I recently purchased a L3430 HSTC 4wd with FEL for $1300. I was told the engine was seized and that it had been sitting about three years. After dragging it home I put a battery in and checked the hours 3700. The oil filter has 3500 written on it 12/2010. After further investigation I found it wasn't locked up but I still didn't want to try starting it. I looked it over and found a small crack on the left side of the block at cylinder #1 my pocket knife popped out a pea sized piece where the crack was. Soo broken rod so no core which adds another $1k to the price of the engine. I WAS expecting to buy one or rebuild it. I am worried about the trans and would like to drive it around some before I drop $4-5K on a rebuilt motor. Should I pull the pan and rod, reinstall the pan and run it on two just to test the tranny and hydros? The block may be slavagable if the hole was welded and it isn't completely trashed inside. I have found OEM rebuild kits for $1200 plus machine shop labor and at least one new rod. I feel I'm still a head now but don't want to go in the red bringing it back to life. Suggestions?
L3430 blown engine!
- Thread starter 81Ian
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North Idaho Wolfman
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Your telling us that you bought a L3430 Cabbed HST 4wd for 1,300????
I'm finding that really hard to believe!
And I'm finding it even harder to believe that your worried about investing 4 to 5K into a tractor that's worth 22k to 25k.
I'm finding that really hard to believe!
And I'm finding it even harder to believe that your worried about investing 4 to 5K into a tractor that's worth 22k to 25k.
Welcome aboard Ian. Can't quite figure this one out either. With a post count of 1, it could be you aren't all that familiar with tractors (and their value) and have stumbled onto the deal of the century.Your telling us that you bought a L3430 Cabbed HST 4wd for 1,300????
I'm finding that really hard to believe!
And I'm finding it even harder to believe that your worried about investing 4 to 5K into a tractor that's worth 22k to 25k.
I shouldn't even say this, but you need to understand that with things the way they are on the internet these days: I could imagine another post indicating that you are giving up on the repairs and are willing to ship it anywhere in the CONUS for $1,000 immediately after receiving the funds
Dude your right you don't want to spend the money,, Im hooking up the trailer now and will see you in about 20 hours with 2k in hand. No point in you having to get rid of a piece of junk like that, yes sir that's what friends are for,..... and your address was ????
I know this tractor is worth 12-15K. I had the vin run at the local dealer and it came up clean there. I'm not dumb just cheap. i'll upload a few pics later so you can see just how beat she is. P.O. was a contractor and it was used at job sites. He is selling his property and didn't have time to hassle with it. I am an aircraft mechanic and have a A&P not real familiar with diesels but I can learn. I have already downloaded the WSM for $10 and these engines are put together differently than most I've seen. BTW I prefer to be a lurker before I post. Thanks again.
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No worries mate. I'm like you, very cautious about dumping $$$$ into a pile of junk. You can spend more on repairs than the unit is worth. I've spent lots of time and money on repairing beat machines and regretted most of them. Very few turn out to be bargains.
I didn't mean to imply you were dumb or offend you at all. I don't consider myself dumb (others may) but I couldn't guess what a lot of things might cost if it is a new area of interest.
So should I pull the rod, or just let it beat it's self to pieces some more. I just want to drive it and operate the hydros before i start investing into it. Anyone dig into a 03 series engine before?
We're just messin with ya my friend
ya got one hell of a deal even if she does need a new heart. If it was me, and with winter on its way would really think about yankin it out tear it down and see what you need, a good weld job might be all it needs and some TLC and even if you have to find a rebuilt motor your still way ahead of the game
ya got one hell of a deal even if she does need a new heart. If it was me, and with winter on its way would really think about yankin it out tear it down and see what you need, a good weld job might be all it needs and some TLC and even if you have to find a rebuilt motor your still way ahead of the game