12hp engine problem....
 

I have almost completed my restoration, the tractor starts, runs & drives. Until today. It seemed as thought the engine was seized at first, starter would not turn it. I had to manually turn the engine with a strap wrench to loosen it up. with persistence, I was finally able to get it started. Once it was warm, it started no problem. After it cooled, same problem. Any Ideas? Clutch disengaged, oil full, starter ok. :bigthink:

Did you do any work on the engine before this happened?

I changed the head gasket & oil pan gasket. I removed and reinstalled the piston, did not replace anything. Just cleaned it out well.

Only thing I can think of is you may have a ring problem or you may have a rod seizing on the crank. You shouldn’t need a strap wrench to get it loosened up. Something is wrong and I strongly suggest that you stop trying to turn it over until you find out what the problem is because it will only get more expensive if you don’t. In my opinion the guys you want to talk to are Merk and Matt G. They have forgotten more about these engines than I know.

OK, thanks. I am new on here, is there a way for me to include them in this thread, or contact them?

I just find it weird that it is frozen when its cold, seems bass-ackwards...

You can PM them.

Not if the rod is seizing to the crank.

could you have put the rod cap on backwards? they are marked to only go together one way. also the oil feed hole in the rod needs to face the camshaft,

I agree with Don.