40c rod bearings

[krusty]

Hey gang,

My bearing journals are in good shape but the engine developed a significant knock last week. I thought I would try the easy approach first before a complete tear down and just replace my rod bearings.

Clevite number on them is no longer valid and the Clevite catalogue for the 40 had bearings that where too large. My local JD dealer can get me some in a bit more expensive but I doubt they could tell me if they will fit. Not sure why the Clevite ones are wrong.

Journals are 2.25" which is consistent with the manual. Should I just order from the dealer?

I would order from the website but as I am in Canada shipping becomes a real problem across the border.

Krusty,

[Patrick]

I'm not a very experienced engine builder, but what was the inside diameter of connecting rod bearings. You said the crank journals are good but what you didnt give is the clearance.

Just curious

Pat

[krusty]

Turns out after a search on the Federal Mogul catalogue they have 2 options for the 40:

2205cp 2.249"
2210sb 2.498"

those being from early and late models. I guess I will order the right ones now.....

[Willyr]

You can also get rod knock in the pistons as well you know?

[krusty]

well my new rod bearings arrived today. as I was installing them I rotated the crank for easier access to put the nuts on. decided it would be easier to rotate the crank with the plugs out and hence removed them. One plug was totally messed up and I never changed them since buying them. There was almost no gap and the sparky bit was bent to the side. Now it makes me wonder if I just had the odd misfire with the darn thing. Anyways put the new bearings in and bent the plug back to shape. Started right up and purrs like a kitten. Who knows what it was in the end but I am off to buy new spark plugs now!

[CELSESSER]

sounds like you may have run that choke plate thingy(choke relief valve) through that cylinder. Takes something harder than gas and air to bend an electrode.
Pull the air inlet elbow off the carb and look at the choke plate. Is there a hole in it? Shouldn't be.

Chuck

[CELSESSER]

sounds like you may have run that choke plate thingy(choke relief valve) through that cylinder. Takes something harder than gas and air to bend an electrode.
Pull the air inlet elbow off the carb and look at the choke plate. Is there a hole in it? Shouldn't be.

Chuck

[krusty]

interesting suggestion and although I have not looked I am sure it is still there as I used the choke to start it when I realized I was out of gas

it sure runs fine now and I have yet to really push it but think there is much more power in it.

[krusty]

Part of the frame for the blade where it attaches to the body was not the most efficient attachment so I made some U type bolts for it. Used to be that if I moved the blade down, it would loosen and now I can blade down and lift the front of the tracks off the ground.

Anyways took it through the yard to fix a few things and dozed a 5" tree over without issue. It used to bog down when I went into something that stopped it, now it just spins the tracks. Still have no real confirmation on the engine knock, but with new rod bearings it is gone and new plugs it has much more power than it used to. Let the weather cool and the fun begin!