Repowered 1960's IH 856 Tractor
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Paul Knauer, Elizabeth, Ill.: "After the 407 cu. in. engine blew up in our late 1960's IH 856 tractor and ruined the crankshaft, we decided that the cost of a new crankshaft and a complete overhaul - at about $6,500 - was more than the tractor was worth. We located a junked-out 1976 IH 915 combine equipped with a good DT 414 turbocharged engine which we bought for $1,600. We then went to a salvage yard and purchased an oil pan, oil pump pickup tube, and a rear mounting plate designed for an IH 1066 tractor. We had to lengthen the 856's side rails by 1 1/2 in. and drop the rails about 1 in. in order to make room for the engine.
"We bought a new aftermarket flywheel and installed a 1066 clutch, which fit perfectly. We also had to reroute the lower radiator hose from the left side to the right side, using exhaust tubing fitted snug against the bottom rear of the radiator. And we had to move the exhaust hole in the hood back about 1 1/2 in. We picked up an air cleaner designed for an IH 966 tractor and fitted it under the hood. We added a band strap to the rear of the front hood in order to lengthen the hood so we could keep the radiator hole in the original spot.
"The repower job went so well that I doubt the average person would even notice. We were able to sell the old 407 engine to a rebuilder so our total out-of-pocket expense was only about $2,000. With no pump adjustments we ended up with 140 hp. We've used it for two years with no problems. It looks sharp and has worked beautifully."
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Repowered 1960's IH 856 Tractor REPOWERED EQUIPMENT Repowered Equipment 22-1-30 Paul Knauer, Elizabeth, Ill.: "After the 407 cu. in. engine blew up in our late 1960's IH 856 tractor and ruined the crankshaft, we decided that the cost of a new crankshaft and a complete overhaul - at about $6,500 - was more than the tractor was worth. We located a junked-out 1976 IH 915 combine equipped with a good DT 414 turbocharged engine which we bought for $1,600. We then went to a salvage yard and purchased an oil pan, oil pump pickup tube, and a rear mounting plate designed for an IH 1066 tractor. We had to lengthen the 856's side rails by 1 1/2 in. and drop the rails about 1 in. in order to make room for the engine.
"We bought a new aftermarket flywheel and installed a 1066 clutch, which fit perfectly. We also had to reroute the lower radiator hose from the left side to the right side, using exhaust tubing fitted snug against the bottom rear of the radiator. And we had to move the exhaust hole in the hood back about 1 1/2 in. We picked up an air cleaner designed for an IH 966 tractor and fitted it under the hood. We added a band strap to the rear of the front hood in order to lengthen the hood so we could keep the radiator hole in the original spot.
"The repower job went so well that I doubt the average person would even notice. We were able to sell the old 407 engine to a rebuilder so our total out-of-pocket expense was only about $2,000. With no pump adjustments we ended up with 140 hp. We've used it for two years with no problems. It looks sharp and has worked beautifully."
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