engine stuck

Well, what we thought was a starter issue turned into something more serious, intermittent couldn't start with starter, went thru everything or so we thought. This last time we had bought another B and we picked up a hand crank to see if it was free. Now the original tractor seems to stick and not turn over at all. Starter jams and wont turn it over. Last time it did this not realizing it was sticking somewhere we bump started it and it ran great, no smoke or anything. Now with hand crank to check all this makes sense why were chasing starter issue. Couldn't possibly turn it over. Unfortunately we have to open it up, thinking oil pan to see if anything obvious and major, anything we should be looking for you can help with will help as we never had bottom end apart before. Could liner move? Slide up and down enough to slightly jam then move back and clear? Other thought was timing chain, never had open on this one either. Sad part is we just put water pump on it Saturday. Oh well. Was hoping to work on new addition to fleet. As always I appreciate your help and insight.

Do as said above. Pull the starter and see if you can hand crank it. The starter on my one B stuck in the flywheel. No way could I turn it over. 

Make sure there isn't a bolt threaded into the side of the bellhousing jammimg the flywheel. This has happened many times.

Forcing an engine to turn over by turning the crankshaft or pulling the tractor in gear can bend the connecting rod on the piston stuck going up and that bent connecting rod can break and its remains often punch a hole in the side of the block.

Gerald J.

Yeah, just one day?  Mechanical.  Have you tried to crank the engine with the starter out?  Sounds like a mechanical problem other than the starter, but it's one bolt.

Might want to take off the rocker cover and make sure all the valves are there!

I would try to turn the engine backwards before taking anything apart (if) you don't have bolts in the side of the bellhousing. With the starter out you can turn it with the flywheel teeth using a large screwdriver or pry bar. If the piston should have a valve stuck or dropped down it should turn backwards some.

I see you tried removing the spark plugs? This is a heads up for other people that may have the same problem I did.

WF owner wrote: ...When I tuned it over with the starter, it shot gas over 20' (so make sure you do it outside!!!) and, since I had just disconnected the plug wires, I had an instant inferno. My wife called the fire department, but I got it out before they arrived.

check for stuck valves from old varnished gas mixed with new gas

If it were me, I'd spit the tractor and completely disassemble the engine.

But, before that, I'd pull the plugs and fill with water and put 5-7 lb on the system, to see what area it leaks the most.

Dick L wrote: Plain green on the top of the head would only mean it is coming from core plugs that have a holes or more. If it came from a blown head gasket it would not be green after being mixed with a running engine. You could most likely put in new core plugs, clean every thing up and go back to running.

If it was frost plugs, wouldn't it be leaking on the outside and not internally into the oil?