1969 John Deere JD400 tractor - need parts

[Brokk]

So the good news is, once I pulled off the pipe, it looks like a simple brazing job, rather than needing to rebuild the pipe. There was a thick metal collar around the end of the pipe and where the pipe went into the collar it split open along the collar, about 1/3 of the way around the pipe. It looks like two other connections near the collar were also brazed in the past and are holding well. Took some time to find a brazer in the area though. Seems like most welders are specialists today, only working with particular materials or structures. A steel tubing manufacturer was able to recommend a local who could handle the work though. Dropped it off this morning and I'm picking it up this afternoon. Wish it wasn't raining so I could install and test it...

Of course now I have a better excuse to go buy an oxy/acc setup and some brazing rods for the next time I need something like this.

 

[Brokk]

Quick question here, in hopes of finding someone familiar with this tractor.

I've noticed exhaust coming out low on the side of the tractor. At first I thought it was a leak from the exhaust manifold which is on that side. Then when looking from under the tractor one time, I noticed it was coming from a pipe, that runs up along the side of the engine, over and back down to the top of the engine. I've scoured the repair manual back and forth several times, but I can't find a reference to what this is for and if it should be doing that. I do see it in the pictures when it's talking about other parts of the engine. So I know that pipe is supposed to be there.

It reminds me of a pressure overflow pipe on a water heater.

Any thoughts?

Brokk...

 

[mmurphy]

Quick question here, in hopes of finding someone familiar with this tractor.

I've noticed exhaust coming out low on the side of the tractor. At first I thought it was a leak from the exhaust manifold which is on that side. Then when looking from under the tractor one time, I noticed it was coming from a pipe, that runs up along the side of the engine, over and back down to the top of the engine. I've scoured the repair manual back and forth several times, but I can't find a reference to what this is for and if it should be doing that. I do see it in the pictures when it's talking about other parts of the engine. So I know that pipe is supposed to be there.

It reminds me of a pressure overflow pipe on a water heater.

Any thoughts?

Brokk...

It is basically a vent.

 

[Tx Jim]

engine crankcase breather tube.

 

[Gil A]

As stated it is the crankcase breather tube. If excess smoke is coming from this tube, you have blow by. Which could be a couple of things, leaking valves, valve guides, etc. If have friend or someone you know who is a gas engine mechanic, have him or her observe it running. Usually a bit of smoke is okay unless you are a perfectionist.
Regards, Gil

 

[Brokk]

Here is a question for you helpful folks, which actually swings back around to the original subject title.

None of my gauges work. Gas, water, temperature, all are non-functional. The only one that works all the time is the RPM/Speed indicator.

I know you can't really get parts for this type of machine anymore, but I was wondering if there might be some after market solutions, especially to things like water/fuel level and temperature.

How difficult would it be to get some of these things working again?

Brokk...