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John Deere 3029TF120 Engine

The John Deere PowerTech 3029TF120 is a 3-cylinder, vertical, in-line, 4-stroke industrial diesel engine with a displacement of 2.9 liters (177 cubic inches). Engineered by John Deere Power Systems for generator drives and industrial applications, this turbocharged engine is configured as a non-emissions certified unit. It features a heavy-duty design consisting of a cast-iron block with individually replaceable wet-type cylinder liners to optimize heat dissipation and streamline rebuilding. The dynamic assembly includes a forged-steel crankshaft rotating on five main bearings and cam-ground aluminum alloy pistons to handle constant thermal expansion.

The cylinder head utilizes an overhead valve configuration (valve-in-head design) with two valves per cylinder. Action is transferred from the camshaft via pushrods and rocker arms. The valves and valve springs are fully serviceable and designed to operate under heavy structural thermal loads. Bore diameter: 106 mm (4.17 inches). Stroke length: 110 mm (4.33 inches). Compression Ratio: Explicitly rated at 17.2:1.

Fuel delivery is managed via a direct injection interface powered by a rotary-type mechanical injection pump. The timing gear train drives the pump in strict synchronization with the crankshaft. Pressurized fuel passes through 9.5 mm injection nozzles positioned directly in the cylinder head over the piston crowns. A mechanical governor dictates frequency regulation, and an integrated cold start advance system automates injection timing changes during low-ambient operations.

The engine uses a full-pressure lubrication system supplied by a positive-displacement gear pump driven directly by the timing gear train. Oil is forced through an integrated oil cooler and a spin-on full-flow filtration unit before routing to the main bearings, connecting rod journals, and overhead rocker assembly. The structural oil pan provides a secure oil sump reservoir for high-tilt industrial applications.

This engine utilizes a liquid-cooling architecture with an engine-driven centrifugal water pump forcing coolant around the replaceable wet cylinder liners. A heavy-duty bypass thermostat regulates internal engine temperature by directing coolant path flow either back into the water pump block or out to an external radiator array.

General Technical Data

Engine Specifications

Engine Model ............... John Deere 3029TF120
Engine Series ............... PowerTech 2.9 L
Engine Type ............... 4-cycle inline 3-cylinder OHV turbo liquid-cooled diesel
Number of Cylinders ............... 3
Cylinder Arrangement ............... In-line vertical
Engine Bore, in (mm) ............... 4.17 (106.0)
Engine Stroke, in (mm) ............... 4.33 (110.0)
Displacement, cu.in (L) ............... 177 (2.9)
Rated Power (Prime), hp (kW) ............... 51 (38) at 1500 rpm
Rated Power (Standby), hp (kW) ............... 56 (42) at 1500 rpm
Rated Speed, rpm ............... 1500-1800
Slow Idle Speed, rpm ............... 850
Fast Idle Speed, rpm ............... 1650-1950
Compression Ratio ............... 17.2:1
Firing Order ............... 1-2-3
Aspiration Type ............... Turbocharged
Cylinder Block Type ............... Heavy-duty cast iron monoblock
Cylinder Head Type ............... One-piece cast iron crossflow design
Cylinder Liners ............... Replaceable wet-type centrispun liners
Crankshaft Design ............... Forged steel 4-bearing mechanical
Rotation Direction ............... Counterclockwise viewed from flywheel face
Combustion Principle ............... Direct injection
Lubrication System ............... Full-pressure gear pump supply feed
Oil Pump Type ............... Gear-driven internal assembly
Oil Filter Type ............... Full-flow, spin-on cartridge
Cooling System ............... Centrifugal pump forced convection liquid
Water Pump Type ............... Belt-driven centrifugal impeller
Air Cleaner Type ............... Dry type dual element heavy duty
Starting System ............... Electric starter motor axial engagement
Electrical Voltage ............... 12V
Alternator Rating ............... 55A

Fuel System

Injection Pump Model ............... Stanadyne DB2 or DB4 rotary injection system
Alternative Injection Pump ............... Lucas CAV Delphi rotary mechanism
Injection Pump Type ............... Mechanical distributor high pressure layout
Fuel Injection Nozzle Type ............... Multi-hole micro precision orifice nozzle
Fuel Injection Orifice Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.0098 (0.25)
Number of Injection Nozzle Holes ............... 5 precision engineered spray channels
Fuel Injection Opening Pressure, psi (bar) ............... 3625-3770 (250-260)
Fuel Transfer Pump Type ............... Mechanical diaphragm lift layout design
Fuel Transfer Pump Pressure, psi (kPa) ............... 4.4-8.0 (30-55)
Fuel Filter Type ............... Spin-on element with built-in water separator
Governor Type ............... Mechanical centrifugal or electronic option
Maximum Fuel Inlet Temperature, F (C) ............... 149 (65)
Fuel Supply Flow Capacity, gal/hr (L/hr) ............... 11.9 (45.0) at rated speed
Fuel Feed Tubing Inner Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.250 (6.35)
Fuel Return Tubing Inner Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.187 (4.75)
High Pressure Fuel Pipe Outer Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.236 (6.00)

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length, in (mm) ............... 28.2 (715)
Overall Width, in (mm) ............... 20.4 (520)
Overall Height, in (mm) ............... 32.2 (820)
Dry Weight, lbs (kg) ............... 697 (316)
Wet Weight, lbs (kg) ............... 745 (338)

Maintenance Data

Service Information

Cylinder Compression Pressure, psi (bar) ............... 350-400 (24.1-27.5)
Oil Pressure at Low Idle, psi (bar) ............... 15 (1.0)
Oil Pressure at Rated Speed, psi (bar) ............... 50 (3.4)
Maximum Oil Pressure Relief Valve, psi (bar) ............... 65 (4.5)
Turbocharger Boost Pressure (Prime), psi (kPa) ............... 12.5 (86.2)
Turbocharger Boost Pressure (Standby), psi (kPa) ............... 14.1 (97.2)
Radiator Pressure Cap, psi (kPa) ............... 10 (69)
Normal Operating Oil Temperature, F (C) ............... 212-239 (100-115)
Thermostat Initial Opening Temperature, F (C) ............... 180 (82)
Thermostat Fully Open Temperature, F (C) ............... 202 (94)
Intake Valve Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.014 (0.356)
Exhaust Valve Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.018 (0.457)

Engine Oil and Coolant

Engine Oil Type .................. SAE 10W-30, SAE 15W-40, or JD Plus-50
API Service Classifications ......................... CK-4, CJ-4
Engine Oil Capacity, High Level, qt (L) ............... 6.3 (6.0)
Engine Oil Capacity, Low Level, qt (L) ............... 5.3 (5.0)
Engine Oil Capacity with Filter, qt (L) ............... 8.5 (8.0)
Coolant Capacity, Block Only, qt (L) ............... 4.2 (4.0)
Coolant Capacity with Radiator, qt (L) ............... 8.0 (7.6)

Service Intervals

Change oil and filter ............... Every 250 hours
Inspect air cleaner ............... Every 250 hours
Replace air cleaner ............... Every 1000 hours
Replace fuel filter ............... Every 500 hours
Valve clearance adjustment ............... Every 1000 hours
Fuel system inspection ............... Every 1000 hours
Change coolant ............... Every 2000 hours
Compression test ............... Every 1000 hours
Inspect belt tension ............... Every 250 hours

Service Specifications

Cylinder Liner Bore Inside Diameter, in (mm) ............... 4.1929-4.1948 (106.500-106.548)
Cylinder Liner Taper Maximum, in (mm) ............... 0.0020 (0.050)
Cylinder Liner Out of Round, in (mm) ............... 0.0020 (0.050)
Main Bearing Bore Inside Diameter, in (mm) ............... 3.3465-3.3475 (85.000-85.025)
Crankshaft Main Journal Diameter, in (mm) ............... 3.1230-3.1240 (79.324-79.350)
Crankshaft Main Journal Bearing Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0016-0.0043 (0.041-0.109)
Crankshaft Main Journal Taper Maximum, in (mm) ............... 0.0004 (0.010)
Crankshaft Main Journal Out of Round, in (mm) ............... 0.0004 (0.010)
Crankpin Journal Diameter, in (mm) ............... 2.7480-2.7490 (69.799-69.825)
Crankpin Journal Bearing Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0016-0.0041 (0.041-0.104)
Crankpin Journal Clearance Wear Limit, in (mm) ............... 0.0055 (0.140)
Connecting Rod Big End Bore O.D, in (mm) ............... 2.9126-2.9134 (73.980-74.000)
Connecting Rod Small End Bushing I.D, in (mm) ............... 1.6258-1.6266 (41.295-41.316)
Connecting Rod Out-of-Round Max, in (mm) ............... 0.0020 (0.050)
Piston Skirt Outside Diameter, in (mm) ............... 4.1882-4.1898 (106.380-106.420)
Piston Pin Bore Outer Diameter, in (mm) ............... 1.6256-1.6264 (41.290-41.310)
Piston Pin To Bushing Oil Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0006-0.0016 (0.015-0.040)
Top Ring Groove Width, in (mm) ............... 0.0976-0.0992 (2.480-2.520)
Second Ring Groove Width, in (mm) ............... 0.0957-0.0969 (2.430-2.460)
Oil Ring Groove Width, in (mm) ............... 0.1583-0.1594 (4.020-4.050)
Top Ring End Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.012-0.022 (0.305-0.559)
Second Ring End Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.016-0.026 (0.406-0.660)
Oil Ring End Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.010-0.022 (0.254-0.559)
Top Ring Side Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0028-0.0043 (0.071-0.109)
Second Ring Side Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0016-0.0031 (0.041-0.079)
Oil Ring Side Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0016-0.0031 (0.041-0.079)
Cylinder Head Flatness Distortion, in (mm) ............... 0.0020 (0.050) across short line
Cylinder Block Top Surface Flatness, in (mm) ............... 0.0020 (0.050) longitudinal space
Intake Valve Seat Outside Diameter, in (mm) ............... 1.8929-1.8941 (48.080-48.110)
Exhaust Valve Seat Outside Diameter, in (mm) ............... 1.6567-1.6579 (42.080-42.110)
Intake Valve Head Diameter, in (mm) ............... 1.8425-1.8504 (46.800-47.000)
Exhaust Valve Head Diameter, in (mm) ............... 1.5669-1.5748 (39.800-40.000)
Intake Valve Overall Length, in (mm) ............... 4.8819-4.8976 (124.000-124.400)
Exhaust Valve Overall Length, in (mm) ............... 4.8819-4.8976 (124.000-124.400)
Intake Valve Guide Bore Inside Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.3146-0.3156 (7.991-8.016)
Exhaust Valve Guide Bore Inside Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.3146-0.3156 (7.991-8.016)
Intake Valve Stem Outside Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.3131-0.3141 (7.953-7.978)
Exhaust Valve Stem Outside Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.3124-0.3134 (7.935-7.960)
Intake Valve Stem to Guide Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0005-0.0025 (0.013-0.063)
Exhaust Valve Stem to Guide Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0012-0.0032 (0.030-0.081)
Intake Valve Head Margin Thickness, in (mm) ............... 0.039 (1.00)
Exhaust Valve Head Margin Thickness, in (mm) ............... 0.039 (1.00)
Intake Valve Face Angle, deg ............... 29.25-29.75
Exhaust Valve Face Angle, deg ............... 44.25-44.75
Intake Valve Seat Angle, deg ............... 30.0
Exhaust Valve Seat Angle, deg ............... 45.0
Valve Spring Free Length, in (mm) ............... 2.142 (54.40)
Camshaft Journal Diameter (Front), in (mm) ............... 2.1643-2.1653 (54.973-54.999)
Camshaft Journal Diameter (Middle), in (mm) ............... 2.1249-2.1259 (53.972-53.998)
Camshaft Journal Diameter (Rear), in (mm) ............... 2.0462-2.0472 (51.973-51.999)
Camshaft Bearing Bore In Block (Front), in (mm) ............... 2.1673-2.1693 (55.049-55.100)
Camshaft Bearing Bore In Block (Middle), in (mm) ............... 2.1274-2.1294 (54.036-54.087)
Camshaft Bearing Bore In Block (Rear), in (mm) ............... 2.0487-2.0507 (52.037-52.088)
Camshaft Journal Bearing Clearance (Front), in (mm) ............... 0.0020-0.0050 (0.050-0.127)
Camshaft Journal Bearing Clearance (Middle), in (mm) ............... 0.0015-0.0045 (0.038-0.115)
Camshaft Journal Bearing Clearance (Rear), in (mm) ............... 0.0015-0.0045 (0.038-0.115)
Camshaft Journal Out of Round, in (mm) ............... 0.0010 (0.025)
Cam Lobe Height (Intake), in (mm) ............... 1.765 (44.83)
Cam Lobe Height (Exhaust), in (mm) ............... 1.785 (45.34)
Rocker Arm Shaft Outside Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.7858-0.7868 (19.960-19.985)
Rocker Arm Bushing Bore Inside Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.7878-0.7894 (20.010-20.050)
Rocker Arm to Shaft Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0010-0.0035 (0.025-0.090)

Tightening Torques

Cylinder Head Cap Screw (1-Step), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 75 (102)
Cylinder Head Cap Screw (2-Step), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 110 (150)
Main Bearing Cap Screw, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 100 (135)
Connecting Rod Cap Screw, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 40 (54)
Crankshaft Pulley Damper Cap Screw, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 110 (150)
Flywheel Housing to Cylinder Block Fastener, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 80 (110)
Flywheel to Crankshaft Cap Screw, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 85 (115)
Camshaft Thrust Plate Cap Screw, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 35 (47)
Camshaft Gear Drive Front Cap Screw, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 110 (150)
Upper Idler Gear Shaft Mounting Cap Screw, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 80 (110)
Lower Idler Gear Stub Shaft Mounting Nut, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 80 (110)
Timing Gear Cover Enclosure Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25 (35)
Timing Gear Plate Front Countersunk Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25 (35)
Rocker Arm Shaft Retaining Clamp Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 35 (47)
Rocker Arm Valve Clearance Adjustment Nut, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 20 (27)
Rocker Mechanism Cover Cap Screw, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 20 (27)
Crankcase Oil Pan Structural Perimeter Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25 (35)
Crankcase Oil Pan Sump Drain Plug Screw, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 35 (47)
Exhaust Manifold Structural Thermal Fastener, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 35 (47)
Intake Manifold structural Structural Fastener, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25 (35)
Turbocharger Mounting Inflow Flange Nut, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 35 (47)
Turbocharger Exhaust Turbine V-Band Clamp Screw, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 8 (11)
Turbocharger Compressor Housing Retention Clip, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 12 (16)
Turbocharger Oil Feed Tube Fitting Adapter, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 18 (24)
Turbocharger Oil Drain Pipe Flange Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25 (35)
Injection Pump Drive Gear Shaft Lock Nut, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 60 (81)
Injection Pump Structural Flange Mounting Nut, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25 (35)
High Pressure Fuel Delivery Injection Pipe Nut, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 20 (27)
Fuel Injection Nozzle Clamp Securing Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 28 (38)
Fuel Leak-Off Rail Return Connector Fitting, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 12 (16)
Fuel Transfer Pump Mounting Structural Screw, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 20 (27)
Fuel Filter Header Base Bracket Fastener, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25 (35)
Oil Pump Structural Housing Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25 (35)
Oil Pump Drive Gear Taper Nut, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 35 (47)
Oil Pressure Relief Valve Plug, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 35 (47)
Oil Cooler Structural Mounting Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25 (35)
Coolant Water Pump Structural Mounting Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25 (35)
Coolant Fan Pulley Hub Drive Cap Screw, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25 (35)
Coolant Thermostat Housing Cap Screw, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25 (35)
Coolant Fan Blade Retaining Hex Screw, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 20 (27)
Alternator Structural Pivot Mount Long Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 35 (47)
Alternator Tension Adjustable Link Support Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25 (35)
Electric Starter Motor Structural Mounting Nut, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 35 (47)
Electric Starter Motor Battery Cable Terminal Nut, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 10 (14)
Electrical Ground Strap Engine Block Fastener, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 35 (47)
Oil Pressure Sensor Indicator Switch Port Thread, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 10 (14)
Coolant Temperature Sensor Indicator Transmitter Unit, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15 (20)
Air Intake Heater Element Grid Block Screw, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15 (20)
Air Cleaner Mounting Support Frame structural Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25 (35)
Engine Support Front Foot Mounting Pad Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 100 (135)
Engine Support Rear Flywheel Plate Leg Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 100 (135)

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• John Deere 3164D Specs
  

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