotive engines are short stroke. Tructors usually need long stroke for lugging power.
 
There was a fellow here in central Pennsylvania that drilled and used what appeared to be ready bolt to keep the block together. Some how used a sealer on the cracks and where the bolts went thru the water jacket. The fellow I used to work for had a few of these done. I had reassembled the engine sent them back to work and I haven't ever heard from the users. This was done about 30 to 40 years ago.Might be able to get a machine shop to do that.
 
Thanks for the input. The block has no redibolt or tension rods holding it together, only these presion drilled holes between the cylinders filled with what appears to be silicone to seal the crack. I plan to rebuild the engine this summer and see what happens. The tractor will see minimal use!
 
Update FYI; I now have roughly six hours on my cracked block engine rebuild. The oil is clean and after a week parked the radiator still has pressure when removing radiator cap! I used two different block sealers following the directions as best as a reality situation allows. All work was performed by me so I know exactly what was done and how it was done. My methods would not be approved by all of you but I have a functioning TO30 that was repaired with faith and love. My thinking was if a Ferguson can endure the abuse and neglect that many of them receive what would a little misguided love result in? I still have a long way to go but it's heart is beating again.
 

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