Clark BL-700

[Peter Campbell]

Maybe some diesel trivia/backhoe expert knows something. I have a Clark backhoe loader that came with some property I bought ( BL-700 )" Michigan" printed on a loader arm. Looked in the engine bay- cylinder head is gone. From a parts manual I bought the engine is listed as a " GM 3-53 " All I know it is a parent bore engine. I just went up to look at it. Diesel engine, 3 cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder, center injection . There are 3-53 diesels out there, just have to figure out if it is worth the 3-4K$ to get an engine just to see if the machine works- Now that I confirmed it is a diesel I think that I will need to persue fixing it- cant have too many diesels can you. And a full size machine would be a nice supplement to the JD machine I have already. Info on the machine or a source/link for info would be good.

 

[illflem]

Like you said it's up to you to figure out if it's worth it. There's a lot of other things besides the engine that can wear out in forty years. I ran one for a while in the 60's, it was ok for that day and age but the features on newer hoes sure make a difference. Think it might turn into a never ending project for you.

 

[Peter Campbell]

There is that about chasing down never ending problems- But this may not be that bad. And if I get it running and and hurt the machine on the rocks- it is not my "new" machine I am hurting. This has not been used hard, It has been parked for a long time, corrosion an seal problems might become an issue.