Combine Engine Swapped Into 50-Year-Old Tractor
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In 2023, Mitch Fenske and his friend Barry Schimke repowered a 756 Farmall tractor with a school bus engine (Vol. 47, No. 5). It turned out so well that in 2024, Fenske repowered a 1974 IH 766. He replaced the tractor’s D360 engine, rated at 80 hp., with a D436 engine from an IH 1440 combine, rated at 136 hp. “The replacement engine cost $2,500, which I thought was a very good price since the engine only showed 2,700 hrs.,” Fenske says. “The hydro unit was out on the combine, so this engine was a perfect candidate.”
When he pulled the oil pan, Fenske inspected the 436s bearings, and they were good. “I did very little to the engine besides cleaning and inspecting the electrical and cooling system. I put on new hoses and used the tractor’s starter and alternator. The 436 has a 12v electrical system, so it starts and runs beautifully.”
Fenske says, “I took the D360 out of the tractor, and all I needed for the swap was a shorter fan shroud and the tractor back plate. I did put in a new IPTO shaft, clutch, pressure plate, and flywheel, but other than that, it was a very easy swap. I did this originally to keep the tractor, but I’ve had interest from people who might want to buy it or have me do other swaps. Knowing that, I’m building my own shop in 2025 and will be willing to take on more projects like this. I’d rather see these tractors put back in the field than be parted out.”
Fenske says he received a lot of good advice from Mike Hesse, Barry Schimke and Taylor Brehmer to help him complete the project. “Tips and tricks from people who’ve done this before really help out,” he says. “I didn’t paint the tractor after finishing it because if someone buys it, they can paint it how they want it or just use it the way it looks right now.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Mitch Fenske, N9003 County Road Vv, Mindoro, Wis. 54644 (ph 608-399-4553; fenskeappraising@gmail.com).
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Combine Engine Swapped Into 50-Year-Old Tractor COMBINES Modifications In 2023 Mitch Fenske and his friend Barry Schimke repowered a 756 Farmall tractor with a school bus engine Vol 47 No 5 It turned out so well that in 2024 Fenske repowered a 1974 IH 766 He replaced the tractor’s D360 engine rated at 80 hp with a D436 engine from an IH 1440 combine rated at 136 hp “The replacement engine cost $2 500 which I thought was a very good price since the engine only showed 2 700 hrs ” Fenske says “The hydro unit was out on the combine so this engine was a perfect candidate ” When he pulled the oil pan Fenske inspected the 436s bearings and they were good “I did very little to the engine besides cleaning and inspecting the electrical and cooling system I put on new hoses and used the tractor’s starter and alternator The 436 has a 12v electrical system so it starts and runs beautifully ” Fenske says “I took the D360 out of the tractor and all I needed for the swap was a shorter fan shroud and the tractor back plate I did put in a new IPTO shaft clutch pressure plate and flywheel but other than that it was a very easy swap I did this originally to keep the tractor but I’ve had interest from people who might want to buy it or have me do other swaps Knowing that I’m building my own shop in 2025 and will be willing to take on more projects like this I’d rather see these tractors put back in the field than be parted out ” Fenske says he received a lot of good advice from Mike Hesse Barry Schimke and Taylor Brehmer to help him complete the project “Tips and tricks from people who’ve done this before really help out ” he says “I didn’t paint the tractor after finishing it because if someone buys it they can paint it how they want it or just use it the way it looks right now ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Mitch Fenske N9003 County Road Vv Mindoro Wis 54644 ph 608-399-4553; fenskeappraising@gmail com
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