Ransomes MG5 Crawler

[m_c]

I wouldn't use easy start, as it's far to harsh for something you start by hand.

I personally use a bottle of LPG with a torch, but have in the past used a small gas bottle and plumbing torch.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

I wouldn't use easy start, as it's far to harsh for something you start by hand.

I personally use a bottle of LPG with a torch, but have in the past used a small gas bottle and plumbing torch.

Don’t go daft and it’ll be fine

 

[Dieselman 63]

Now it’s firing out of the intake. Shoddy video - holding phone and cranking not easy. It just gave a beautiful flame before, unfortunately the wrong way, I want that power inside the chamber!

MG Problem

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[Dieselman 63]

Question: Does the magneto have an impulse start ring? If so, and it’s not working, that may mean the timing is set a long way off.

If it does, the timing needs to a smidgen after top dead centre at cranking speeds. I have one engine with each cylinder almost two litres - it has an impulse start on the mag and you don't want to be hand-cranking that if it fires before top dead centre!

I did question that, but it was running only a few months ago and I have never touched the mag (which works, zapped myself with it!). I have taken the carb apart again to test, but it’s too late to fire it now. Maybe tomorrow when I get home…

 

[Ton-up]

Stuck valve or wrongly adjusted tappets, (if applicable!)

 

[Dieselman 63]

You still need to check your timing. The magneto could have slipped on the shaft or something.

Good idea! I like options, gives me more things to try when I’m staring at it in confusion

To demonstrate my technical proficiency I decided to drop a wax crayon and the gasket for the carburettor into the air intake blower. That then had to come off…

Time for bed!

 

[dobbslc]

Have you done a compression test? That would rule out carb or ignition problems if it is low.
I've had spark plugs that worked fine one day then didn't the next! It could be that simple? Sorry if you've already tried this.

 

[dobbslc]

It does sound like a timing problem but I've had the same popping and farting on a good engine when a plug gets wet.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Stuck valve or wrongly adjusted tappets, (if applicable!)

I took the head (?) off which is just cooking fins and the plug. Valves are in the block, the valves are pushed from within the block, not sure if it’s directly off the cams or if there’s push rods but anyway. They seemed fine, or fine enough for something 70 years old! I applied a thin bead of sealant to the head gasket, a 1mm sheet of copper.

 

[Robotstar5]

I took the head (?) off which is just cooking fins and the plug. Valves are in the block, the valves are pushed from within the block, not sure if it’s directly off the cams or if there’s push rods but anyway. They seemed fine, or fine enough for something 70 years old! I applied a thin bead of sealant to the head gasket, a 1mm sheet of copper.

I wouldn't use a sealant, just anneal the copper gasket

There may be a cover on the side of the block near the valves which should expose something like this on one of my stationary engines

 

[Dieselman 63]

I wouldn't use a sealant, just anneal the copper gasket

There may be a cover on the side of the block near the valves which should expose something like this on one of my stationary engines

View attachment 298924

There is a cover just like that! It was leaking oil badly, so I fitted a cork gasket to it. But one of a raft of problems fixed!

 

[Dieselman 63]

MG Problem

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Another crap quality vid but will give a glimpse into what I’m struggling with. Everything should be fine. Proper annoying. I have no idea how to time it, either. Looks like I might have to pull the engine to do that as the mag is stuffed down the back, almost impossible to get at.

 

[angellonewolf]

you listed it as a private video

 

[Dieselman 63]

Have you done a compression test? That would rule out carb or ignition problems if it is low.
I've had spark plugs that worked fine one day then didn't the next! It could be that simple? Sorry if you've already tried this.

You win the magic star for pushing me to try another spark plug. Actually I tried a few different types, funny what you find lying about!

I was delighted as it ripped into life. I need to tidy up the garage now, it’s a bloody tip!

 

[Robotstar5]

Nice to see it running

These old engines can be a bit picky with which spark plugs they like it may be worth joining a couple of the stationary engine and old tractor groups as there is bound to be someone with a few plugs willing to help.

I keep an eye on the groups as Ebay etc. always seem to overvalue them, I pick up used or sometimes NOS for my engines as they seem to run better than on modern equivalents.

This is a NOS Champion 8 COM I found a while ago, you can even dismantle it for cleaning!

 

[dobbslc]

I was delighted as it ripped into life. I need to tidy up the garage now, it’s a bloody tip!

Yee haar!
Glad it's running.