Ransomes MG5 Crawler

[Dieselman 63]

Shiny shiny. Needs new paint but I need to find a new universal before then.

 

[Dieselman 63]

I went to visit the crawler yesterday to see how it is. Took it for a drive and only stalled once which was nice. She’s a bit shakey over hills. Not entirely sure why but they’ve made a gulley about 1x0.5m at the property it’s at, it’s good fun ramping into that and out the other side!

New PTO bearings, cover, and a carb needle are coming from England which is exciting. I think my needle is badly worn as it’s puffing away with black smoke, running rich.

 

[Dieselman 63]

I also got this NGK plug cover, it’s waterproof and stops me worrying about sending magneto voltage into my arm when cranking over. Non-original but better than the brass clip.

 

[Dieselman 63]

While your needle may be worn, it could be the fuel level in the float chamber that is incorrect - meaning it may be the float, the needle valve or even some gasket material interfering with the float movement. I’ve also come cross leakage around the foat valve where it is screwed into the carb.

Other faults could be the air supply - filter, or choke mechanism loose. More unlikely, intermittently leaking, or not leaking, air into the induction side, thus changing the perceived settings in an uncontrolled manner.

Fuel level in the carb can be altered by bending bits or by changing the washer thickness under the float valve. The gasket between float chamber and cover may also be allowing fuel to enter the airstream without passing through the carb jets.

You need to know how the fuel metering is changing throughout the speed range, but hopefully, for you, the new needle will resolve the problem.

Do you have a ’kill’ switch on the magneto? Many single cylinder engines of this type simply had a simple sprung steel strip that was pressed onto the plug terminal to short the spark.

An interesting and useful post which I will read more carefully later on, thank you

Yes there is a kill switch, though I usually just choke the engine. Easier… though I did leave provision for such a switch on my dash panel I built. The final hole.

 

[Dieselman 63]

So my plug gets a bit fouled and I decided to drag this ancient plug doctor out which I’d thoughtfully dismantled with a view to restoring it, but I honestly think it’s a waste of time and I will give it an oily rag resto, shine up the chrome bits and leave the paint. Had a quote to restore the plaque and they wanted close to $500 which is double what I paid for this.

Anyway… sight glasses cleaned, and the sticky buttons for the compound blast have been oiled and work smoothly. I need a little under-bench compressor to run the blaster now.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Mostly back together

 

[Dieselman 63]

Back on the bench, compressor sure is loud, sandblaster works, need some media for it. More crap off the floor, I’m happy!

 

[MCKDAVID]

that's what I like about jobs like this, having to fix something that I need to fix the something that I'll need to fix the something else so I can repair the original thing I was trying to repair in the first place... aaargh........ maybe that's why things take an age to get out the door.... ah well at least we move forward..

nice work by the way...

 

[Dieselman 63]

that's what I like about jobs like this, having to fix something that I need to fix the something that I'll need to fix the something else so I can repair the original thing I was trying to repair in the first place... aaargh........ maybe that's why things take an age to get out the door.... ah well at least we move forward..

nice work by the way...

Haha yes it’s a bloody nightmare here I tell you but… we do make progress! Waiting on those bits from England, new PTO bearings, can’t wait. I’ll probably change the oil whilst the gearbox lid is off, makes sense.

 

[octo0072000]

Back on the bench, compressor sure is loud, sandblaster works, need some media for it. More crap off the floor, I’m happy!

View attachment 321479

you need carborundum media not sand for the blaster

 

[Robotstar5]

Out of interest, what plug are you running?, some older engines run better on older plugs (even used ones!) the stationary engine crowd have found putting a modern equivalent plug into an old engine and some won't even start.

 

[Robotstar5]

I also got this NGK plug cover, it’s waterproof and stops me worrying about sending magneto voltage into my arm when cranking over. Non-original but better than the brass clip.

View attachment 320781

Make sure it's not a resistor cap, kills magnetos

 

[Robotstar5]

Not sure about that, but they certainly reduce the spark energy from a magneto, which is limited for a mag compared to the possibilities with the Kettering system. It might do the mag no good if the spark is unable to jump the spark plug gap, but I doubt it would kill it.

The mags on some of the old engines were designed to last 10 maybe 20 years, my oldest was getting on for 90 years old, it needs all the help it can get

 

[Dieselman 63]

Out of interest, what plug are you running?, some older engines run better on older plugs (even used ones!) the stationary engine crowd have found putting a modern equivalent plug into an old engine and some won't even start.

A champion JC8, though I think it’d benefit from something hotter.

Your tip about shoe polish on the mag worked wonders btw. Nice work!

 

[Dieselman 63]

you need carborundum media not sand for the blaster

Yes, I was advised the sand can embed in the metal then loosen under heat and score the bores.

 

[zeppelin builder]

I’ve tracked the oil leak down to the valve cover which is up on top of the engine between the cooling fins. There was an old paper gasket in there, but I’m wondering if cork might be better? Im going to put some hylomar on there, too.

old corn flake box and a smear of silicone

 

[zeppelin builder]

Absolute killing machines, for the love of god don’t drive it up a steep incline forwards!

surely front heavy though

 

[zeppelin builder]

A champion JC8, though I think it’d benefit from something hotter.

Your tip about shoe polish on the mag worked wonders btw. Nice work!

usualy 18 mm plugs
lodge c3
or champion 8 com

gap at 15 thou and dont fit modern resistor plug caps

 

[Dieselman 63]

Picked up some spares. All put away carefully. Some of the tool bar found and laid out, and the belt pulley.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Onto more work. The hitch lift gear is almost all there, but needs some work on degreasing. A job for the wire wheel and some petrol. This must be installed before the PTO or you can’t fit it.

The PTO is getting new bearings and they’re lovely. I got a new fibre washer for the sump plug (40c each ) and new oil seals. Going to investigate brake bands - right one I’d looking dusty, may need changing. Exciting stuff! (For me at least!)