A Thermosiphon John Deere

Missouri man "hammers" out a creative solution to a vintage engine challenge.

By Jim White
Updated on June 1, 2022
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by Jim White
The finished project, running at the Oblong Antique Tractor & Engine Assn. Show. Note the unique use of a sledgehammer.

The project started with a non-running (but not stuck) 1-1/2hp engine. The magneto did not work, the igniter was stuck and the gas tank was rusted out. It was a great engine for a complete rebuild. Disassembly was the normal routine with no major problems, except for the fact that the block was worn out and needed a sleeve. The first part of the reconstruction was to take the block to a machine shop for a sleeve.

1-1/2 hp john deere engine block in disrepair

The right amount of force

a pipe with a section cut off

While waiting on the block repair, I cut off the top of the engine’s water hopper using a plasma cutter and lots of grinding, followed by use of a piece of 5-inch steel pipe to replace the top of the block. The pipe was not an exact fit, but by using a 10-lb. sledgehammer (in several tries), I adjusted the pipe to the proper angle.

engine block with the hopper cut off
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