A Flushin' We Will Go

[ri702bill 8,488]

The original 5025 Unidrive on my 502 roller was completely full of water when I got it 8 or so years ago - what was left of the shifter boot looked like a used-up faucet washer, so I scrounged thru the "Parts Department" and came up with 2 potential candidates. 

 

It is not easy to find a 110-volt motor that has reversable rotation. My other 2 choices were to find a double shaft version, or to overhang mount the motor off the frame - not a good choice. I did find one off of the Shopsmith Mk 5' complete with 3 prong plug and an On/Off switch - and it did have 2 additional wires with Fast-ons - switched them and it now runs CCW. (like an electric Kohler!!)

 

The first Unidrive had noise issues and 4 leaking seals; after 2 flushes it got no better. The second one as shown was quiet and had 2 leaking seals. Drained what oil was in there, raising the front of the frame. Set the front back down, added 2 quarts of Diesel fuel thru the shifter hole and ran it on low speed thru all 4 gears, 10 minutes apiece. Repeated using the middle step and the largest step. Drained that, ready for new seals. If you think you MAY have a seal that is leaking, the thin Diesel fuel will let you know very quickly...

Edited March 29, 2022 by ri702bill

[peter lena 8,720]

@ri702bill  terrific  opportunity thought !  what a concept !  love the idea  of road testing and verifying an improvement . like to look at intended operational function , and improve on that . very often just a small detail change makes it function so much better.. on my road flush drives , been using ATF  fluid as a cleaner fluid , think it does a very thorough flush and drain down . keep it oily , pete

[ri702bill 8,488]

2 minutes ago, peter lena said:

been using ATF  fluid as a cleaner fluid

And is probably cost effective too - I paid $5.19 for a gallon of Diesel the other day.

Bill

[WHX?? 49,152]

You got it stripped down that far Bill I would be tempted to split it and check things out. 

[peter lena 8,720]

@ri702bill  being a lubrication nut , regularly look for lubrication / change results to any lubricant . if it works better  smoother . easier and lasts longer , why not go that way ?  pete

[ri702bill 8,488]

5 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

I would be tempted to split it and check things out. 

@WHX?? I might just do that with the noisy one first - never had the need to open one up - yet ....

Bill

[Pullstart 63,090]

Could you have twisted a longer belt?  Regardless I’m glad this isn’t a toilet or a plunger thread!  

[ri702bill 8,488]

1 hour ago, Pullstart said:

Could you have twisted a longer belt?

Like an old Corvair???

No toilet humor here - yet - not by me 

[Pullstart 63,090]

8 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

Like an old Corvair???

Yeah.  

[stevasaurus 22,860]

Actually, all you had to do, turn the motor around so the pulley is lined up and the motor is on the right side.  Or figure "8" a fan belt, like Kevin said.  

[ebinmaine 68,289]

4 hours ago, ri702bill said:

If you think you MAY have a seal that is leaking

You probably do and you should replace it anyways.  

 

 

4 hours ago, WHX?? said:

You got it stripped down that far Bill I would be tempted to split it and check things out. 

 

3 hours ago, ri702bill said:

@WHX?? I might just do that with the noisy one first - never had the need to open one up - yet ....

Bill

 

I wouldn't be just tempted Jim. I would have already started by now...

 

Bill, go ahead and pop that thing open. Pretty interesting stuff inside there.

No toilet valves mind you, but still pretty interesting stuff.

 

 

[ri702bill 8,488]

36 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

I would have already started by now...

OK just need to get a 3912 gasket .....

[wallfish 17,079]

7 hours ago, ri702bill said:

It is not easy to find a 110-volt motor that has reversable rotation.

True! Where did you find that one or was it something you already had?

I don't think it would hurt the trans to run it in reversed rotation. Might even help to run it both directions when cleaning it out too. 

[stevasaurus 22,860]

It shouldn't hurt the trans to run it in the opposite direction, but if you look down the shifter hole when running it in the counter-clock-wise direction, you will get the appreciation for how the transmission oils itself.  It is worth the look !!  

[ri702bill 8,488]

1 hour ago, wallfish said:

Where did you find that one or was it something you already had?

Yup - the Parts Department coughed up a worthy motor...from the "I just MAY have a use for this thing, but not just now, I'll leave it here shelf !!

Bill

[Wheelhorse#1 1,698]

Great idea.Thinking outside of the box.That should of really got the juices flowing !

[wallfish 17,079]

5 hours ago, stevasaurus said:

It shouldn't hurt the trans to run it in the opposite direction, but if you look down the shifter hole when running it in the counter-clock-wise direction, you will get the appreciation for how the transmission oils itself.  It is worth the look !!  

Is this like telling the kids to look in the end of the garden hose to tell me when the water is coming out? LoL

[Pullstart 63,090]

12 minutes ago, wallfish said:

Is this like telling the kids to look in the end of the garden hose to tell me when the water is coming out? LoL

I could still use that one!  Maybe not with my kids, but surely with my inlaw’s kids!

[Handy Don 12,452]

Hey @davem1111, check out the top of this thread. Got a spare motor to hook up to test your 700?

Edited March 30, 2022 by Handy Don

[gt14rider 796]

Just turn motor around to change direction, short belt,just let motor hang for tension.

[stevasaurus 22,860]

This is from 2011...Brrly1's #5007 tranns.

 

 

[davem1111 2,037]

On 3/29/2022 at 10:17 PM, Handy Don said:

Hey @davem1111, check out the top of this thread. Got a spare motor to hook up to test your 700?

 

Unfortunately I do not... probably should have pulled the motor from the old wash machine before scrapping it last year. 

 

I love ideas like this, and the challenges that prompt our brains to come up with them.   

[Handy Don 12,452]

Be thankful, @davem1111, that you clearly do not have the "I can't throw that out, it might be useful someday" disease.

Me, I'm sitting on three old motors (one with a switch for forward and reverse!) that I've been hanging onto "just in case" right next to a big box of scrap metal that I very occasionally mine for some project or repair. Something's gotta give here.

Edited April 3, 2022 by Handy Don

[davem1111 2,037]

7 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Be thankful, @davem1111, that you clearly do not have the "I can't throw that out, it might be useful someday" disease.

Me, I'm sitting on three old motors (one with a switch for forward and reverse!) that I've been hanging onto "just in case" right next to a big box of scrap metal that I very occasionally mine for some project or repair. Something's gotta give here.

 

Actually, I *do* have more than a mild case of that disease, but when my wife looks around the garage (which doesn't happen very often), there usually has to be some at least "token" sacrifice... 

[stevasaurus 22,860]

No problem, if you do not have a motor.  You can use your horse.