revisiting the IXK3/IXB3 engine differences

[mikeinnh]

I know Ive asked these questions somewhere on here in some form or another, but im going to do it again to refresh my memory, starting to get back to my winter project and lost where I left off last year, My questions are about the differences from the IXK3's that were in the hg to the IXB3 that was in the oc3, I have an early IXK3 block that was babbit bearings, an IXK3 that was insert bearings, and now looking at the IXB3 engine, what are the differences? just the bore size? are all the internals (crank/cam/rods) and the externals(bellhousing/head/mounts) interchangable? im still trying to find the best engine to build for my crawler-number matching doesnt matter as there is no data plates left on the engines or frame. was going to build the later style IXK3 engine boring it out and putting the IXB stuff in it, as that seemed the best plan, or would it be best to just build a IXB? I guess im just wondering about parts interchangability, if thats even a word...
Mike

[chrisvdv]

I am no expert, but Mike, and I am sure John S. will chime in...but I am sure the only difference is the pistons, the cylinder head and the bore. John often tells how IXKs that needed rebuilding were often turned into IXBs. For the extra power and addition of a water pump it does seems like a good route to take, especially if you want to work the machine hard with a loader etc.

[mikeinnh]

I think i remember that someone had said that, but I couldnt find it anywhere,I have ixb pistons that i want to use, but just wanted to make sure there was plenty of metal in the cylinders to have the machine shop bore the ixk out to the bigger size.

[Blake Malkamaki]

I don't think you can go from IXA to IXB, but you may be safe to go from IXK to IXB. I believe the IXB's have aluminum pistons whereas the other two have cast iron pistons. Could this effect crankshaft counterbalancing?

[Crazy Matt]

No it wont affect balance unless the pistons were all different weights.

[mikeinnh]

yeah, the ixb's are aluminum, and the ixk's are cast, i would think that as long as they are equal, it should balance ok.

[John Schwiebert]

You will be find boring the IXK for the IXB pistons works fine. I would also look at the two crankshafts and clamp the babbitt bearings in position both rods and mains and then measure my clearances. I have a friend that his dad was a dealer and there standard overhaul for the IXK was to bore them for IXB pistons. You had to add a water pump if you used it all day so you may need to do that as well. More questions?

[mikeinnh]

I think this should work out ok, just want to have a plan when i go the the machinist to get some things going on this project. cant wait to get it together and hear it run for the first time in years... lots of work till then tho.