Rusty redneck B flywheel issue...
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=206869
Printed Date: 30 May 2025 at 2:53pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Rusty redneck B flywheel issue...
Posted By: ekjdm14
Subject: Rusty redneck B flywheel issue...
Date Posted: 28 May 2025 at 7:48am
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Well folks, during the forum outage my chino-carb arrived (Marvel Schebler TSX replica listed for Farmall) so I modified the linkage to suit the Allis & installed/tuned that. After getting the tractor running well (better than she's ever run as a matter of fact, the chinky "Gxywady" brand carb works just great) I did notice an ominous rumbling/grinding sound that appeared to emanate from the bottom end. Initially thought this was the loose main bearings coming back to haunt me although oil pressure remained good still. Anyway, moved the tractor over to the car to inflate the tires and noticed the noise quietened down as I pressed the clutch, and then it got louder quickly & lost drive. Before I could shut the engine down it changed note and the idle went super lumpy like it had a big cam. Touching the throttle out of curiosity and she revved like a sport bike! Shut her down and noted the flywheel continued to rotate in the bellhousing so I guess either the flywheel came loose or the crank broke  Hoping it is just the flywheel bolts backed out & not done too much damage to the crank, else it's looking like engine swap time for the old girl. Strange thing is, I never had the flywheel or clutch off the engine & it all appeared to be fully installed when I bought it. Guess that just goes to show you should never trust "the last guy's work"! Will let you know what I find when I get her split, fingers crossed not too severe! ------------- Stuck Farmer |
Replies:
Posted By: Les Kerf
Date Posted: 28 May 2025 at 11:22am
Yikes!  |
Posted By: ekjdm14
Date Posted: 28 May 2025 at 12:24pm
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Yikes indeed, I suppose its really my own fault for assuming the flywheel hadn't been messed with because the clutch was already installed. Especially given the history of the engine. Anyway got the tractor split now and it's plainly obvious the flywheel was only ever on with two bolts (who knows how tight they were either?) Will add photos later when we get home as on phone currently, but I'm just guessing cobwebs in the bolt holes ain't a good sign? Lol. Fortunately the crank seems ok and only one bolt is broken below the surface, other one is broken flush and threads look fine in the other pair so it's looking hopeful for a fairly quick n easy repair with just 4 new bolts and lock washers. ------------- Stuck Farmer |
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 28 May 2025 at 12:44pm
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sounds like minimal damage with the flywheel.. good luck with repairs.. glad the Chink carburetor worked out for you !! ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: ekjdm14
Date Posted: 30 May 2025 at 10:32am
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Yeah, got pretty lucky really. With luck should be photos of the minor carnage now, along with spider webs where bolts ought have been! Looking at the broken bolts I'm going to say they were not particularly tight, looks like one broke from fatigue and the second one began working it's way loose (there's my noise!) before also shearing.    Just a tiny scar on the crank that needs dressing with a file, and extract the broken bits of bolt & be back in business. ------------- Stuck Farmer |
Posted By: Allis dave
Date Posted: 30 May 2025 at 1:06pm
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That was lucky. Glad it wasn't running wide open. Last guy must not have known or cared much. |
Posted By: ekjdm14
Date Posted: 30 May 2025 at 2:47pm
Agreed, back when I bought the tractor as a pile of bits the last owner had given up after fitting fresh big end bearings & the crank was tight. Turns out it had been assembled with no shims. Not knocking the previous owner mind, this was a stalled/failed restoration of an American tractor in the UK well before the internet was a thing (probably very early 1980's) so information was probably quite hard to come by at the time. The flywheel situation I feel is on myself for not checking behind the clutch before installing the engine, a lesson learned  ------------- Stuck Farmer |
Allis dave wrote: