Cletrac.org

Hi,I'm about to buy an OC3 or HG,which is in poor condition,apart from track gear.The engine is missing,& steering levers frozen......HOWEVER,I think this unit is a good project for a first time Oliver owner.
I've had no Oliver experience before,so I'm starting new & need any advice/opinions you care to offer.I need to identify the model(HG or OC3?),& hope to fit a diesel engine ,if possible.I want to get the machine in good running order,but not perfectly restored.Track gear good,plates are not very wide.I've seen a few of these around,but ignored them until now.
Thanks...Jim (Australia).

To detremine if its a HG or OC-3 you got. if the front idle wheel is made in
cast iron with four holes in it its probably HG if its not ben changed over the years. i think the id plate sould be on main frame right side were you
hold the feet.
OC-3 has two pressued steeldisc wich are bolted togeter as a  front wheel
the id plate on OC-3 is on right side of flywheelhousing but as you are missing the engine you wont finde any.

I have an -55 OC-3 that i use sometimes its a handy crawler.
If you change the engine dont use to big engine since the orginal engine had only 22 HP
the track shoes were option as 6,8,10,12 inches
hope it helps you

Thanks CrawlerBoy,
I think I have a HG,as the idlers have holes in them.
The base of this machine appears in good order,but steering & engine are the challenge for me.There's something about the look of these things that I like.Some of the pics on this site are great!
Jim

If you are not staying with the stock engine, it might be wise to install and engine and trans combination, so that the gearing is lower and the machine is better for plowing - if that is what you want.

My first HG was an HG68 which came with a 1965? AMC 230 cubic inch 6 cylinder engine with a 3-speed trans. Way too heavy for the machine and the frame was extended out front to accommodate it - but man, that thing would push dirt or anything else. Had to reinforce the frame. No problem with the trans or final drive, as the tracks would slip on the soil rather than stress the components.

When that engine gave up the ghost, I replaced it with a 1982? Datsun "210" 4 cylinder with a 4 or 5 speed manual trans.  Unfortunately the small Japanese engines make their power with RPMs and don't have much torque, so it's performance was disappointing - but not horrible.

If you do choose something like this, make sure you find an engine/trans combination that is as short as possible from front pulley to rear spline. Of course it has become much more difficult to do this, as most cars are now front wheel drive, and it's very difficult to work out the computerized fuel injection sensor adaptation. If you were in the eastern US, I'd offer you the Datsun engine and trans, as they're sitting in my barn.

Dick

Thanks Dick,
I have a few options for smaller engines here,so that should be OK.There's plenty of Isuzus,Mazdas,Datsuns laying around.
I think i'd like to make a blade for the crawler,but this would mainly be for show....I have an IH drott here for the heavy work.
Regards..Jim

I'd try to find a small diesel if I were in you're shoes, perhaps one out of an old Mercedes Benz 240D or maybe one out of an old reefer unit. In you're part of the world there's probably quite a few little Isuzu engines floating around out there. Diesels are generally built heavier, have more torque, and more fuel efficient than little gassers. However if a Wisconsin V4 air cooled or a hercules or continental flat head 4 out of a welder or air compressor was available I think that would be a good choice also. Just some thoughts, best of luck to you! Carl B.

I have mentioned it before on here. I have a 1967 Mercedes 200D diesel for sale. It has a 4 speed transmission with a hydraulic clutch. I would think it would be quite easy to put the engine/transmission combination into an HG. These have 121 cubic inch displacement and are rated at 60 hp at 3000-some rpm. If you governed it to around 1700-2000, it would probably be perfect for the HG.

I know the HG will take more power as we have one with an Oliver 77 6-cylinder engine.

As far as the Benz, the engine is still in the car, but the car is rusted beyond use. The engine runs and was bored out 1mm and had new pistons put in not too long before I quit running it. I want to sell the whole car - that way I am rid of it and you will have all the accessories.

It is located in NE Ohio.

Blake

Thanks for the engine info.....I'll do some more research after I get the HG home.
Also,I'm wondering how hard it will be to "unfreeze" my steering levers....can I get good access to the steering housing??

Thanks,Jim   (Australia).

Your steering levers are probably frozen right at their pivot points, or at the shaft (cam) which goes into the differential case. Either way they should be easy to free, if you apply WD40 and tap gently. Easy access in the case by removing the back plate (or PTO assembly if it has one).
Dick

That's what I wanted to hear!  
Sounds like these things aren't too hard to work on,in comparison to other old crawlers.
I'm hoping to bring her home this week.Thanks for the help guys.
Jim

A Volvo 2 liter (Volvo Penta) or Ford Pinto/Ranger 4 banger should work.
Maybe an old Toyota Corona pushrod 4.
Model A?
Offy?  

Quote from: "Bill Seal"A Volvo 2 liter (Volvo Penta) or Ford Pinto/Ranger 4 banger should work.
Maybe an old Toyota Corona pushrod 4.
Model A?
Offy?  

With the exception of the Model A, those are all high speed engines that would probably develop very poor torque in the rpm range you would want.

If you want to stick with a gasoline engine, a flathead or F-head 4 cylinder Jeep engine would be a good choice.

Blake

Hi guys
I got the old girl home today...the idlers appear to be OC3 style,so I guess it's an OC3.
I will probably go with a small diesel engine.
Machine is gonna sit awhile,as I need to get my shed built first.
Thanks for the advice...I'll be watching this site regularly now.
Jim