Oil & Fuel 1949 no oil pressure

cfb · May 5, 2012

hello, guage was working when bought the tractror a few years ago. did not get much use, but started it periodically. last year did not start, ended up getting it started with a new ignition switch, but got no oil pressure and in short order, cranking stopped. I disconnected both ends of the pipe that is connected to the guage, and nothing was pumping through. I hear then my next step is to look at the pump. how extensive a project is that and what do I do once I get to it. One person said if tractor was idle for a while, the gears freeze up, so just have to get to it to I guess unfreeze it. appreciate the help. thanks. new and inexperienced tractor owner.

Soundguy · May 5, 2012

please stop listening to the peson who told you the 'gears freeze up'.

if this is that 8n you spoke of in another message ( 51? she get older? ) the oil pump is driven off the front main cap. ( is the fmc )

many times the oil pickup tube gets cracked or comes loose.. but sometimes you get lucky and she just needs the pump primed.. ont he front of the engine will be a big 15/16 or so hex headed 'bolt' or plug.. it's the oil relief plunger.. pull it and the spring and plunger under it... shoot a few ounces of thick oil in there.. like gear oil.. then slap it all back in plike it came out and start cranking before the oil runs thru.

post back

cfb · May 7, 2012

thank you. this sounds like a much better alternative, and one I think I can do, at least hope so. If you don't mind: 1. what normally is present that keeps the pump primed so that I don't have to do this on a regular basis. 2. can you explain what that pickup tube is /does?

no, the 51 is my sons.
sorry for the delay in response. in the normal thread, you comment was not there, but others were. However, you were the only one here, whereever that is - I went to "my home" and saw it. thanks again.

Soundguy · May 7, 2012

the pickup tube is the pipe that runs from the oil pump to the base of the oil pan where there is a lil head that is cradled in a wire basket / cup that is attached to the big bung drain plug.

the tube is , I believe, silver soldered in to the pump.. sometimes the joint cracks.. or the tube comes out altogher and hits the bottom of the pan, or wraps around the crankshaft ..

if it continously looses prime, but holds good oil pressure.. I'd say cracked pickup. if it looses prime alot and has bad oil pressure.. I'd say worn out pump

( could be both! )

a serviceable pump with correct tolerances and a oil film onthe gears is what lets it start pumping oil at startup.. IE.. it's a gear pump.. etc..