Vintage tractors petrol engines

Wh800

New Member
Hi iv always wanted a vintage tractor and recently the justification to get one has arisen iv done my homework learnt a thing or 2 to which one is best for my need but the perticular tractor I'm interested in is a 1949 American petrol powered unit my question is how do these engines fair running on modern day fuels is it doable with out damage to valves. Loss of power etc and what r the alternatives if modern ethonal fuels are not suitable would u buy a vintage tractor knowing it has been run on unleaded fuel any info much apriciated
 
Is it a recent USA import, or been here a while ?
If you only intend to do light running about and not commercial work, it should be ok.
Plenty of lead replacement additives available off the shelf should you wish.
Ethanol content is the problem, so use petrol that is only E5 ( 5% ) content or see if you have a local fuel station with Non ethanol fuel ( Esso supreme unleaded I think it was, in the midlands, was ethanol free ) is more stable in older petrol fuel systems.
 
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Wh800

New Member
I'm under the impression it's been in the country 3 or 4 years and part off a collection of 30ish tractors so perhaps not run that much over this period and allegedly purchased from a working farm in Canada and imported thank you for Yr advice I do get the feeling going for a diesal engine is a better and safer choice ? I image a 6.2 litre petrol tractor would be costly to run but I'm not intending to use it day in day out .but will need to run it 20 mile round trips every so often to a woodland I have had an interest in Old tractors for years but really only recently looked into them with more vigour now I'm trying to find one suitable thanks again
 
I'm under the impression it's been in the country 3 or 4 years and part off a collection of 30ish tractors so perhaps not run that much over this period and allegedly purchased from a working farm in Canada and imported thank you for Yr advice I do get the feeling going for a diesal engine is a better and safer choice ? I image a 6.2 litre petrol tractor would be costly to run but I'm not intending to use it day in day out .but will need to run it 20 mile round trips every so often to a woodland I have had an interest in Old tractors for years but really only recently looked into them with more vigour now I'm trying to find one suitable thanks again

It'll not be too bad on fuel unless you're working it fairly hard, will be governed so will be on just a crack of throttle when driving along on the level.

You might want to check it's top speed, some of the older stuff is very slow - 8 mph or less!
 
I'm under the impression it's been in the country 3 or 4 years and part off a collection of 30ish tractors so perhaps not run that much over this period and allegedly purchased from a working farm in Canada and imported thank you for Yr advice I do get the feeling going for a diesal engine is a better and safer choice ? I image a 6.2 litre petrol tractor would be costly to run but I'm not intending to use it day in day out .but will need to run it 20 mile round trips every so often to a woodland I have had an interest in Old tractors for years but really only recently looked into them with more vigour now I'm trying to find one suitable thanks again
Not sure about Canada, but in the USA it could have been on unleaded since the 70’s anyway.
6.4L in my truck and it does 15 mpg on a sensible run. Couple of my mates have petrol tractors purely for road runs.
 

Wh800

New Member
Thanks my main concern was buying a tractor that may have already suffered valve damaged from using unleaded petrol as I was told they had been running it on unleaded this tractor is from the late 1940s so would of I presume run on hi octane gas like our old 4 star originally but as previously stated by masseyman would of ran on unleaded in the states since the 70s.anyway are there any tell tell signs like odd colour smoke etc to look for if valve damage has occurred?
 

MF 168

Member
Location
Laois, Ireland
Thanks my main concern was buying a tractor that may have already suffered valve damaged from using unleaded petrol as I was told they had been running it on unleaded this tractor is from the late 1940s so would of I presume run on hi octane gas like our old 4 star originally but as previously stated by masseyman would of ran on unleaded in the states since the 70s.anyway are there any tell tell signs like odd colour smoke etc to look for if valve damage has occurred?
Bad compression or excessive hissing into the exhaust or intake manifold as you crank the engine over would be my guess. It's not something I've come across tbh so I'm only guessing there. I wouldn't be worried about it once the engine starts and runs nice and evenly.
 
I have a 9n tractor imported from Canada a number of years ago but has been parked . It was intended for
road runs and I even got a registration number for it.
Hopefully it will be running sometime but is in need of replacement fuel tank
There is something about the sound of
a side valve engine !
 

Wh800

New Member
Thank you all for all the info there's 2 tractors i fancy and off 2 c Friday "fore warned is fore armed" as they say I'd like to take part in a tractor run or 2 in east sussex area sometime how do u find out about them? thanks
 
I would say it is very doubtful there will be any road runs at all this year
I am not been disrespectful in any way
but you don't seem to have a huge knowledge of tractors ,so before you actually buy seek advice on this site
 

Wh800

New Member
Yr absolutely right and exactly the reason I joined this site I do have some knowledge of vehicals old Bedford tk old motorcycles various cars etc and have restored 20 plus along life's journey but I know f@+k all about tractors tho I have run a Ford cargo truck for 20 years which I'm told is same as tractor engine with a different ratio gearbox also worked on a farm for 6 years driving a Ford 4000 there's a lot of tractors out there for sale and very obvious to me it's a slippery slope!if Yr not careful so thank you for any advice offered I'll not be offended
 
Thank you all for all the info there's 2 tractors i fancy and off 2 c Friday "fore warned is fore armed" as they say I'd like to take part in a tractor run or 2 in east sussex area sometime how do u find out about them? thanks
Have a Google for shows and vintage events in your area ( obviously doubtful there will be any this year ) or vintage vehicle clubs. Often local village events May have a vintage secretary or steward to give advice. There should also be a branch of the NVTEC ( National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club ) for your part of the country, speak to them and see what they’re involved with.
 

Wh800

New Member
Great thanks. It goes with out saying nothings happing this year and may be not next year if a winter out break is on the cards. I shall have to isolate tinkering with my new old tractor if I find one cheers
 

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