Picked Up a Reportedly NOS Magnum 8 HP Engine

[oliver2-44 9,765]

So this has been on Clist for quite a while, gradually reducing in price.  I looked at it, made an offer that was refused, but I left my number.  He called and said come get it this morning.  He said he bough it years ago as a replacement engine for a grain elevator on his farm.  Old Kohler on the grain elevator just kept running till he sold the farm and moved near here to retire.  He said he started it once, then drained the gas years ago. Many things look NOS, the spark plug still has factory red paint on it,  the paint hasn't even darkened around the exhaust and the nipple screwed into the exhaust has rusty threads, but was just a little more than hand tight.

The Spec# list it as a Basic 8HP Engine, and the Serial Number comes up as a 1986

I want to put some new fuel hose on it. Then hopefully I'll get to see if it will run this weekend, wish me luck.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 23, 2021 by oliver2-44

[oliver2-44 9,765]

Forgot to add 2 questions. 
1.  This is my first Magnum. Would an 8HP have a compression release feature, or can I do an accurate compression test on it
2. Since it's reportedly been setting  36 years, would you spray anything down in the cylinder and let it soak a few days to free up any possible gummed up rings?

 

@Sparky If I recall correctly, you have a Magnum 8 on a short frame square hood.  Is there anything special you would suggest I check or do befor I run this engine?

 

[OutdoorEnvy 1,522]

I'm not sure on the first question but for #2 I wouldn't soak it if seems to turn over by hand fine.  But it might not be a bad idea to run the first 10 minutes or so with some 2 stroke in it if you really want to be on the safe side.  It'll maybe smoke a little of course but you know it wouldn't run dry of oil at all during first run.  Any 50:1 would be fine for this.

Edited April 23, 2021 by OutdoorEnvy

[oliver2-44 9,765]

Thanks @OutdoorEnvy I’ve done that before but kind of forgot about it. 

[peter lena 8,647]

JIM,  if i might add ,pull the plug and add some wd-40 or similar spray lubricant , for initial turn over and dry wall lubrication , just enough to insure a free start .  quickly burn off  and good to go , pete 

[pfrederi 17,741]

It should have ACR  I would strongly not recommend WD-40.  About 45 years ago my Father and I put new rings in a Techy H-60.  We sprayed some WD-40 on the valve stems and some other places as a pre-lube.  Fired engine up ran for a few minutes and stopped dead.  Valves were stuck the heat did something to the WD-40 and it became very sticky.  Cleaned them off used some oil for prelube and engine ran great for many years..

[clueless 3,005]

Is it a pull start or a electric start?

[pfrederi 17,741]

5 minutes ago, clueless said:

Is it a pull start or a electric start?

 

 

Parts manual for that spec# shows electric starting

[oliver2-44 9,765]

Yes, it’s electric start

I gassed it up with 2 cycle gas, put a squirt of oil in the cylinder and spin it over with the plug wire off. It started dumping gas out the carb telling me float was stuck. I shut the gas almost off and it fired up for a few seconds, then flooded

Pulled the carb and the float was stuck down to the goo in the bowl. Had to soak it in carb cleaner to even get bowl off. It will soak in cleaner for a day or two. 

 

 

Edited April 23, 2021 by oliver2-44

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,347]

21 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

 

 

@Sparky If I recall correctly, you have a Magnum 8 on a short frame square hood.  Is there anything special you would suggest I check or do befor I run this engine?

 

I’ve never tried to fire up a motor after being “asleep” for that long so I have no advice....but I see the guys here have you all squared away 

[oliver2-44 9,765]

Thanks everyone. I’ll let y’all know how it runs after I finish cleaning the carb