My First Caterpillar

[SJ]

The links described have to be installed so they are pulled with the flywheel pins & not pushed.

[Old Magnet]

Just so I get it straight.......yes, the early D8's had the links pulling the drive plate but as I understand it at 2U5307 at the time the enclosed housing was added the links were reversed to pushing mode. The picture came from a previous BB discussion that made reference to a service bulletin (I think, can't remember) seems that was a solution for heat build up in the links, or something like that. Can anyone confirm??

[edb]

Hi Team,
scan of Service News Letter May 25 1951 page 2 tells us :- see attach.
Hope this helps,
Cheers,
Eddie B.

[Old Magnet]

Thanks eddy,
That's what I was trying to remember. Appears that the tractor serial number inscription in the picture is off though??? as the serial number in the service bulletin is much later.

On second thought, I don't see any reason why the links couldn't be reversed in the field on the earlier units.....so maybe the inscription "after #5307 is correct".

[edb]

OM,
your article I think means that the links can be reversed from 2U5307--up, and SNL May 25 1951 article says that from the factory they are now reversed from 2U14739--up.
Cheers,
Eddie B.

[Old Magnet]

Yup, that's just what I was thinking when I edited my post. I'm just a little slow Thanks for the info.

[bboaz]

I have a 1H setting in the pasture with a complete clutch. The main is locked up but the pony is still free. Missing the carburator and mag off the pony but the rest of the machine is fairly intact. Some of the bottom rollers have been taken off, fenders are gone, but there are still a lot of parts left. I can send pictures if you are intrested.

[bboaz]

Found a picture of the 1H I have for parts. Wrote you a PM that has e-mail and phone numbers.

[pasochris]

I spent some time working on the D8 this weekend. I pulled the head on the pony motor, and pulled the manifolds on the main motor. The good news is that the pony looks great inside. Only a little rust in the intake for me to clean out. The bad news is that it appears the main is full of rust inside. The intake manifolds were all pretty clean, but the exhaust manifolds were full of wet rusty sludge. Water started dripping out as soon as I loosened them up. This could also explain why the oil level appears to be so high up on the dip-stick, I wouldn't be surprised if the bottom of the oil pan is full of water. I'm assuming this means I need to pull the cylinder heads and take it from there? If it is rusty in the cylinders, will I have to remove the pistons as well to get everything cleaned out? Also, could I re-use the head gasket on the pony motor or should I get a new one? It doesn't look too bad.

Thanks,

Chris

[SJ]

EDB & OM I wasn,t aware that they changed direction with the links from pull to push but only in my first or second year with the Co. did I get into clutch work very much but was surprised they made the switch.When I see a couple of my old working buddies I,ll ask them if they remember the change.