Colt Case Ingersoll Garden Tractors

@Eugen Try installing the pump and measuring the back lash without shims . Being an older engine there maybe enough wear on the gears to give you the lash you need .

@Eugen at first read of the balancer shim instalation my reaction was the same as yours. Maybe the first step would be to sort the shim washers by size. Hopefully, they will all mic at 0.005". There are 4 locations that take shims. If lady luck is with you, the number of washers will be divisible by 4. If so, then assume an equal number under each post to start. If the washer count is a deviation of of less than 4 and there are shims of various thickness then setting backlash will take more time.

Because of gear wear, there might not be a need for as many shims as originally used. With hardened gears that scenario is unlikely. Checking back lash can be measured with your dial indicator or feeler gauges.

Don't sweat it. We are pulling for you.

@DavidBarkey I see we are both having the same train of thought.

Thanks guys! @Spike188 , good advice, I'll measure the shims. Just by looking at them they are 0.005 and at least one is 0.010. What puzzled me was how to move the crankshaft gear so smoothly (doesn't turn easily) and I also don't have a proper dial indicator magnet stand. Indeed, I hope I can fit the feeler gauge between the gears.

If you don't already have , get plastic gauge for checking bearing clearance . Put a piece across the gear and a piece of fishing line parallel to it . The fishing line will centre the balancer gear to the crank gear . Clamp down , remove and read the plastic gauge on both sides at the centre point of the tooth and add them together to get the total lash .

Sounds good Dave but I don't have that plastic gauge. I'll go search to buy some.

The blue one is 0.004-0.009 so that's the only one I could use. But nowhere to find locally. We'll see...

Eugen wrote: ↑Sun Aug 06, 2023 10:06 am Sounds good Dave but I don't have that plastic gauge. I'll go search to buy some.

The blue one is 0.004-0.009 so that's the only one I could use. But nowhere to find locally. We'll see...

I have some , come get it . I have half a length (6") been sitting in the tool box for a long time .

Thanks Dave! I will come by if the feeler gage trick doesn't work.

Tonight I was able to put in a little work on the backhoe. Torqued the rod cap bolts to 100 ft lbs. The manual says 95 to 105, so I chose the middle. Was a bit hard to get enough leverage for the torque wrench, especially the cap that's above the front cross member, but it got done.

Also started working on taking the 444 mowing deck apart, to change the bearings, but that's for another thread.

Get the service manual they said. It'll tell you everything they said.

Now which is the timing mark?

Edit: something I did not take time to describe was how I got the balancer up on the engine. I was not able to do it with the motorcycle jack. Too short. Then I lay under the tractor and lifted the balancer with two hands sort of like a bench press, and tried to hold it with one hand so I could put the bolts in. No chance there, my triceps were not up to the task. Lastly I used a piece of 4x4 on my belly and the balancer on it. Pushed abdomen up and held balancer in position while putting the bolts in. Phew! Done.

OH NO! It is obvious, the manual said. I usually take lots of pictures on teardown. Then find myself in your position, and it would be the one photo that is missing.