gwoswald Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 Good morning All, Looking to pull in anyone's experience or thoughts so I can catch some of the details earlier on in the process. I have a IH 544. It's a really nice sized around the yard tractor, has an IH 2000 loader on it and I really enjoy the tractor for the most part. Other than the fact it has the gutless c200 and the engine is getting pretty tired. I.e. I have to feather the clutch in 4th at times to keep from killing it. (Loaded tires) I know my value would be in just getting a new tractor, but I love projects for the sake of the project, so I want to repower this tractor. I found a rebuilt, still on the stand, cummins b3.3 locally a couple years back and thought it would make a great power plant for this tractor. It's a fully mechanical engine with an inline pump, so should be good to go. Just got in contact with Ed Leaman for an adaptor and flywheel. He mentioned a remote oil filter is needed so I have that on the list. Not positive if I'll be able to use the stock starter, will find that out as we go. Looks like there should be plenty of space based on my measurements between the rails and between the bell housing and radiator. Beyond that there will be fabrication and modifications for motor mounts, linkages, wiring updates, etc. How about fuel tank, any major modifications for going to diesel? Is a fuel pump going to be needed? I'm assuming gravity should be enough for this application. Any other major items in overlooking? Thanks! Greg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewcrew Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 That sounds like a very cool project! I have absolutely no help for you, but I’m definitely interested to see the progress! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nepoweshiekfarmalls Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 You will need to add a return back into the top of the fuel tank, but that is not too difficult. You will need to plumb in fuel filters. The diesel 544 machines were gravity fed, so you should be okay. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty shackleford Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 I would love to do that on my 544, 4bt turbo would be so awsome 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SONNY Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 200 not gutless----got one in my 574! great little motor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwoswald Posted May 12, 2021 Author Share Posted May 12, 2021 1 hour ago, SONNY said: 200 not gutless----got one in my 574! great little motor! Well, maybe they made some changes in the 5-10 years between the models, maybe the transmission differences, and maybe mines just that tired, but with loaded rears if I have a load in the bucket I can barely get moving in 4th. Also burns gas pretty quickly if I'm needing some HP (running the tiller for instance). Now raking hay it isn't too bad, and if I wasn't weighted I could see it being a peppier engine. But it's on its last legs and I would rather have a diesel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Kirsch Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 3 hours ago, SONNY said: 200 not gutless----got one in my 574! great little motor! My understanding is they're not the same engine. I know the 544 gas had a bad reputation around here as "gutless." You ask any old farmer about the 544, and that's the first word out of their mouth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SONNY Posted May 14, 2021 Share Posted May 14, 2021 Could be different motor---- the 574 motor is a 560 with the 2 back cylinders cut off and counter weights added to the crankshaft. I am currently putting one back together to go in another 574 that was given to me after they put a rod thru the block ----- these guys had NO business being anywhere near ANYTHING with a motor in it! This one is going to be a treat to get straightened up again ---shifter levers are really bad from them jerking on them but I can get buy with it for my use! Good luck on your conversion and I hope it turns out well for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewcrew Posted May 14, 2021 Share Posted May 14, 2021 8 hours ago, SONNY said: Could be different motor---- the 574 motor is a 560 with the 2 back cylinders cut off and counter weights added to the crankshaft. I am currently putting one back together to go in another 574 that was given to me after they put a rod thru the block ----- these guys had NO business being anywhere near ANYTHING with a motor in it! This one is going to be a treat to get straightened up again ---shifter levers are really bad from them jerking on them but I can get buy with it for my use! Good luck on your conversion and I hope it turns out well for you! The C-200 in a 544 is a C-301 (806 gas) with two cylinders missing. Dad has one that be bought new. A 656 would outwork it climbing a hill with a manure spreader, but oddly enough I could snuff a couple different 656s grinding ear corn but the 544 never gave up and would torque through! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acem Posted May 15, 2021 Share Posted May 15, 2021 Does your 4cyl Cummins have ballance shafts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwoswald Posted May 16, 2021 Author Share Posted May 16, 2021 On 5/14/2021 at 9:26 PM, acem said: Does your 4cyl Cummins have ballance shafts? I guess I'm not positive, but as I understand it the 3.3 is relatively well balanced in comparison to the 4bt. Maybe I'll try and test fire it on the stand and make sure it doesnt dance away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiskey Bent Posted May 22, 2021 Share Posted May 22, 2021 What are your plans for the c200? I have a 544 with a bad crankshaft and could use a parts engine. I would love to do a diesel swap like you are, please keep us posted on the progress! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwoswald Posted August 13, 2021 Author Share Posted August 13, 2021 Well this project is moving at the speed of many of my projects, but just placed an order with Ed on the plate. Hoping to get this rolling into the fall and winter where I can. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oleman Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 I expect you could create a smooth running c200 with the same HP as the little cumapart for much less than the adapter kit.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowrosefarm Posted August 19, 2021 Share Posted August 19, 2021 We had a 3.3 on a leaf collector that was hard mounted. The high frequency vibration literally sawed the fenders, radiator support and exhaust in two if it was run over about 2200 rpm. We have the same motor on a Vermeer chipper that is mounted on rubber isolators. It has sawed little things like the air cleaner bracket and started some cracks in the frame, but has been much better. It will be interesting to see what experience you have with it in a tractor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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