John Deere 450B

If you want to get really confused look at the fittings and differant types of hydraulic hoses 2 wire, 1 wire, etc such as JIC threads. Worst part is companies such as Parker hose just give their fittings a part # and series without telling you the thread in their handouts. They seem to limit the info they put out due to the potential liability of bursting hydraulic hoses and the injuries they cause. You practically need the master catalog the dealer has to make your own hoses. Surprizing the counter men who don't know you can't use regular rubber hose with hydraulic oil too. Ran into that many times buying return hose.

Thanks, HJD for the frame mount info. Haven't found any UNF threads on the frame or undercarriage except for the rock guard bolts.

Be careful if you use Hillman grade 8 bolts, they are cheap with the longer bolts and only cut threads about an inch and the rest is left as oversize shank so you can't take a die and cut longer threads. Ran into that with a missing side frame bolt. A 2 1/2" hillman grade 8 had 1 inch of threads while the JD bolt had the correct 1 1/2" of thread to fit into the final drive case. That was another JD special order with $4 freight added on for 1 bolt and a 30 mile trip to get it. I see why some people leave them out if lost and decide 3 of 4 side frame bolts will be ok if the owner/op doesn't notice before he pays for repair. I guess those are the M.T. types Pete/Me ran into. There nationwide and even in dealerships it seems?

I have a question about your 450B as well. Can you tell me if your front cross member to side frame is attached with bolts and nuts or is there a threaded plate inside the side frame that the bolts thread into? The parts book shows a plate but no one can tell me if its threaded or goes inside the frame rail. I have looked at two 450's and both had bolts and nuts and no plate. I'm wondering if the 6 way blade inside dozer frame or a loader makes the differance as i am repairing one and it calls for 2" 5/8 bolts, however the inside dozer frame won't allow clearance for 2" bolts. (they are missing and i can't imagine how they got out past the frame if they were 2".) The other machine had an outside mount blade and enough clearance for 2" bolts. I hesitate to order anything as its a slow pay job but wouldn't want to leave the plates out if they were added for frame reinforcement at a later date. It has a few frame cracks i suspect are from looseness. Some folks use an impact wrench instead of a torque wrench and this machine is a prime example of stripped threads and broken bolts and missing bolts.

Generally I think of a rod when I hear a knock. If it is a rod, then you should be able to pull the oil pan and see wear on the side of the block. You may also want to plastigage your mains and rod bearings. Generally speaking I think .003" is the most you would want to see.

How is the oil pressure? If its a little low then you may have a problem with the main bearings.

The knock could be a lifter as well. Are all the valves adjusted okay?

Best of luck,
John

1968 Case 450