My 1949 WD ( Originally my Grandfather's )
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=154710
Printed Date: 31 Aug 2025 at 6:01am
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Topic: My 1949 WD ( Originally my Grandfather's )
Posted By: Hockeyman
Subject: My 1949 WD ( Originally my Grandfather's )
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 3:42pm
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Here's a picture of my WD. Was originally my grandfather's, was sitting in the garage unused and forgotten about for 25 or so years. The engine was dry seized, block froze and cracked behind the carb... I repaired the crack with JB weld after drilling it out and grinding the block flush. Also fixed the radiator with JB weld on a seam or two. Tried soaking cylinders with ATF, acetone, coke, etc trying to free them up... But I had to force two pistons with a block of wood and a hammer... Rings were rusted to pistons. Heat, soaked, heat, eventually the rings broke off in pieces. Pistons were then cleaned up and I installed new old stock rings found online. Plastigauged the connecting rod bearings and all were well within spec. Installed oil pan gasket after watching Don's video a few times. Had trouble getting the push rod cover gasket I cut to seal the first time... But the second cut gasket worked better and doesn't leak. Added water in to the rad... Thermostat housing was leaking. Broke two of the bolts on the housing. Drilled out and re-tapped the holes. Installed new gasket and lots of RTV to seal it up. I rewired the tractor front to back, installed new wires, plugs, points, and 6v battery. Fired up nicely, and is purring like a kitten!  Here's the cultivator I drove 26 miles round trip to pickup from my aunt's yard this past weekend. Just need to fix the leaking plug on the hydraulic pump now.  
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Replies:
Posted By: Cernunnos
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 4:56pm
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That is a neat cultivator set up. Have not seen one exactly like that before. ------------- 1951 CA, 1952 CA with cultivator, 20 Series 8' disc harrow, 2 bottom pick-up plow, forage blower, 2-row rear mounted drill corn planter, Allcrop grain drill, No. 80T sickle mower, MN No. 130 barge box |
Posted By: Michael V (NM)
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 5:10pm
| I have several of those type tool bars.. |
Posted By: hillmonkey
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 5:48pm
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Nice tractor,glad you saved it.Wondering how the cylinders looked and did you hone them? |
Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 6:43pm
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Hockeyman, Great job bringing this family tractor back to life! You have put a lot of work into it already. Whats your plan for it? Regards, Chris ------------- D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet. |
Posted By: JimWenigOH
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 7:11pm
Nice save on both pieces. I bet it was pretty exciting to hear the tractor run again. Thanks for sharing some photos of your heirloom with us.  
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Posted By: Hockeyman
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 7:20pm
Cylinders were actually in good condition... The rings seized in the pistons so the cylinder walls were virtually rust free. I did use a ridge reamer and hone on each of the cylinders to ensure the new rings had the best surface to mate with. |
hillmonkey wrote:Posted By: Hockeyman
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 7:32pm
The long term plan is a full restoration but at the moment I really wanted to get it to run. Short term plan is to bring the remainder of my grandfather's implements home, AC tow type two bottom plow with an interesting hitch (looks like a pintel type), potato digger, and potato planter (future lawn ornament). Once I have them all in working condition the plan is to use them around my acreage... I have a garden in which the plow, cultivator, and potato digger will come in handy. I also plan on establishing a spruce tree line around the perimeter of my property. My daughter and I started a bunch of seeds when we first moved in almost 5 years ago so they are finally big enough to be moved to their permanent homes around the yard. My grandfather also had an AC B which was sold to a family friend 30 years ago which I'm also hoping to get back into the family. Just waiting for him to want to sell it... |
Posted By: HudCo
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 7:39pm
| graet to see it going no matter what you have to do to it will be . " the most tractor, and hardest working, that you can buy for the money" thats what my grandpa always told me about his wd's wd45's and d17 's |
Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 8:43pm
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Sounds like a good plan. Similar to what I did with our family tractors. Got them running and moving to see what needed fixed next. Will be watching your progress. (no pressure here:)) Regards, Chris ------------- D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet. |
Posted By: Dan Hauter
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 8:53pm
| Congratulations on your hard work and persistence! It's great that you've brought this family tractor back to running condition. Best wishes on completing your project. |
Posted By: Hockeyman
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 9:54pm
I must say it did feel amazing to hear it fire up again... Lots of great memories sitting on that toolbox as a kid with my grandfather. Now I can share it with my kids... When my wife isn't watching us drive around 
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Posted By: Hockeyman
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 10:01pm
It's a neat setup for our heavy clay soil... I need to replace the rotted board that supports the rear tines. There's always something that needs a little tlc. |
Posted By: Hockeyman
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 10:12pm
I won't be doing much now till spring comes around... Have to winch or pull the other implements out and onto a trailer once I clear more brush at my aunt's for access. Was a nice drive there and back on the WD for the cultivator but the weather here is getting cold. I had the shutters mostly closed and I could barely get the engine up to operating temperature. Just need to give the WD a good hot water wash and then winterize it. |
Posted By: Bill Long
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2018 at 3:47pm
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Hockeyman, You have brought back to life and will continue to restore a most valuable tractor - Your Grandfather's. What a wonderful chore. I can just imagine all the memories this brings back. Every time this comes up I always talk about - i know this is boring - finding the first "flat top" WC my father sold. I saw it once and it got away. Have been kicking myself ever since. Congratulations! Let us know how it goes - really does not look bad now. Send us pictures. Good Luck! Bill Long |
Posted By: Mikez
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2018 at 10:29pm
| Welcome to the forum also. Great save. Lots of people take great pride in haveing family history |
Posted By: HD6GTOM
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2018 at 10:40pm
| I've had a couple of those field cultivators, but never seen 1 with a hitch like that. Congrats on the tractor. |
Posted By: jiminnd
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2018 at 11:15am
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I have a cultivator like that, do you have the yoke that bolts near the belt pulley under the tractor? ------------- 1945 C, 1949 WF and WD, 1981 185, 1982 8030, unknown D14(nonrunner) |
Posted By: Ted J
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2018 at 5:49pm
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Memories are a wonderful thing and you've done even better, you've go the tractor!! CONGRATS!!! Glad it didn't take much to get it going. WELCOME and good luck with it!! Grampa must be smiling down on you! ------------- "Allis-Express" 19?? WC / 1941 C / 1952 CA / 1956 WD45 / 1957 WD45 / 1958 D-17 |
Posted By: Hockeyman
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2018 at 11:25pm
Thanks for the kind words... Memories that we never want to forget we share with others. That way when Alzheimer's kicks in, people who we shared those memories with will remind us  The tractor needs a good hot water wash... Covered in oil and dirt from many acres farmed and the rare washing. I will take more pictures once its washed and winterized. |
Posted By: Hockeyman
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2018 at 11:33pm
I do not have a belt pulley on this tractor. The support that is affixed to the tractor frame does connect to the toolbar / cultivator frame as does the other connection to the front of the drawbar with pins. I can take a better picture once its washed. |
Posted By: Hockeyman
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2018 at 11:42pm
I'm also glad it wasn't much to get going... Found lots of good deals on parts online, mostly new old stock items or last of old inventory. Eventually I'll have to put new sleeves and pistons in as the ring gap was near the maximum tolerance. But for the occasional use I'm confident it will be fine for years to come before I do a full go over of the engine, paint, and re-decal. |
Posted By: ac hunter
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2018 at 7:03am
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Great that you have your grandfather's tractor and are caring for it. Interesting cultivator. On the tractor at the front of the battery there is a "bail" looking bracket that goes under the tractor frame, what is that for?
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Posted By: chaskaduo
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2018 at 8:43am
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To me it looks like the hookup point for the front bracket on the cultivator pictured. ------------- 1938 B, 79 Dynamark 11/36 6spd, 95 Weed-Eater 16hp, 2010 Bolens 14hp |
Posted By: Rltool
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2018 at 9:54am
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Nice job getting it going. I have read so many “In search of family tractor “ stories. Keep up the good work. WD/WD45 are my favorite model. Thanks for sharing. Ray W. |
Posted By: jiminnd
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2018 at 10:08am
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Don't need a photo for me, I have one and was just wondering if you had that piece for yours, looks good. ------------- 1945 C, 1949 WF and WD, 1981 185, 1982 8030, unknown D14(nonrunner) |
Posted By: jiminnd
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2018 at 10:10am
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Just went back and looked at the picture, that yoke is on the tractor as pictured, should have looked closer first. ------------- 1945 C, 1949 WF and WD, 1981 185, 1982 8030, unknown D14(nonrunner) |