updated jd 50 restoration w/pics

[farmerjim]

this weekend finished getting the gas tank off, and drained all fluids,on sat. then yesterday finished getting the console, valve train/manifold then the head and pistons off. left side piston was seeing some blow by and the connecting rod bearings were wearing pretty bad around the crankshaft, and i think the play in that had caused the piston to wear a ring around the cylinder wall.also found some carbon deposits on the valves and piston tops. i was expecting worse since i doubt this machine has ever been rebuilt. we've owned it since i was about 8 yrs old, now 31 doing the rebuild on it. they don't make them like this anymore, when i pulled the head i was amazed at the weight of it, and all cast iron. heres a few pics of the process, not sure if you can see it well but in the pic of the head you can see the ring in the cylinder.

 

[DAP]

What year is that machine? After restoration, are you going to put her to work again? I am looking forward to this thread, so don't stop posting!

 

[farmerjim]

shes a 52 and will be back to work cutting hay this summer w/ the old jd sickle mower, possibly may go to a show or 2.

 

[Kaliburz]

My eyes can't see what's bad w/ the cylinder......

It's amazing how big the bore is on those 2 cylinder beasts. We have an extra head for our 60.... she fell pray to inadequate antifreeze years ago... but we got her running.

 

[farmerjim]

that pic isn't the best but the piston was getting sloppy and wore a groove into the cylinder wall nothing a little machining wont fix.

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Jim,
Thanks for posting all the great pics, keep them commin ! Im looking foward to your progress ! I have done some red tractors but no green so Im very interested in your results

 

[BobG_in_VA]

shes a 52 and will be back to work cutting hay this summer w/ the old jd sickle mower, possibly may go to a show or 2.

What's the HP rating on a 50? I've got a friend that has a 620 (58' model I think) and he says his has 38HP. I used to pull hay bale wagons with an A when I was youngster. It was fine as long as you didn't have to start off going uphill with a fully loaded wagon, or stop going down hill....I'm sure you know what I mean....BobG in VA

 

[farmerjim]

another update on the 50 my dad had some time and he took the valves out, one was burned. which would account why we couldn't get the 50 to run smooth since last spring. next step is off to the machine shop for an overbore of 45 thousands and a valve job.

 

[Egon]

Thank you for the pictures. Keep them comming.

 

[farmerjim]

update on the 50 restore. ordered the pistons and bringing the valve train and cylinders to the machine shop. also have everything cleaned up and started blasting the rims and other metal parts, along w/ degreasing and getting it all prepped for paint. i'll get some more pics as we start to get her back together. right now it looks very boring on blocks and tore down.