Tractor Updates

Bob · December 20, 2010, 01:50:17 AM

Well glad to have the forum back up and running! I was lost for a couple days there...

I've been working on my FDE. Doing a complete inframe overhaul. Ready to install the oilpan and the heads. Then it should be a runner again.

I had my AD out the other day. It has the ice grouser tracks and the parking lot was a sheet of ice. I ran it around to help dig it up so it wasn't so slippery. I even started the old girl with no ether. Had the weed burner going under the oilpan for a little bit. Rolled it with my hand over the intake until there was good suction, then took it off. It creates a woosh of air, which creates heat and makes it fire. Do it several times and it fires right up.

Bob

Blake Malkamaki · December 20, 2010, 01:56:04 AM

I never heard of the hand over the intake trick. I guess if it had enough suction it would pull a layer of skin off and run on that.

Bob · December 21, 2010, 05:02:14 AM

Well Blake, I suppose you have a point... Especially if one had enough alcohol in their systems! LOL

No but really it does work the way described, as I was impressed how well it worked the first I tried it on the AD. As long as the air cleaner is tight, and then engine not already hooked on a little snort too bad...

Good news! I got the heads on the FDE today. With some effort and luck it may almost be ready to start tomorrow

ianoz · December 22, 2010, 05:20:22 AM

Hi Bob , Look forward to the FDE being a goer

. So did it get the required luck and effort ? Or did you say BBBRRRRR to cold

. Ian .

LoggerLee · December 22, 2010, 07:32:34 AM

I haven't been able to get to the DDHs for a while,I can get Lumpy down off the hill,but the parts tractors are too heavy to mess with in the snow,I've been thinking that one of the spare engines might be a runner,the water jacket it broken on the left side,but I just might push it back and weld it up,see how it runs,only bummer is I don't know what kinda shape the injection pump is in on that one,and I need to put the drive for IP in there.

In other brand news I still have not managed to find a intake manifold for the Allis Chalmers M yet.
I did get a little T20 McCormick Deering and got it running,tracks are crap though...so it's going to be tough to find decent tracks for that.

John D · December 22, 2010, 08:48:37 PM

Hey Bob,
The hand over the intake trick reminds me of one that's called a "rag technique" I learned about recently from Richard-TX, one of the Gravely fellas to clean idle and main jets. This of course is applicable to carbureted gas engines...

It doesn't always work but seems to have better than a 50-50 chance that it does. The method is this: Have a rag in one hand. Start the engine. While running, open the throttle plate fully with one hand, when the engine reaches its max rated rpm, completely cover the air inlet to the carb with the rag. The engine will slow down due to no air. Before the RPMs drop too low, (about 1/2 a second) remove the rag and when the engine starts to rev up, start to release the throttle to keep the RPMs below rated max. Repeat. Adjust carb as needed. If after 3 tries, the carb does not clear, then you have to pull the carb and clean it manually. Do not over rev the engine.

What happens is that a tremendous about of vacuum is generated by the spinning engine. Because of this vacuum, by virtue that you are completely closing off the carb inlet, the vacuum pulls any dirt.etc. occluding the jets straight through. It beats tearing a carb completely apart.

It takes timing to keep from having to try to start a flooded engine or over revving the engine. With a little practice you can get good at it.

Bob · December 23, 2010, 01:17:01 AM

The FDE has been apart for several months, just a little more motivated after having to shovel the stupid snow off the truck every day for 2 weeks! It technically would run right now, but not for long with no oil pan! It did get the care it needed during the rebuild. Had spare heads rebuilt months ago. I can't wait to hear it run like its supposed to.

Logger Lee, a way to check the injection pump would be to run it with a motor, drill ect. Hook the injectors up out of the block and see how they spray. Maybe even pop an injector out of Lumpy (you know its good) and run it. If it sprays a nice v pattern its good. In reality you should check the injector pressure first, but Lumpy runs on them, so they are at least OK.

John, dad and I have been doing that type of thing for a long time, it does work some times... Thanks for the input!

Bob

LoggerLee · December 29, 2010, 04:19:14 AM

that's a good idea Bob,I'll give that a shot,I've been going nuts since I'm out of work for now,something to do will be nice for a change.

John,when I was starting the T-20 I noticed that when I pulled the choke out it pulled a bunch of crap out of the fuel lines into the sediment bowl,still trying to get all that old tar out of the tank,might have to take it and have it hot tanked or something,don't want to jam a bunch of crap in the carb.

Bob · January 04, 2011, 01:48:55 AM

Well I got the FDE running today. Once I got the rings seated a little it runs pretty good. I'm going to go thru the injectors and check the settings, readjust the valves, and retorque the heads then its ready to rock and roll. Well I'm going to have the generator rebuilt too, so the batteries will charge when it runs.

Off and on to another project...

Bob