Magnum 14 Frustration

[953 nut 57,841]

My guess is the engine was a Friday quitt'n time unit and they threw in two intake valves. Exhaust valves are thicker and though the intake valve used as exhaust will seat adequately when cold it could warp a slight bit when hot.

Buy a new exhaust valve, buy a valve spring compressor,  clean it up real well and return it when you are finished. Retail auto parts stores do it all the time.

[Racinbob 11,718]

38 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

My guess is the engine was a Friday quitt'n time unit and they threw in two intake valves. Exhaust valves are thicker and though the intake valve used as exhaust will seat adequately when cold it could warp a slight bit when hot.

Buy a new exhaust valve, buy a valve spring compressor,  clean it up real well and return it when you are finished. Retail auto parts stores do it all the time.

I've pretty much ruled out it being a valve issue. The exhaust valve is thicker and just don't see the smaller valve spec'd for the 14 even coming close to working. One of my first thoughts was that a 16hp block slipped in there but the head bolt count said no to that. I never checked the dims on the od of the valve seat though.

I'm no engine guru but I'm still saying the coil. If the issue still persists after I get through my list I'll just get the tools. The compressor, leak down tester, etc. 

 

[johnnymag3 2,559]

My  .....  The part you mentioned when taking the seat is this  - "I used the  CHOKE to keep it running" ....is throwing me a curveball.....

 

  A failing coil doesn't care if you are choking the carb to get fuel.  Another curveball is ...why would the Valve care if you are CHOKING the engine??? Isn't that a mechanical type issue ??

 

My money is on COIL ,but I'm still confused how using the choke is keeping it running if the COIL is on its way out.....   I will be following to know the end result....

[squonk 42,508]

37 minutes ago, johnnymag3 said:

My  .....  The part you mentioned when taking the seat is this  - "I used the  CHOKE to keep it running" ....is throwing me a curveball.....

 

  A failing coil doesn't care if you are choking the carb to get fuel.  Another curveball is ...why would the Valve care if you are CHOKING the engine??? Isn't that a mechanical type issue ??

 

My money is on COIL ,but I'm still confused how using the choke is keeping it running if the COIL is on its way out.....   I will be following to know the end result....

A rich mixture is easier to fire than a lean one. Weak spark will need more fuel to fire.

[Racinbob 11,718]

@johnnymag3I think Mike nailed it. It was similar to running out of fuel but different. 

 

I ordered the new coil from Kentucky and it made it to Indy quickly.....................9 days ago. Another non-related package was being held hostage too but it was released 2 days ago the usual trip to South Bend and then here today. I'll have to talk to my negotiator about that. I'd rather they would have released the coil. 

 

Moving Through Network

In Transit to Next Facility, Arriving Late

 

February 23, 2025

 

Arrived at USPS Regional Destination Facility

INDIANAPOLIS IN DISTRIBUTION CENTER 

February 19, 2025, 3:26 pm

[Racinbob 11,718]

They released one captive and I received it but now they have another one apparently to keep the coil company. @WHX?? Guess where the Wisconsin package is sitting. 

[HyperPete 477]

3 hours ago, Racinbob said:

They released one captive and I received it but now they have another one apparently to keep the coil company. @WHX?? Guess where the Wisconsin package is sitting. 

 

California?

 

USPS sometimes ships my packages from the East coast to CA before delivering it to me in Pennsylvania.

[David Blanchard 14]

While the head is off would not hurt to pop the valves out & lap them any way. Anyone you know may own the proper tools you could borrow? Those tools are not real expensive but understand not wanting to invest in something not likley to be used again. Still betting its a coil issue.

[HyperPete 477]

21 minutes ago, David Blanchard said:

Those tools are not real expensive but understand not wanting to invest in something not likely to be used again.

 

One (two?) drinks at a bar / restaurant buys them.

 

[David Blanchard 14]

Yes still needing some lapping compound & a spring compressor makes it much easier but amazon/ ebay makes the stuff easy to obtain. I still miss the local neighborhood parts stores with machine shops we grew up with

[Racinbob 11,718]

11 hours ago, Pete D said:

 

California?

 

USPS sometimes ships my packages from the East coast to CA before delivering it to me in Pennsylvania.

 

No Pete. This isn't a routing issue. Apparently the Indy branch is making some changes causing packages to sit, sometimes for weeks.

 

Guys, it's not a matter of buying the tools. I just don't like buying something to use once and sit in the drawer forever. Countless times I was tempted to tool up for rebuilding these engines but I just never did. I've check out the valves and I'm pretty certain they are fine. I'm sticking to doing my list as I posted in post #21. If it still has the problem then I'll take it further.

 

On the other hand, if I had the tools I would think about attacking a K-341 that's sitting on the shelf. Rebuilt 57 hours ago but what I believe IS a valve issue occurred. I was just going to get it to someone who wanted to tinker with it but...................... That's another story.

[ebinmaine 70,685]

2 minutes ago, Racinbob said:

. I was just going to get it to someone who wanted to tinker with it but...................... That's another story

 

I'd be happy to own and tinker with that but the commuting distance could be prohibitive. 

 

[Racinbob 11,718]

With this bunch of yahoos stranger things have happened Eric. 

[ebinmaine 70,685]

1 minute ago, Racinbob said:

With this bunch of yahoos stranger things have happened Eric. 

T'is true!

[Lagersolut 722]

7 hours ago, Racinbob said:

 

No Pete. This isn't a routing issue. Apparently the Indy branch is making some changes causing packages to sit, sometimes for weeks.

 

Guys, it's not a matter of buying the tools. I just don't like buying something to use once and sit in the drawer forever. Countless times I was tempted to tool up for rebuilding these engines but I just never did. I've check out the valves and I'm pretty certain they are fine. I'm sticking to doing my list as I posted in post #21. If it still has the problem then I'll take it further.

 

On the other hand, if I had the tools I would think about attacking a K-341 that's sitting on the shelf. Rebuilt 57 hours ago but what I believe IS a valve issue occurred. I was just going to get it to someone who wanted to tinker with it but...................... That's another story.

 

I'm sharing your frustration with this magneto held hostage - I want to know what this ghost is and the tractor fixed - check this thread every day hoping we all have our answer  

[Racinbob 11,718]

 I don't know how you guys would handle this. I know it's not the sellers fault. He was lightning quick to get it shipped. He apparently saw the delay a few days ago and sent me a message about it asking for my patience. I assured him that I understand. Yesterday I was in a 'mood'. @WHX?? the Wisconsin package was pardoned and released to go to South Bend. It probably will get here today, tomorrow at the latest. I sent the seller another message saying I was another one shipped or a refund NOW. He came back saying he'd ship another one asap. Then I felt a little bad. Again, it wasn't his fault. After thinking about it I wrote him back saying to get another one shipped and if I do end up with two I'll ship the other one back on my nickel. 

 

This was printed out this morning. Apparently the updates have stopped.

 

Moving Through Network

In Transit to Next Facility, Arriving Late

 

February 23, 2025

 

Arrived at USPS Regional Destination Facility

INDIANAPOLIS IN DISTRIBUTION CENTER 

February 19, 2025, 3:26 pm

Arrived at USPS Regional Origin Facility

LEXINGTON KY DISTRIBUTION CENTER 

February 18, 2025, 8:28 pm

Accepted at USPS Origin Facility

HEBRON, KY 41048 

February 18, 2025, 7:13 pm

Departed Shipping Partner Facility, USPS Awaiting Item

HEBRON, KY 41048 

February 17, 2025, 6:31 pm
Shipping Partner: WINIT

Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item

HEBRON, KY 41048 

February 16, 2025, 8:30 pm

[squonk 42,508]

Sometimes I wonder if it's more related to small packages getting "lost or delayed"  My wife bought some seeds for her garden from Gurneys. 2 small envelopes and it took 14 days to arrive after they were shipped. I just sent a good size box to SC. Priority 3 day shipping and it got there in 2 days.

 

I ordered some stuff from McMaster Carr Fri. afternoon. I got it the next day (Sat).  Order said it was expected to arrive today (Mon). 

[Racinbob 11,718]

3 hours ago, squonk said:

Sometimes I wonder if it's more related to small packages getting "lost or delayed"  My wife bought some seeds for her garden from Gurneys. 2 small envelopes and it took 14 days to arrive after they were shipped. I just sent a good size box to SC. Priority 3 day shipping and it got there in 2 days.

 

I ordered some stuff from McMaster Carr Fri. afternoon. I got it the next day (Sat).  Order said it was expected to arrive today (Mon). 

 

Not in this case Mike. We track a lot of stuff and know that if it hits the Indy branch it's a crapshoot. You can do a search on it and know what I mean. They are claiming that changes are being made and they are 'on top of it'. This is the first time we've experienced a delay like this but many are seeing weeks go by. There's even the potential of legal action being taken. Good luck with that. Fortunately the package from Jim made it today but we figured it would. We saw that it was heading to South Bend and that means we'll get it the next day or in two days if it arrived in SB late in the day. 

[Lagersolut 722]

8 hours ago, squonk said:

Sometimes I wonder if it's more related to small packages getting "lost or delayed"  My wife bought some seeds for her garden from Gurneys. 2 small envelopes and it took 14 days to arrive after they were shipped. I just sent a good size box to SC. Priority 3 day shipping and it got there in 2 days.

 

I ordered some stuff from McMaster Carr Fri. afternoon. I got it the next day (Sat).  Order said it was expected to arrive today (Mon). 

I ordered seeds from flea bay - same thing - some of the sellers are advertising 1st class but when the tracking comes through ( number that begins with e ) it’s a shipping partner and the package can’t be tracked - also when it hits my local post office or close to it says out for delivery . Some of my seeds took 3-4 days to get here after it showed out for delivery . I ordered California wonder pepper seeds 10 days ago from an advertised 1st class shipper and they’re still not here and the tracking was another E number .. so it wasn’t shipped 1st class . 
 

I’m not sure what shipping service this is partnered with the USPS but they’re slower than molasses in January and I don’t like it . 
 

start ordering seeds I need early - a lot  of my patch starts on heat mats and I have a strict schedule what and when it goes on the mat .I was at Lowe’s for another project picked up a pack of Ferry Morse - E bays seeds will be good next year . 

[pfrederi 18,322]

Ask the vendor to reship with UPS

 

When I order from McMaster if it is before 6 pm it is here eh next day they use UPS and isn't much more than USPS...

Edited March 4 by pfrederi

[Racinbob 11,718]

After saying he would send another coil he got back to me saying he's out of stock. I requested a refund and ordered another one elsewhere. I'm pretty much at a standstill on the 314-H so I was tinkering with the Dino C-121. I opened things up and checked the valve lash. Both were a bit tight I'm guessing due to normal wear. The valves look great. 

Since I'm going electric I removed the mechanical pump. I'll make a plate to close it up. It hit me that I have a couple of vacuum pumps in my stash. I pondered using one of those instead of electric. I could tap a 1/4" barb fitting in the cover plate to pick up the pulse. I wonder if it would solve the low fuel tank issue as well as an electric? I could mount the vacuum pump lower than the original. Opinions?

 

 

Here's one of the pumps I have.

 

 

Fuel direction isn't indicated so I guess it's safe to assume it doesn't matter? 

 

 

[cleat 7,005]

10 minutes ago, Racinbob said:

After saying he would send another coil he got back to me saying he's out of stock. I requested a refund and ordered another one elsewhere. I'm pretty much at a standstill on the 314-H so I was tinkering with the Dino C-121. I opened things up and checked the valve lash. Both were a bit tight I'm guessing due to normal wear. The valves look great. 

Since I'm going electric I removed the mechanical pump. I'll make a plate to close it up. It hit me that I have a couple of vacuum pumps in my stash. I pondered using one of those instead of electric. I could tap a 1/4" barb fitting in the cover plate to pick up the pulse. I wonder if it would solve the low fuel tank issue as well as an electric? I could mount the vacuum pump lower than the original. Opinions?

 

 

Here's one of the pumps I have.

 

 

Fuel direction isn't indicated so I guess it's safe to assume it doesn't matter? 

 

 

Fuel inlet and outlet definitely matter as the check valves only work one way.

You should be able to blow through in the direction of fuel flow but not the other way.

 

Tractor (what I can see in the pic. looks great).

 

Edited March 4 by cleat

[Ed Kennell 40,455]

1 hour ago, cleat said:

 I wonder if it would solve the low fuel tank issue as well as an electric? I could mount the vacuum pump lower than the original. Opinions?

Lowering the fuel pump below the tank will certainly help to prevent the drain back and loss of prime in the pump.   The advantage of the electric pump and a primer bulb,  the engine does not have to be cranked to fill the carb bowl.  

Agree with Cleat, all diaphragm pumps only pump in one direction.    They all have two same direction check valves with a diaphragm between.

Edited March 4 by Ed Kennell

[Racinbob 11,718]

That was yet another 'duh' moment.  I've never used this style of pump. It does seem odd that they didn't identify them. 

I definitely prefer electrics for the very reason you mention Ed. I'm not sure how I'll go on this one. This tractor could likely become one of the main mowers when it's done. The verdict is still out on the 314. I guess I can always switch out to an electric if I don't care for the vacuum. 

[Bill D 2,087]

11 hours ago, Racinbob said:

After saying he would send another coil he got back to me saying he's out of stock. I requested a refund and ordered another one elsewhere. I'm pretty much at a standstill on the 314-H so I was tinkering with the Dino C-121. I opened things up and checked the valve lash. Both were a bit tight I'm guessing due to normal wear. The valves look great. 

Since I'm going electric I removed the mechanical pump. I'll make a plate to close it up. It hit me that I have a couple of vacuum pumps in my stash. I pondered using one of those instead of electric. I could tap a 1/4" barb fitting in the cover plate to pick up the pulse. I wonder if it would solve the low fuel tank issue as well as an electric? I could mount the vacuum pump lower than the original. Opinions?

 

 

Here's one of the pumps I have.

 

 

Fuel direction isn't indicated so I guess it's safe to assume it doesn't matter? 

 

 

I make up mounting plates like this to mount the fuel pump.  I use stainless steel for the plate so it won't need to be painted.

I'd recommend using Kawasaki part number 49040-0803 for the pump instead of the pump you have.  On that pump the outlet is on the upper left and the pulse line and inlet are on the lower right, perfect for this application.  Kawasaki pumps are made by Mikuni in Japan and are much better quality than a Chinese knockoff, and less likely to fail resulting in gas in your oil.

Edited March 5 by Bill D
Wrong part number