Picture update of BD rebuild

[dadjon]

Just a couple before and after pics of BD we are restoring.  Trying to finish it for the May Steam Show in Brownsville, PA.  Waiting for radiator to be re-cored.
Should be done this week.

John

[attachment=2:2mipx9lv]email engine 4.JPG[/attachment:2mipx9lv]  [attachment=1:2mipx9lv]email engine 1.JPG[/attachment:2mipx9lv]  [attachment=0:2mipx9lv]email engine.JPG[/attachment:2mipx9lv]

[Bob]

That looks relly nice. I might have to make it down to the show this spring.

[kapou]

WOW!  that is ? ther ain't a word i think of to say---that''s amazing....good work

              kapou

[hotratz]

Fantastic! More, more, more!

[dadjon]

Thanks for the comments. I have about 200 pictures of the BD rebuild. When time permits I will post them some where and put a link on this site.

John

[hotratz]

You might just post a few of the major progress ones right here in this thread with a little commentary next to each one. Makes for great reading material. The restoration/refurbish/retrofit projects are one of the main reasons I visit this sight. We definitely need more of that stuff to look at.

[Bob]

What paint and paint code did you use? That looks like that is the perfect color orange. Mine AD is too light, but that was the code I was told it was.

Bob

[Orangeman]

Nice Work, did you have to replace any of the diesel parts?

[dadjon]

Believe it or not, I mixed 2 colors of Valspar tractor implement enamel from Tractor Supply. Someone flipped the clutch cover upside down before this crawler was painted yellow which left the original
orange color preserved. I was planning on painting it an orange color that was readily available with out having it mixed. The color I chose was Kubota orange. I started to primer with Valspar red oxide primer
and noticed that the primer when wet was close to the Cletrac orange. So I stole a set of my wifes measuring spoons from the kitchen and started mixing different ratios of primer to Kubota orange until it
matched the clutch cover. The ratio ended up 2 parts Kubota orange to 1 part red oxide primer and then added enamel hardener according to the directions. I did this same thing on a gravely tractor a few years ago and the paint is holding up pretty good.
As for the diesel engine, this crawler sat in the woods for 15 to 17 years, we got it started where it sat and drove it out and onto a trailer to get it home. It actually ran pretty good but had a miss that we figured was a clogged injector and a knock in the transmission that went away when the clutch was pushed, so we figured it was something in the clutch. When removing the clutch to remove the engine I noticed the clutch and flywheel moved back and forth about 1/2" but the clutch components looked fine. My son was turning the engine over from the crankshaft pulley at the front of the engine and noticed that the whole crankshaft was moving front to back about a 1/2"   .
I will post some more of the rebuild later, I don't want to make this to long and bore everyone.

John

[Bob]

What usually breaks the pistons and rings on a Hercules diesel or any diesel as far as that goes is too much either, or not using ether properly. (Of course not saying you had anything to do with it) The proper way to use ether is to have the engine turning and smoke coming out the exhaust, which means you are getting fuel/lubrication in the cylinders. Use just enough ether to make it fire. If you do it that way every time you won't hurt it. Hercules diesels are known for hard starting. I usually have to crank my AD over quite a bit for it to start without ether. My BD and DD and FDE are worn and need quite a bit of ether to start and keep running until their a little warm. They won't start in the afternoon when its 100 degrees in the shade without a snort of ether.

Tip to all, just becareful while using ether and if its used properly it shouldn't damage your engine. And don't be in a hurry with a Hercules diesel, let it roll quite a bit because if in decent shape at all it'll start without any ether.

[dadjon]

It was probably to much ether , We found 6 empty rusty cans of it laying on the ground near the crawler and a couple more cans in the steel box behind the seat.
The thing that surprises me is how well the engine ran with a broken piston and the 1/2" of play in the crankshaft. I am going to try and get it started sometime in the next week or so.
I will make video a post a link.
One more thing, If I can get my photo editor to work. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the large round funny looking thing on top of the water pump is and what it might be used for.
The book doesn't really say anything about it.

Thanks John

[d.c.gregory]

John,
 VERY NICE JOB, your tractor lokks great. the item you asked about is a water jacket pre heater, to use you put old style blow torch hung from a bolt screwed in hole to direct heat in the end of water heater, takes awhile,but helps some. I have a 47 with same attachment also have a 52 bd without it, you need to find the old style blowtorch with the hanging eyelet on top, thaks for pics.
                                                                                                                            Curt

[John Schwiebert]

I lie it! I overhauled a BD for a man  probably 30 years ago. The man just died not too long ago. Age 95. How do I contact you? I have some questions for you? Southwest PA, How far from Washington?

[dadjon]

I never thought that would be a block heater, I read somewhere that it was a heater but I was thinking cab heater, funny,I know  :?:
I think my dad has an old blow torch that was my grandfathers, I'll have to try it.

I live about 35 mins. southeast of Washington PA. 6 miles south of Brownsville PA.
 
I will PM you with a no.

John

[Bob]

They did have cabs on Cletracs in general. I have some pics of one somewhere. Let me know if he calls, I thought he was going to call me to help on my 40D, but hasn't yet, almost a year...Slightly disapointed...