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Solar Battery Tender Thoughts?
wh500special replied to 8ntruck's topic in non tractor related discussion
agreed. FWIW, Honda’s logic also looks at a long list of criteria when it’s deciding whether or not to shut off the engine. Brake pressure is one of them and I use that to game the system when I want the engines in my Hondas to stay on at a light I know is turning, I’m in traffic, etc. The Honda system isn’t particularly smooth, but it’s not too bad compared to the dozens of other cars I’ve had as rentals. Some of them feel like you’ve been rear ended when the engine wakes up. I think (not completely sure) that it also looks at the rate of change of the brake pressure when the pedal is being released to predict if the driver intends to allow the car to move. Very slowly ease off the brake and the engine stays shut down until threshold pressure is hit, back off fast and it lights up the engine even if I don’t release the brake all the way. They also look at demand for steering, battery charge, climate control settings, and if the engine is warmed up. I sometimes vacillate about whether I like the feature or not. I track my fuel economy fastidiously and it’s quite clear it makes a difference. I bought the same make and model vehicle two times in a row with essentially the only difference being this one has a different transmission that accommodates Start/stop and the last one didn’t. This one is getting 1 mpg better overall on the same driving loop as before. In 80000 miles, that’s 144 gallons better. I also appreciate the quiet when sitting at a light. The starters are rated for over 40000 cycles and I don’t keep a car forever, so this is worthwhile to me. Your mileage may vary Steve - Today
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I bought a 1985 416-8 a few months back and now I an ready checkout the engine. The PO said that a few years ago he parked it for the winter and when spring came around, it wouldn't start. Said that he changed point, plug, coil, and did a little more work then gave up. Said that his Father in law bought it new in 1985 and was his baby. i think it is generally in decent shape but I question what a few years really is due so some of the rust on certain unpainted parts. Anyway that's basically what I know of its history. The PO did say that it was running great when he parked it. The day I bought it, I could turn the engine over by hand and felt some compression. Today I pulled the spark plug and put about a tablespoon of transmission fluid in the cylinder and then turned the engine over by hand a few times. No sticking places but almost felt like I could feel the pressure from the valve springs as I slowly rotated the flywheel. After about an hour I connected a battery and used the starter to turn the engine to check compression. My old gauge was reading around 40psi. I removed the gauge and added another tablespoon or two of transmission fluid hoping to get some around the valves. I re-checked the compression and this time it was around 35 psi. I have 2 gauges and one is defiantly bad so I am going to do the test again tomorrow with new o-rings on the hose. So, that is where I am at right now. I do have a few miscellaneous parts and gaskets. I also have 2 new head gaskets. Am thinking right now that low compression could be stuck ring or rings, issue with one or both valves. I can get a loaner leak down compression tester if need be. Where should I go from here? Should I pull the cylinder head off to inspect the cylinder and valves or focus on getting it to run a little and re-check the compression before tearing into the engine? Haven't changed the engine oil yet. Should I go ahead and change it now or wait and see if I need to go into the engine? I actually have 5qt jug of oil with missing label. Either 5w 30 or 10w 40 that i can throw in there for now and use it while trying to get it running and then flush it out. All advice on what to do is welcome! Thanks Charrie
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Yea everything was clean - the tractor is in a barn a lot of stuff needs to come off to get to and into the blower shroud - checked as far back on the wires as I could - zero . 30 miles from home took everything I needed to get a points ignition back up - I had points and a plunger in my tool bag . Not near enough to tear the front of a tractor down . This is unchartered territory for me on a K series - do you know off the top of your head are those holes for the points and cap are tapped - checked the block had them - didn’t think to look for threads assumed they were … after I got home it hit me I may have thought wrong I have ignition wiring diagrams here for my 416 and C101 I’ll use those a reference and for the ignition switch # .
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Thanks for the replies and advice. Apparently many people must miss that part about the oil hole towards the cam. I have seen that warning in several threads. Thanks for the explanation about part number castings. I had read something about the castings and then machining the bores. Last night I researched the piston because the one i bought does not have the wrist pin keepers with it and should have. I noticed that the keepers fit the K301, K321, and K341 pistons (according to what I found). That would lead one to believe that the wrist pin is the same size in all of those engines. Online google search shows the wrist pins are the same. So, That would indicate that the connecting rods could all be cast in the same mold but then machined on the crank end. (provided the stroke is the same. Anyway. i didn't buy these parts to use right now but rather in the future. Old hardware shop going out of business and I spent a few hours searching his parts. 0.010 is the closest I could find. I guess I should start a new thread to keep all of my questions in one place. I bought a 1985 416-8 a few months back. I am ready to start trying to bring it back to life and will need some help. Again Thanks! I feel much better knowing they are the correct parts.
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You are headed the right direction. Remove the dust plug and add points. You'll need a pushrod (likely can make one if you google it) for the cam lobe to activate the points. Then add a coil (internal resistor) and condenser. Then you'll need to rewire for coil ignition. That usually means a new key switch to work with coil ignition. Sounds like alot, but it isn't difficult. It's also usually cheaper than another magneto module if you can find it, and whether it's a good one or not is a gamble. Just an afterthought: on the bottom of the module, there is a single tab and connector. Did you clean it to see if it made a difference?
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That's pretty much what I was thinking. You could also do a DPST between the horn and the ignition coil. Cranking the engine wouldn't let it start, but it would blow the horn pretty good.
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I was thinking of using a hidden SPDT switch for the job.
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It can be done. I can probably even find you the parts to make it just a switch you can flip.
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What have you done to your Wheel Horse today?
MainelyWheelhorse replied to Ed Kennell's topic in Wheel Horse Tractors
After a week and a half of parts gathering, and tons of research I got the last piece to the hydro lift. It was the 36” 3/8 JIC hoses for the main supply hoses. I had a small leak in the system and after two weeks+ of sitting I had to boost the battery to prime the tractor to test the system. I think I still need to do some tweaking and build some small parts. It was a promising first test as the ram moves. -
How about crossing the start position on the ignition switch to the horn?
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I can think of quite a few relatively easy ones. Starter interrupts and fuel shut-offs are easy. Timer-controlled issues are even better, but a little more complex to set up.
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I got into the ignition wiring on my old truck today. Whoever tried to jump it knew what they were doing. Proper connection of the 3 wires they pulled out of the wiring harness plug would have allowed the truck to be cranked and run. I've got to replace several of the Packard connectors. Auto Zone and the 2 O'Reilly stores in town don't stock them. Hopefully, the NAPA store can help - on Monday when they open. With @Beap52 talking about old vehicle starting quirks, I'm thinking of installing some engineered quirks with the thought that if the truck does not start quickly, the potential thief will give up and move on. Oh, you folks got any thoughts or comments on security cameras?
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I was called to help the FIL on a no start - no spark Kohler K 14hp - loaded up my bag with tools - points - plugs - wires etc etc only to get smacked right in the face with a short lived ( unknown to me ) breakerless magneto ignition - on a 1974 power king economy . A little reading this was a common failure point on these engines - Kohler went back to points and quit making replacement parts - for a short time they offered a conversion kit for some . Are there any sources for the trigger or magneto ? I’m drawing a blank even coming up with the old part numbers to search for aftermarket or NOS . Reading the interwebs forums from 15-20 years ago some were saying the parts if you could find them were astronomically high in price and you were taking a chance on another bad one . The block has the holes for points and a cover but I didn’t look close enough to see if they were threaded and seems getting the dust cap out for the points plunger rod is a real bear . I came home to research and regroup - the tractor is no longer in front of me . Any advice or direction ?
- Yesterday
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Looking to refurbish an RM-366 mower deck. I've found all the bearings I need, but I can't locate a cross-shaft (4112). Mine is toast on one end where the carrier bearing is. I did find a couple of shafts for the 32", and I have a good 32" shell - so worst-case scenario is I refurb a 32" instead of a 36". It looks like everything else is interchangeable. Also interested in blades for the 36"
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Good to see the attention to these traditional tools! My Dad was always building something and I was constantly drafted to help. Consequently, I got to do a lot of framing work. Wasn’t too keen at the time but I look back and realize what a gift all that training was. But getting back to hammers...I recently tried out both 16 and 20 oz hammers and marveled that I once could use either one productively and accurately for hours. Now my 12oz Dewalt and short sessions are the rule. My days of spending six hours with a splitting maul are probably also behind me. 🫢
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looks like I spoke too soon, please keep praying
JoeM replied to 953 nut's topic in non tractor related discussion
Maybe something to take your mind away or not? Well a few months back, before the big show, I ended up with a gout attack that turned septic. The infection attacking some tissue that was aggravated by loose metal in my right ankle. Long of the short, lots of antibiotics, two surgeries my foot was saved and 3 months later, I am kind of walking again. My wife in the mean time is taking care of me and the kids chipping in on the yard work etc. Then it gets worse. My wife falls and breaks both legs, one ankle just cracked and the other in a fixator, more surgery and screws and plates. Just perfect timing I still could not walk. Can't drive, can't cook, can't can't can't wow. Through the grace of God, good kids, good friends and neighbors, we got through it. (At least my issue, she is still mending) Something ironic, the Dr. that operated on me also did her surgeries. When she was in the OR he came in and said, you know I been at this over a dozen years and this is the first husband and wife procedures I have done. He said he has done relatives but not a couple. I told him that we are going for the preferred customer tee shirts. He laughed and looked at the nurse and said, maybe we can have buy 4 and get the 5th surgery free? You know like the coffee punch cards! -
I told the Grim Reaper to take a hike
953 nut replied to 953 nut's topic in non tractor related discussion
Some more imaging was done this morning. going to have a pacemaker before I can leave and probably a valve job soon. -
When I framed in the walls for my unfinished basement I did it all with screws. Hammers and i do not do well together.
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looks like I spoke too soon, please keep praying
rjg854 replied to 953 nut's topic in non tractor related discussion
Continued prayers on your behalf, and for your bride. Richard a pacemaker is probably a good thing, you'll be like the Energizer Bunny, you'll just keep going and going. -
looks like I spoke too soon, please keep praying
squonk replied to 953 nut's topic in non tractor related discussion
Reminds me of my trip to Rochester to get the cardiac cath done. My wife is horrible with directions and city driving. Plus she grips the steering wheel with a death grip at 10 and 2 and never budges. She followed the ambulance and out the rear window I could see her "drafting" the ambulance. All the way thru the lane changes, can of worms ect. We get to the hospital and I asked the ambulance driver how fast he was going. He said 80! I laughed. My wife met me at the ER entrance white as a sheet! -
Yes handle as well, sorry I didn't explain that better. I've only ever used Estwing hammers. I have all my dad's hammers, one set of leather grips and a set of the poly type. My preference was the 20 oz for framing and a 16 oz for finish work.
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looks like I spoke too soon, please keep praying
ri702bill replied to 953 nut's topic in non tractor related discussion
When it rains, it pours. Sometimes in buckets..... -
looks like I spoke too soon, please keep praying
pfrederi replied to 953 nut's topic in non tractor related discussion
Stay strong in the face of adversity Richard!!! -
Kind of gets to a fellow knowing some thief was nosing around and trying to steal a fellows things. That's one thing about older vehicles most of them have quirks on start-up I know my '47 and '71 do. I dislike having to lock everything--and didn't use too-but now everything I can get inside is locked. Good to hear the idiots didn't make off with your '72.
