International 300

1955 International 300 (Utility)37 HP Drawbar & 42 on the belt.Five speed plus TAInternational's 2 Point HitchLive hydraulics and PTO
The story is this tractor was a one owner older gentleman tractor. It was stored in the barn and had not run in 10 or so years. The engine was locked up. It was said he used it mostly for mowing pastures and hay work. It came from east central Kansas. (Jan. 6, 2023). Looks like when the tach stopped working there was 3,766 hours on it.

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8-3-23

After soaking with ATF and Acetone, and again with ATF and Marvel Mystery Oil; several weeks to soak, compressed air in the cylinders and dragging it around the farm, the engine was still a no budge. So off with the head.

Cylinders 1, 2, and 4 looked good with only a slight wear ridge at the top. It appears to have been overhauled at least once since the original style pistons are not present. Crank looks good as well. Engine still won't turn. More soaking, prying, and beating. We used Kroil oil as well. Finally got number 3 to move down allowing piston 2 to be removed. Then worked 3 back and forth. Probably should of put the engine on an engine stand, but I was stubborn too!

Number 3 piston was the one stuck probably due to an open exhaust valve. Notice the gunk and buildup in the picture (top of picture on blue towel). I chipped pieces off the bottom of that piston beating it out so it will be a no go. Will go with one cylinder and sleeve kit. Rings and a clean up for the other three along with Rod Bearings.

Will have head worked over and radiator checked as well with it being off the tractor. The original price on this tractor was listed as $2900.00 in 1956 (TractorData.com). Looks like I will be getting at least to that number.

The head was good but needed a complete overhaul. It was expensive... just like everything else! The shop in Higginsville, MO said they use all USA made parts. It seems they did a top rate job.

Removing sleve with a custom made "Puck." High School classmate Bill Luff made this for me in his welding shop. This worked great and with a little effort, it "popped" and started moving up.

Installing pistons: Number 3 received a complete new kit... sleeve, rings, piston and rod bearings. The others were reused with cleaning and new rings and rod bearings. Cylinder walls were honed.

I liked how the dash turned out.

After assembly, brother Arthur performed his magic on the carburetor. I replaced the wiring, plugs, points, etc... and with little effort the 300 started right up. Of course there are adjustments to make... the governor needed attention as did the starting solenoid. The head gasket was weeping, but after a retorquing it seemed to stop. After five hours of use no oil or water mixed in engine. I like to get these tractors in the field as quick as possible and found it is a good way to learn just exactly what I have, adjust what I can, and repair the rest.

I learned the brakes work but need attention. The hydraulics seems very good and that is a huge plus. I adjusted the IPTO and for the most part it seems to be working well with the Brush Hog. The TA shifts and holds, but it is out of adjustment or the linkage worn. No surprise the steering is loose but with new ball joints and other adjustments, it is field ready. At the 2023 Red Power Roundup I was able to locate some steering parts along with the standard two-point hitch drawbar. I got a new seat, new gauges too. Converted it to an alternator. While working on the engine I checked the rear end oil. It was full: 1/3 oil like and 2/3 water. I changed this out along with the hydraulic fluid. The trany seems tight with no unusual noise. Some noise around the clutch area but it is working, so?

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