Farm Equipment - New Cylinder Sleeves?

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New Cylinder Sleeves?

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Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
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URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44666
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Topic: New Cylinder Sleeves?

Posted By: kschab92
Subject: New Cylinder Sleeves?
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2012 at 3:33pm

I am in the process of restoring my great grandfathers wc and I'm just beginning to tear down the engine. I already think I am going to replace the valves. My question is at what point do I need to replace the cylinder sleeves? I thought about just buying the overhaul kit but its a bit pricey if its not neccessary. The pistons are dirty on top but I think they will clean up. The sleeves look good but don't have any cross hatching left. Other than that they are smooth with no scoring. What to do? Thanks

Replies:

Posted By: GregLawlerMinn
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2012 at 4:16pm

No real quick answers for you; a visual of the sleeves/pistons/rings is less than a sure way to determine if an overhaul is needed. More testing (and accurate knowledge of the history of use on the tractor) will provide better indication of the need for an overhaul.

A compression test and a cylinder pressure test is a good way to determine the condition of the rings/sleeves/valves. Also, if you a blowing blue smoke out the exhaust chances are your oil rings are bad. You should have 90+/- psi on all 4 cylinders (and they should be within a few psi of each other); if your pressure goes up after squirting some oil in the cylinders, worn compression rings are indicated.

The local auto store probably has a fitting that you can screw into the spark plug hole and hook up your air compressor and pressurize the cylinder. Air leaking into the oil pan indicates worn compression rings and/or worn sleeves; air leaking into the exhaust or carb indicates worn valves (best if you rotate the engine with the hand crank a little). Sometimes a worn head gasket shows up by the air leaking into the adjacent cylinder.

You would need to thoroughly measure the bore and the pistons to determine if they are reusable.

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What this country needs is more unemployed politicians-and lawyers.
Currently have: 1 D14 and a D15S2.
With new owners: 2Bs,9CAs,1WD,2 D12s,5D14s,3D15S2s, 2D17SIVs,D17D,1D19D;1 Unstyled WC

Posted By: Redwood
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2012 at 4:47pm

I'm currently doing the same thing with my dad and it is my grandfathers tractor. Makes me feel old if this was your great grandfathers tractor. Dad remembers using the tractor and most if not all the maintance. One word of caution. We will be doing the whole kit. though we could get it working this will or should be the last time we need to open it as it will not see much work, so we will be getting it done now and save the work. and other then tha,t the last quick repair on the D17 no issue on the cylinder was detected but after 2 years of regular field work planting a "sticky" piston blew and the rod punched a hole in the block. Not that this would happen to you but if you don't know the history well you want to be sure of what you are putting back in.

Was it still running or in a fence row?

Posted By: j.w.freck
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2012 at 5:24pm

greg pretty well said it,but i would ck.and see how much a ridge you have at the top of the sleeve.if it is a real heavy ridge you can assume well worn.also ck your piston for slop at the half way point and at tdc.what kind of oil pressure did it have??if it has a light ridge you can take it out with a ridge reamer,and possibly re ring it and get by.those allis sleeves are pretty tough,especially the 230 buda diesel sleeves..