Deere 4239t repower/interchange

I have a Deere 4239a on my drill rig that is burning oil. I cannot afford to have the machine down more than a couple days, so I am looking for a replacement engine. Do all JD 4cylinder diesels have the same bell housing flange... In other words can I repower with a newer Deere engine? What interchanges or do I need a remanafactured 4239t?

bell housings will go off of a s.a.e. size, but that might be the least of your worries.
I just went through the process of finding a replacement engine for my skid steer, which needed a Deere 4024T. Seems easy enough, but caveat emptor, my friend. I had every TD&H trying to sell me their 4024, and found out (by my own pre-purchase research, fortunately), that there are multiple versions, and that most wont simply bolt up, and some that are constant speed setups for generators that only turn 1800 rpm. Alternator brackets, flywheels, starters, flywheels, oil pan sizes, you name it, it can all be different The closest I came to finding a complete 4024TT002 was a 4024tf270, which will need my old engines oil fill tube, dipstick, and dipstick tube.
That said, and with your time constraints, I would contact a reputable engine supplier, or John Deere directly, with a serial number directly off of the engine, and have it in hand and test ran before even considering the switchover

I talked to the local JD dealer yesterday, those guys don't seem to know anymore than I do about retrofitting a different Deere engine. They did say the could rebuild what I have in about 3 days, so that will put me down a week. I was quoted approx 10k for a JD 4239a long block, no labor. Or approx 6500 to rebuild what I have. That is with me pulling the old engine and me reinstalling myself. Would love to been able to buy a newer 4 cylinder model and retrofit but that seems like too much of a gamble as far as everything going back together. I run the machine at a fixed 1800 rpm, so a generator engine would probably work but doesn't seem worth the risk when a complete used motor commands 4K +. Thanks for the reply.

You need to contact the Deere Power Systems distributor for this kind of engine, they may direct you to a more local Deere engine dealer but start here:

http://www.flintpower.com/

Deere construction and Ag dealers are pretty much worthless on anything that isn't in yellow or green paint.

Should be easy to replace if it's just an open power unit.

lantraxco said:

You need to contact the Deere Power Systems distributor for this kind of engine, they may direct you to a more local Deere engine dealer but start here:

http://www.flintpower.com/

Deere construction and Ag dealers are pretty much worthless on anything that isn't in yellow or green paint.

Should be easy to replace if it's just an open power unit.

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I don't think that's true across the board I'm with a Deere dealer and have been to new Holland, Volvo, Cat, Kawasaki, Dresser, Barco, Prentice, and several more...

As mentioned above there are way to many applications and option codes to just go swapping and Deere somewhat frowns upon mainly because of design specs. You may be able to find an engine out of a compressor, power unit, vacuum truck, or w/e and it should be alright. If you have a set rpm engine and you have all your bolt ons it could be swapped in two days it would just take time to find the right setup and an engine that you'd trust. It's just more expensive but all together more efficient to get a drop in though. Warranty on a rebuild is 90 day warranty on a reman is a year....

If you can only afford to have it down a couple days, why are you considering anything other than a reman? If the engine has been taken care of, you might think about an "inframe" but being a power unit, the access is probably better by removing the engine, right?

Happily there are exceptions to every rule, even mine

lantraxco said:

Happily there are exceptions to every rule, even mine

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I was going to differ with you on that, there is only one Deere store within 50 miles of me, and that construction dealer gets me parts from all the other categories quite easily. I get ag parts from them nearly every week, and they get me power stuff, too. I was going to say it seems to be because they own dealers in every catergory, but, then I read on down your post, and saw your recommendation on who to call, and the dealer I'm talking about is Flint. :beatsme

mitch504 said:

I was going to differ with you on that, there is only one Deere store within 50 miles of me, and that construction dealer gets me parts from all the other categories quite easily. I get ag parts from them nearly every week, and they get me power stuff, too. I was going to say it seems to be because they own dealers in every catergory, but, then I read on down your post, and saw your recommendation on who to call, and the dealer I'm talking about is Flint. :beatsme

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LMAO! Well, even us know-it-alls can be wrong now and then.... must be now cause I can't remember then!

Ok, called Flint and I am awaiting a return call. This is what I have figured out....the blocks have a SAE bell size in my case a #3. Then there is a SAE flywheel that match the bell. In my application I use a drive plate that bolts to the flywheel, this drive plate then connects to a gearbox that drives 3 hydraulic pumps. The engine and gear assembly sit on the deck of my rig, I have plenty of clearance on each side that will allow me many options....dipstick side, air cleaner side,filter side, oil pan...etc. This said I have quite a few options of motors as long as the hp is close, physical size is similar and engine has a SAE #3 block. The other thing I figured out was the throttle control, newer engines that use ecu can have a fixed rpm programmed in(generator). I wonder if a generator Jd has an auto idle down when there is little demand of electricity needed? I also wonder if older generator a 2 position cable throttle? All this being said I do believe my best option is to get caught up on my wells and plan on having the machine down for a weeks, that way there is not such a rush in case there is problems. At this point I am deciding on rebuilding this engine(know it bolts in) or having a remanafactured engine waiting. Thanks for the replies. I'll keep y'all posted.