Engine swap complete

[Jim Meade / Iowa City]

I have an Oliver 1755 that I really like, but it had a 283 ci gas engine that I could never get the carburetor right on.  So, in a fit I decided to buy a diesel.  I got a 105 hp 310 Waukesha from an 1855 a couple of years ago.  Finally, this summer, for some reason I got around to making the swap.  I had to put a return line to the fuel tank.  Had to get a couple of different parts such as a hood with the right holes in it, a shut off cable, a switch for the engine pre-heater, a different throttle rod and so forth.  After filling all the fluids, I spend a while getting it primed and then got it running.  So far, it runs fine.  I have to put the ROPS on it.  I'm painting that now, but it should be a pretty nice old tractor.

[jrsiajdranch]

JIm where did you get a rops for that tractor? I have a 1650 I want to get rops for. JR

[idalivered]

Not Jim but,  obrien co. implement  at sheldon iowa often has old oliver parts.

[Jim Meade / Iowa City]

JR,

I bought this ROPS as an after-market item from Saginaw County Tractor in Michigan:

http://www.saginawcountytractor.com/

It cost me $1300 plus $150 shipping (to a commercial address).  He makes them.  Mine was unpainted.  It seems substantial and looks pretty authentic to me.  Bolts came with it, but not the pad that goes under the uprights.  Bolting them just to the axle carrier is not strong enough, to me, as I'd think it would break the ears on the casting;.  Oliver sells them with a heavy steel pad that goes under the axle carrier and the bolts go up through it, then through the holes in the axle carrier,  to the upright.

Gary Prissel "The Tractor Doctor" in WI sells used Oliver & White ROPS but gets up around $2k or better.  715-875-4887.  O'Brien County does not have ROPS.  I don't think Franzen Family Farms in Iowa does either.  You might try Rock Valley, IA but I haven't called them so I don't know.

http://www.rvtractorparts.com/

[nwobcw]

When did you acquire that tractor and when did you start having carb problems?  I had a Massey gas tractor that we bought new and in about the late 80s when they started taking lead out of gasoline it started causing me problems.  I took the head off and had it all gone through with hardened seats etc.  Started using premium fuel, spent hours on timing it, rebuilt the carb numerous times.  All to no avail.  Finally gave up and sold it at an auction and bought a new diesel mowing/chore tractor.

[r3020]

We have 706, 3020, and 1950 JD B all gas. Had a LOT of carbonation problems when they took the lead out. Started using Cen Pe Co gas kleeneze it and it helped a bunch.

[Jim Meade / Iowa City]

I go the tractor about 8-10 years ago and for quite a while it worked fine. I use 10% ethanol but also use lead additive religiously.  Sometimes it would work fine and others not.  I got tire of not knowing whether it would be OK or not.  The diesel seems to run fine.  I have one more modification to some bolts and hook up the lights and it should be good to go.  Only other big thing is I want to take the 18.4X34 off an 1855 and swap them with the 18.4X38 on this one.

[siloguy]

Seems like a good swap. Did all the things like flywheel, bellhousing and motor mounts swap right over from the 283 gas engine?

[Jim Meade / Iowa City]

Yes, the only things I had to change were the hood (stacks come out different places) and the items that were unique to a diesel, as opposed to gas, such as fuel shut-off, throttle linkage, etc.  I used a different clutch but it and the bell housing and the over-under drive bolted right up.  It's a really simple swap.  The block is essentially the same and the 1755 used the 283 gas and the 310 as the diesel option, so there was nothing to it.  Did the last pit of paint touch-up Sunday and today I will modify a couple of bolts on the new ROPS and hook up the lights and put the old girl to work.  Oh, and change the location of one pin on the 3-point arms.  I found they were in different holes, as if it had been used with a 2-point plow.

[nwobcw]

I tried octane boosters of all kinds.  Checked for water in the gasoline etc.  All new ignition parts.  What you used is about the only thing i didn't try.