L245DT motor rebuilt help

[ranger danger]

I ran a compression test on the DH1101A and found 180 to 200psi. Not good! I've decided to do a rebuild/freshen up of the little guy! I'm going to replace the pistons, sleeves, rod and main bearings, new glow plugs and injectors and rebuild the head and fuel pump. I would like to try to get a few more ponies out of the little guy. I thought about going .10 over on the pistons etc. That might get me 1 or 2 hp. Does that sound reasonable? Does anyone have any advice for me? I've rebuilt a few gas motors but not diesel. Thanks

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[rbargeron]

There are different ideas about rebuilding. Is the engine apart now? Unless there is obvious wear damage, new or freed-up rings and honed bores will make enough difference to run the machine and decide whether the rest is worth diving deep. IMO ten-over pistons make little difference in tractor performance.

 

[ranger danger]

The tractor accualy runs now. It is hard to start and is VERY low on power. I figured if I'm going to be in it, I might as well do a good job of it.

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[Dave_eng]

Did you do the compression test by adding a bit of oil to the cylinders to allow you top decide if it is rings or just valves.

Before going "all the way," I would wait until the head is examined. A valve job may be all that is needed.

If oil pressure is good, a big investment in new parts and your time may not be justified particularly if you are looking for more power where selling a good running tractor and buying a bigger tractor may get you what you want.

Dave

 

[ranger danger]

I accualy sold a bigger tractor to get this one. If I already have the head off, why not rebuild it? I ran some Marval through it. It didn't help. With me doing the work, I can rebuild the motor for about $1200.

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[North Idaho Wolfman]

Oversized pistons just think it would give you more HP, is a waste of time and money, as the math comes out to about 1/10 of a HP per cylinder.

If it's got enough wear your going to need to either do oversize pistons if available in the size you need or your going to have to resleeve, I would suggest resleeving over oversized pistons as it will last longer.

And note: Sleeves are only semi finished, after install they will need to be bored to final size.

 

[Dave_eng]

I accualy sold a bigger tractor to get this one. If I already have the head off, why not rebuild it? I ran some Marval through it. It didn't help. With me doing the work, I can rebuild the motor for about $1200.

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In your first post the possibility of gaining 1 or 2 HP seemed to appeal to you.

Looking forward to reading about the final result of your efforts.

Dave

 

[ranger danger]

In your first post the possibility of gaining 1 or 2 HP seemed to appeal to you.



Looking forward to reading about the final result of your efforts.



Dave

I have a 93 Dodge diesel that came with 160hp. It now has about 450hp and I still wouldn't mind 1 or 2 more[emoji106][emoji16]

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[ranger danger]

Oversized pistons just think it would give you more HP, is a waste of time and money, as the math comes out to about 1/10 of a HP per cylinder.



If it's got enough wear your going to need to either do oversize pistons if available in the size you need or your going to have to resleeve, I would suggest resleeving over oversized pistons as it will last longer.



And note: Sleeves are only semi finished, after install they will need to be bored to final size.

What's necessary to do the final finnish on the sleevies, a ball hone or??

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[ranger danger]

So, what about just replacing the pistons, rings and rod bearings and leave the sleeves in. A simple cylinder hone and it's good to go. I would have to measure the cylinders to determine if I need oversized pistons.Then rebuild the head and call it done.

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[North Idaho Wolfman]

What's necessary to do the final finnish on the sleevies, a ball hone or??

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A true boring machine is required, not something you can do at home in the garage.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

So, what about just replacing the pistons, rings and rod bearings and leave the sleeves in. A simple cylinder hone and it's good to go. I would have to measure the cylinders to determine if I need oversized pistons.Then rebuild the head and call it done.

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That's great if you don't have cylinder wall damage and the cylinder liners are not already oversized past an available oversized piston!

 

[ranger danger]

That's great if you don't have cylinder wall damage and the cylinder liners are not already oversized past an available oversized piston!

I've never tried uploading a video before so here it goes. I'm hoping that this will help in diagnosis. Its sluggish to start and puffs black smoke until its running, then the black goes away and runs clean out of the exhaust. When put under a load, it blows black smoke again. In the video, you can see there is a substantial amount of gray, blue blowby smoke.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNlzGyus75w&feature=youtu.be

 

[ranger danger]

OK, I got the head off today and took some pictures. Looks like the middle piston has some damage to the top. All the cylinder walls feel mostly smooth with some buildup where it looks like it sat for a long time. I think a quick honing should clean them up nicely. I'll measure them after the honing then, decide on pistons and rings. The valves don't look to good but, I'm not the expert. I'm going to have the head rebuilt regardless. Opinions?

 

[ranger danger]

And the head. The compression readings were 200 in the front, 160 in the middle and 220 in the rear. The top of the pic is the rear.

 

[007kubotaguy]

Hello
After seeing how much blow by you have I would not think about just rings. Just remember what ever ate the rings up went in to the lube system as well. Pull the engine down and check the crankshaft. I have rebuilt many L245's. You can all most always bore them and put over size pistons in.Have the head rebuilt as well. The biggest problem with this tractor is the air filter system . Single filter. If you use the tractor a lot I would look at replacing the filter housing. You can buy a nice duel filter setup on Amazon for around $100 . Good Luck Lance

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

100% agree with Lance, New pistons (very likely oversized), rings and all the bearings.

 

[ranger danger]

Hello
After seeing how much blow by you have I would not think about just rings. Just remember what ever ate the rings up went in to the lube system as well. Pull the engine down and check the crankshaft. I have rebuilt many L245's. You can all most always bore them and put over size pistons in.Have the head rebuilt as well. The biggest problem with this tractor is the air filter system . Single filter. If you use the tractor a lot I would look at replacing the filter housing. You can buy a nice duel filter setup on Amazon for around $100 . Good Luck Lance

Can you send me a link to the air filter you mentioned please?

I'll drop the pan and look at the main bearings when I get a chance.

Thanks everybody for the assistance. I'm no mechanic but I also can't afford to pay one so, I'll get-r-done.

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[North Idaho Wolfman]

Can you send me a link to the air filter you mentioned please?

I'll drop the pan and look at the main bearings when I get a chance.

Thanks everybody for the assistance. I'm no mechanic but I also can't afford to pay one so, I'll get-r-done.

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On that motor you can't drop the pan and see the mains, they are in carriers.
you will need to remove the motor and pull the crank and carriers out the rear and then check them.

 

[ranger danger]

On that motor you can't drop the pan and see the mains, they are in carriers.
you will need to remove the motor and pull the crank and carriers out the rear and then check them.

Sorry, I misspoke. I meant the rod bearings.