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This page will chart the progress of the restoration of the JCB.
Collected JCB from farm where it had sat for 3 years. After filling the radiator and checking oil level started with aid of a little easy start.
Was driven a mile towards home and then boiled up and siezed engine temporarily. After allowing to cool was towed 3 miles home with a tractor. JCB was tow started and engine ran for whole distance home, for power steering and front hydraulic loader.
October 2001
Attempts to start JCB failed as starter motor had been ruined when we tried to move JCB off the road after it had seized. Original solenoid had burnt out at some point in the past and been badly replaced.
Starter motor was repaired locally.
November 2001
New soenoid was recieved for christmas and was fitted over the new year holiday as was reconditioned starter motor.
JCB started for the first time since October 2001. And proceeded to boil up!
Radiator hoses patched and new radiator filler bodged.
JCB can now run for short periods of time before boiling up.
January 2002
February 2002
JCB has been running every weekend but only for short periods of time because radiator has not yet been replaced.
JCB has been nearly completly washed down (around 20 years worth of muck) and paintwork found to be in remarkably good condition.
Managed to get use of farm workshop for a day, throtle linkages partly repaired and stop control now working.
Diesel Filter replaced and gauze in tank replaced with short peice of pipe, as advised for better running
Starter motor burnt out, will cost 80 pounds + to repair.
Still no radiator, replacement found but not yet collected.
Now considering buying Ford Super Major skid unit for spare parts, any offers?
March 2002
Starter motor replaced with one from a David Brown 885 tractor, not historically accurate but will allow me to fit an electric start to replace original lever.
Replacement radiator found in 'freeads' paper. Much closer than original replacement so collected one evening. Cost �40 including all firrings, bargain!
Radiators swapped over, plates had to be made up because replacement is from a Power Major whilst JCB is based around a Super Major.
JCB now useable for work around farm.
April 2002
Used JCB to level 1/2 acre of potato dirt.
Have been offered loan of ditching bucket for backhoe.
Have now started cosmetic restoration of JCB cab, have stuffed large holes with material and fibreglassed over rust, looks much smarter now and less like a sieve.
Am now looking for a rear window and cab roof assembly, any offers?
Power steerinf belt snapped whilst usig digger to muck out pig yards, fan belt is on the way out so use once again limited.
May 2002
June 2002
Little use this month as heavy 'a' level work to be done.
Disaster!
Whilst doing first piece of proper farm work - digging footings for new concrete pad the JCB died. Mixture of factors - Fan belt knackered
                                                 Oil Low
                                                 Running unlevel
                       Result - Siezed Engine!
Dismantling proves initial hope that just head gasket unfounded. Tops of pistons are dry.
Sump Dropped off, shell on number 4 welded to crankshaft! Oh dear!
New Shells brought and fitted, pistons removed for checks.
July 2002
Disaster!
Some rings broken on all 4 pistons, piston no 3 ruined due to lack of water in the past.
Piston rings replaced on 1,2 and 4
Trip to local Fordson specialist produces new piston.
August 2002
Getting there
Pistons replaced
New head and sump gaskets collected, new fan belt collected
How long is a power steering belt?
September 2002
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