Hi Mark,
well done--thought the Melbourne restrictions lock down zone might have snookered your retrieval plans but apparently not--vital piece of contracting equipment that just needs a smidgen of TLC to enable it to help save us during the next fire season.

Sorry I am stuck here now in the Disaster declared area for the foreseeable next 6 weeks thus far proposed and so cannot travel more than 5 K's (3 miles) from home as well as be outside more than 1 hour per day for essential reasons to come and check it out with you.

Looks almost intact but sadly open in most areas for that evil water to get at it.
At least it is saved even if it becomes a monument.

Thanks and Cheers,
Eddie B.

Thanks Guys
Not to worry Ed, I’d say there will be plenty of time. Dropped the manifolds off today and the heads were completely full of water. Had been parked with the decompression lever open so all cylinders likely full including inlet manifold. I’ll pop the heads off tomorrow and see the complete affects. Pics after that, probably for moral support more than anything.
Thanks Col, heard the season was not going to well up your way. The tractor was in Gippsland, it’s always wet down there. We were lucky to get it out.

After towing it off the truck and around to the shed, this little helper decided to come out for a chat. Hope he works alone!!

Hi Mark,
good job done on that blighter--the best type of Joe Blake is a dead one.
Keep eyes peeled for more before your lads get to assist on that mighty Diesel Fifty.

Yep, Temperate Rain Forest is hard on machinery stored outside for nay length of time.

Keep smiling, we hope it has been re-bored in the block to take 5 3/4" bore liners--I think Andrew Jackson has been involved in a re-bore update at some time past.

Cheers,
Eddie B.

Hi all,
We managed to remove the heads and found no 2 in poor condition. Piston seems ok but liner is badly pitted and seized Pritty tight. No 4 is the next worse but salvageable with 1 and 3 in ok condition. On a brighter note managed to get the pilot motor freed up without any noticeable damage. Magnito had spark even with the housing completely eaten away between the magnets. Will need a valve grind but other than that a new head gasket and some plugs and she’ll fire right up.
Looks like the right hand steering clutch is in trouble but everything else seem ok. I’d say that’s the reason it was parked up but who knows.
Next will be to remove the pcu and make sure the main clutch is not stuck before we attempt to un stick the diesel.
At this stage it looks like I’m on the hunt for the following items
1 liner (long shot I know)
4 top carrier rollers
The correct side draft carby for the pilot motor
Gear stick mounting cover
Probably some steering clutch bits but who knows at this stage.
Some pics


Thanks
Hutchy

Well done Hutchy, she will be purring in no time! It looks like that engine has been through a workshop before with the new paint on it, the head gasket looks nice from where I'm sitting.

I assume you can re-sleeve those liners if necessary, probably easier than trying to find replacements, are they 5-1/4"?

I'm amazed that Tiger snake didn't latch onto you, where was it hiding, in the open tranny?

Keep up the good work
Mike

I have a 5 1/4 liner that maybe reuseable. Wont be home fore a week or so.

Thanks Mike, I was thinking about putting a sleeve in the bad liner I reckon it’ll work. The snake came out from underneath somewhere gave dad a fright but he was pretty cold and slow. Got the dogs attention lucky it was cold.
Thanks Andrew, I’m keen on the liner but there’s no hurry. I’ve got to put the 13a back together before I can really get into this one (according to dad). I’ll catch up with you soon.
Thanks again
Hutchy

Ha . Ha. Stay focused.
I will have a close look at it when I can. Maybe run a hone through it.