Case 680E

[Eugen]

You guys are spot on. I've been searching around and yes, it seems that undoing the front engine mount and lifting the front of the engine is a solution. I'll have to figure out a way to do that.

[Eugen]

There were other priorities lately, so no progress on tractors, until last night. Started the 680 and lifted the loader to various heights. Indeed, with the loader all the way up access to work on the engine is optimal. I do have now 3/8 thick angle iron that I could use to lock the loader up, but according to my assessment, I can get the manifolds and other parts out with the loader down too. Yes it'll be more awkward but also much safer, as there's nothing to possible fall on and crush me. So I've removed the two heavy plates at the front, one below the grille, one under the radiator and hydro pump. Also removed the grille. Since I've run the engine for a while, and the engine oil got warm, I also drained the oil. This I consider the beginning of operation "piston". Starting now the tractor will no longer be started, and disassembly will continue.

[Eugen]

Draining the coolant. It's cloudy and probably aged to perfection. It'll breaking my heart to put new coolant in.

I know guys, boooooring.

[JSinMO]

While watching antifreeze dribbling out of a radiator may be boring, this project is anything but! I’m really wanting to see what the inside of this thing looks like. I probably don’t have to say this but since you’re working over the loader arms be careful of your back. It doesn’t take much to strain something while wrestling manifolds and such while bent over.

Here’s to an easy tear down, and no surprises!

[Eugen]

Thank you, encouraging words are nice! I too am curious what we're gonna find inside.

This evening I wanted to have some fun and take the intake manifold off. Thank you @FUTZ for helping and keeping me company, especially in -12C weather. Not much to see in the picture, if you didn't know the manifold is missing.

Taking off the manifold was a very difficult task. From here on it's going to be a breeze. In particular the front engine mount bolt that's impossible to get to I expect will be a walk in the park. Lifting the front of the engine too.

[propane1]

Great that things are moving along Eugen. I will be no help to you, but I will follow along. I’m sure I’ll ramble something out at times.
-12C !!!! To cold for this old bugger.

Noel

[JSinMO]

As @Gordy has said the way back machine in my head kicked in here! You talking this apart in -12C made me remember my dad. He bought a wore out John Deere 450 track loader just like this one.

He was able to shove it into the old shed we used to keep hogs and straw bales in and rebuild it over a winter. No heat, crappy lighting, the only thing the shed did was kind of break the wind! He rebuild that thing front to back top to bottom. I remember it was dang cold but looking back I think he loved ever minute of it! Ended up being a great machine, he did a massive amount of work with that little tractor. Thanks for the memory!

I had to beat Noel to the working on old junk in the cold ramble!

[Eugen]

Hat off to your dad @JSinMO !

In my case necessity is the great motivator.

Today I was given some time to wrench in daylight(real luxury) by my !

Started with the exhaust. Those rusty nuts and bolts are always a challenge, if access to them is restricted. But it came all off after some torch action.

Next, water manifold

[Eugen]

Came out easier than the exhaust.

Then the fuel lines feed and return. I had to switch gears and go into "fine" mode, the fuel fittings are sensitive. Managed to not break or bend anything.

Let's take those injectors out too.

[Eugen]

Next, valve covers off.

After taking in the view for a minute I proceeded to tackle the head bolts. Well, the 1/2 inch drive breaker bar was bending so much I feared it would snap, and the bolts didn't budge. The impact also couldn't do it.

Time for the bigger gun.

Yes, the 3/4 drive 30" long breaker bar did it.

With the bolts out of the way, I pried the head loose with the screwdriver.

But lift it? @RoamingGnome you were right, this thing is HEAVY! The designer must've had a mechanic brother as the head is divided in two. But the half is really really heavy!

just muscled it out. Look at them valves staring at me!

And now gentlemen, behold.

Piston #1

Piston #2

Not that I had any doubts, but now it's clear I'll replace all the pistons.


This is all for today, wife needs me to take over the kids, and I must say I'm satisfied with the progress today.

Wrapped the other 1/2 head and the open block in rags and covered it with tarp.