D17 diesel disaster

Got the head pulled off of my D17 diesel today, and it wasn't a pretty sight underneath it. Bad case of years of neglect. I bought it cheap a few months ago, but maybe not cheap enough. Story was that the engine had a major rebuild done to it many years ago, and very few hours were put on it before the owner passed away. Then it sat until I bought it. Engine was stuck; top of exhaust manifold is all rotted away, so a lot of water evidently got into it. Being an optimist, I did try to free it up, with no luck. Anyhow, with the head now off, most of the sleeves are terribly rusted beyond salvation. I didn't pull the oil pan yet to see what things look like on the bottom end. I am not sure what to do from here. I've heard horror stories about parts prices and availability for these engines. Just how bad is it? And if the bottom end turns out being good, is re-sleeving and re-ringing it a viable option, or just another disaster in the making? If memory serves me right (which it usually doesn't), someone had a D17 diesel engine for sale a while back; can anyone shed some light on that, as to whether it ever was or still is available? Suggestions, anyone....? Thanks, Darrel

A guy can get pretty down about mechanical stuff, especially when tired or over whelmed with other things. Discouraged I think they call it... Its just time, nuts and bolts Darrel. I'd check out the main and con rod bearings. If that is all good I don't know why the engine could not be sleeved and ringed? My Dad had a 17 diesel, it was a great tractor, Trev.

Try to save it if everything looks good down below.  I love the smooth sound of that 6 cylinder Buda!

Darrel You are not in trouble, call me sometime I might have a pointer or two that will help you can get the old D17 running again.
Don (816) 914-0643

I think Don Dittmar had a D17D engine for sale.

Well Darrell let me tell you a story that I wouldn't believe if I hadn't seen it. A neighbor came up to the house pulling his 300 IH. Now what? My can blew off my muffler and got water in my motor and it's stuck. Well, we got out the penetrant, pry bars and I don't know what all, couldn't get it loosen up. Pulled the head and it was a mess. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his knife and went to scraping. You know he could peal that rust off slick as a whistle. We cleaned it up as good as we could, coated the old head gasket real good with copper seal and slapped it back together. It started up pretty easily and he went to the field and started to rake hay. I checked about an hour later and it was running fine, was not smoking or using oil and ran for years after that. That being said, since yours is a diesel I don't think I'd reuse the head gasket but you could try it if you wanted too. Now I know this is going to get some of our mechanic friends up in the air, but nothing tried nothing gained. If money is no problem then I recommend fixing it the best that I could. By the way with it setting as long as it has, water etc. I would sure drop the pan and take a good look at the bearings. These conditions can do strange things to bearings. Leon R   Cmo

Scooterboy wrote: Lucky you, you are the newest member of the big headache $ money pit club !!! Let us know some year in the future which pit is the biggest!!!

It would only depress all of us to compare those stories... I got one of them tractors that if I had known at the time I wouldn't have bought it. But honestly driving it today I am glad I did. Got way too much into it but in the end it does jobs that need doing. I think the trick to these things is to do what you can when you can and make sure you feel you will be getting what you want when it is done.

After reading that IH story I was just wondering if you could pull the sleeves and have a machine shop bore them for oversized rings. There must be someone who would know for sure. If the block is not split I think you can save it without getting too much money in it compiled to what she will do for you when done. I would love to have a nice d17 diesel.   Someday maybe.

I do have an early D17D engine for sale. Complete minus inj pimp and injectors. I want it gone so make me a reasonable offer

LeonR2013 wrote: Darrell here is some people to try: All States Ag Parts   877-530-4430. Prices do not look to bad for liner kits.   Leon R    Cmo

I have ordered parts from there before they where good to me and the parts where in great condition.

Darrell, I had mine done several years ago, make sure you get the correct head gasket for the year engine you have. I did not and had to redo it. Had the head done too. All States ag parts shows a overhaul kit # 103566. This book is 3 years old so the price is probably not right. If you want to call them the # is 877-530-4430. I have gotten parts from them before and they were good.

i got a diesel d17 im parting out in the next month if you wanna come to canada it siezed sitting over winter i bought it for the rear end