Great suggestions Scott.  I was not aware of the neoprene rear main problems - only that we installed one a few years ago and it failed within a few hours.  I assumed we installed it incorrectly (somehow?).  We installed a rope seal and viola!I like the idea of vacuum lines and "automatic" alignment.  After spending hundreds to have a crank turned, I am always a little nervous installing pistons...so move the journals out of harm's way.  Looking forward to seeing the template!  We will have it and use it!As always, appreciate your experience Scott.

Thank you Rob! When are coming over for a guest appearance?

It really isn't too bad Steven.  The only shimming on the L-head is for the end play of the crankshaft - not that big of a deal...just a feeler gauge! Remember we had 18 yo kids working on all of these engines in WW2....one little step at a time, done well!

I did cringe a little hitting that wrench...does it help that it was a flea market special?  Wrench abuse prolly ought not be tolerated!

We definitely have a lot of fronts opened up at this point.  I am thinking we should be learning from history...WW2 would be fine....fortunately none of these vehicles are shooting back.....although the tools and cords in the shop are sneaky little boogers and are laying traps everywhere!  I need some brave soldier to head in and rout 'em all out!

As always Jay, your comments and support put a huge smile on all of our faces.  Best!

Greetings John.  Nothing on there looks like anything any of us recognize.  I am thinking top of some sort...but I really don't know.  Given how much welding was done, you would think it must have been structural?  Some type of boom?  I know well drilling companies used half-tracks post war...but that is a lot heavier machine.  Archeological mystery!

I would guess that all of the bearings would spec out pretty much the same.  These old engines are pretty robust....I had an 8n tractor with a very tired engine - it had about 5lbs at idle and about 20lbs at full throttle...and it would not die.  Those engines are almost identical to the L134.  We are going to plastigauge the new bearings...I am betting we are either at the 1 thou spec or just slightly over....fun little experiment.

Cheers Jay!  Uncle Dennis kept yelling at me and Mat that we had to clean the pan....we relented😂 ....and he was right!  It is going to be very interesting to see the change in oil pressure. This is a cool science project.....compression too....we all learn my friend!  As for the tipper, I managed to get the dataplate clean enough to learn that it was originally a short bed cargo.  The dump mechanism looks correct though and that bed is also pretty cool.  We have a few odds and ends on order...will get it running when we get a little warmer temps....Stay well my friend!

Appreciate it Jeff - it was a little brisk out there for a few days.  It is a little milder now...in the 20s/30s/ which isn't terrible.  Those little propane heaters do a pretty good job of knocking the edge off!  😆

Thanks Steve!  We are learning too....every week!  Not to give too much away, but we got the guides installed in this week's episode - very interesting and much less difficult than one might imagine.  Cheers!

Thanks Rob.....you looking for a square body?