Things are going well with Engine 1. Now that the engine is in and the front is all back together we've been working on little issues here and there.
We were having problems with the stock oil pressure and temperature gauges not reading, so we took the dash apart and found that the cluster voltage regulator was bad. Replacement from NAPA, with no guarantee of compatibility, was $40 plus shipping. So we skipped on that for now. I was able to take the old one apart and clean up the contacts...the gauges are working, but I don't trust their accuracy. I went to Advance Auto Parts and picked up a set of gauges (three in one unit) which read temperature, oil pressure, and voltage. All good things to know while the truck is running! After getting them installed, we found that the cooling system works fine....she heats up to about 190 while idling, and when revved she drops to 160-170 and stays there. Perfectly fine for me. Oil pressure runs a tad high at cold idle (about 40 PSI), but drops to 20 PSI when hot idling. Really good numbers for an old IH SV engine!! That confirms that the main and cam bearings are all good. Voltage hovers around 13 volts, which is good.
The truck got a new fuse panel as well by using a Seacraft panel purchased from Ace Hardware for $16. We think the old panel was shorting out because we would loose lights, turn signals, and panel lights intermittently. Every time we would try and diagnose the issue the we would find that when we wiggled the fuse panel things would come back up. Rather than dealing with a possible electrical fire from the panel, and having to constantly chase the issue down, we just opted to replace the thing.
Tires have been another issue we had to solve. The current front tires cracked while sitting out in the sun for a year and a half, and the rears seemed to survive ok (there is minor cracking, but not as bad as the front). Being an old truck, it has Budd lock ring rims and 750-20 bias ply tube type tires. What a PITA to find. After a week long search, I found a pair of Power King 10 plys at a local tire shop for $148 each with tubes and flaps. Pretty good price, if you ask me, considering that I found some different ones that were $216 each, without the tubes/flaps, plus I would have to pay for shipping from California ($$$!!!). I'm excited, and tomorrow will be spent getting the tires changed at Stratham Tire in Brentwood, NH.
The truck actually did make it out onto the road Monday night (albeit illegally) for a quick road test. The truck did pretty well, making it down the driveway and a quick brake test was performed.....the brakes held very nicely on my hill of a driveway. Out the driveway and to the right we went, up the Langford Road hill. We stayed in first gear (we could have gone into second gear, but didn't want to push it) and she pulled all the way up the hill, staying in a normal temperature range and good oil pressure. It was a slow ride, but it was nice to know she can pull herself up without issue. Once at the top, second gear was a breeze, and when we got into third we had a little bit of coughing and backfiring. Noted the issue, went to the turnaround spot, and went back home with no problems at all. A good first trip for an engine that hasn't run in a while, and for the truck that hasn't moved in over a year.
After the tires get changed, we're going to double check the timing with a light and make sure that the initial timing is correct, that the vacuum advance is working, and that the mechanical advance is also good. Once the timing is set, if we are still having issues we're going to rebuild the carburetor (I have a kit ready to go). It's won't hurt for it to get cleaned up completely!
Pictures will be coming!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Video of the First Engine Start in 15 Years.
So here is the video from Monday when the truck started up for the first time. The truck it's self hasn't run in over a year. The engine, on the other hand, was removed from an old International Scout about 15 years ago and sat on an engine crane in someone's garage since. I picked up the engine in early 2008 to replace the bad motor.
(Ok, so this isn't the first time it's fired. We did fire it with starting fluid on Sunday just to be sure we would even fire. This is the first time she really started and ran for any length of time.)
That's my girlfriend Katherin holding the camera and making comments about things. She was the motivator for me to finally get the truck back on the road. Thanks, hunny! (But I think it's because she 1.) wants to ride in it and play with the lights/sirens and 2.) she wants to drive it.)
We were having some problems keeping her running (stale gas), and a few problems with the battery jumper while trying to get her running. The smoke you see cleared up soon after we stopped recording, and I'm thinking it was just oil in the cylinders and the exhaust buring off.
After a carb adjustment later in the day, she was running like a champ and actually moved under her own power down the driveway, into a 3-point turn (always fun without power steering), and back up to a different spot so we could clean up the spare parts and tools.
Pop some popcorn and enjoy the show!
I've also decided that when we go to parades we're going to set the camera up on a tripod on top of the truck behind the cab. I think that would be a pretty cool video!
(Ok, so this isn't the first time it's fired. We did fire it with starting fluid on Sunday just to be sure we would even fire. This is the first time she really started and ran for any length of time.)
That's my girlfriend Katherin holding the camera and making comments about things. She was the motivator for me to finally get the truck back on the road. Thanks, hunny! (But I think it's because she 1.) wants to ride in it and play with the lights/sirens and 2.) she wants to drive it.)
We were having some problems keeping her running (stale gas), and a few problems with the battery jumper while trying to get her running. The smoke you see cleared up soon after we stopped recording, and I'm thinking it was just oil in the cylinders and the exhaust buring off.
After a carb adjustment later in the day, she was running like a champ and actually moved under her own power down the driveway, into a 3-point turn (always fun without power steering), and back up to a different spot so we could clean up the spare parts and tools.
Pop some popcorn and enjoy the show!
I've also decided that when we go to parades we're going to set the camera up on a tripod on top of the truck behind the cab. I think that would be a pretty cool video!
Monday, April 20, 2009
DONE!
It's Done. East Candia Engine 1 is offically back in service after more than a year of downtime. For the first time today, the Engine rolled out from the spot she was sitting in and took a trip onto the open road. Granted it was a short trip down the driveway, three point turn to point back the way we came, and back up the driveway, but it was a start.
Parade season is comming fast, and I fully expect to complete the entire parade circuit this year with minimal issues.
Even though the project on the engine work is complete, Engine 1 needs a lot more TLC. We need new floorboards. We need new tires (eventually). We need a bit of electrcal work in the cab done.
Keep checking back, because I'll continue to post things about my little projects, and post pictures of all the parades we make it to this year!
Parade season is comming fast, and I fully expect to complete the entire parade circuit this year with minimal issues.
Even though the project on the engine work is complete, Engine 1 needs a lot more TLC. We need new floorboards. We need new tires (eventually). We need a bit of electrcal work in the cab done.
Keep checking back, because I'll continue to post things about my little projects, and post pictures of all the parades we make it to this year!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
95% Complete
The last four days have been filled with all sorts of engine work fun. After deciding that putting the new engine in would be easier with the heads off as the engine to transmission mounting bolts would be easier to access. I also figured that since I had a set of head gaskets laying around it wouldn't hurt to do the job. So I removed the heads and cleaned out the gunk from cylinders #2 and #8, the ones that got a little wet while the engine was sitting outside. The cylinder walls looked good though!
Thursday, 4/16/2009
My friend Jimmy came over with his wrecker to remove the engine with me. We hooked onto the old block with the tow cable and out the junker came. Then we removed the clutch plates and the flywheel for the new engine. After getting the new engine on the tow cable, we put the flywheel and clutch on, but not without a little bit of a scare with the fit. Apparently the new engine was mated to an automatic transmission (or the manual tranny was different) because there was a 4" spacer on the back of the crankshaft. Fortunately it was held in with just a roll pin and we were able to tap it off with a hammer and some elbow grease. Tragedy averted, the engine was hoisted into the frame and mated with the tranny after a little wiggling. We did have a slight issues as one of the alignment pins stayed in the bell house ear when the old engine came out, so we had to cut the new pin with a hacksaw as we didn't notice until after the tow truck was unhooked. It was easier to just cut it than it was to remove the engine. After that was done, it mated without incident.
Saturday 4/18/2009
We cleaned both the engine block and cylinder head surfaces with a soft die grinder to removed the old rust (thanks to the folks on oldihc.org for the tip) and also did the same to the intake manifold surfaces before putting the manifold back on. The heads went on without a problem, and the intake manifold was a breeze to put on. The exhaust manifolds were a little more difficult, but after some choice words and a few cuts on the hand, they were snug to the engine.
We bolted on the fuel pump next, and then timed the engine to cylinder number eight, without the use of a timing light. All we did was align the timing mark with zero degrees on the compression stroke, picked a post on the distributor cap, and started counting from there. My IHC V-304 rebuild manual that I bought was an excellent resource for this project!
The oil was changed, and a new oil filter was screwed on.
Sunday 4/19/2009
Today was spent putting on the thermostat housing (with a new 160 degree thermostat) which we picked up from Sanel Auto Parts. They didn't have a new gasket available for the housing, so Katherin (my girlfriend) cut a new gasket out of cork using the old one as a guide. The alternator bracket was hooked on and alternator was added. After some head scratching about the alternator and coil wiring, I referred to a diagram I drew that I used to build a new voltage regulator for the truck. (Back in 2007 I had to have the alternator rebuilt, and we discovered the old voltage regulator was bad. The guys at Auto Electric in Brentwood, NH, who also rebuilt the alternator, were able to help me build a replacement from few different pieces.) After everything was hooked up properly, we put the pulleys on the water pump and the crankshaft. The twin V-belts were run, and the carburetor was put onto the manifold. A good battery charge was done as well!
We sprayed a little bit of starting fluid into the carb and closed the choke. After a bit of a crank, the engine sputtered! I sprayed a little more ether, but left the choke open.....and she backfired right out of the carb! There was quite a flame, but I didn't lose my eyebrows. After that lesson, we did it once more. After the engine caught, I forgot that I had the fuel lines connected, and fuel started coming up into the lower filter....I noticed it but figured it wouldn't make it to the second filter before the carb.....boy was I wrong! About 10 seconds after it hit the first filter before the fuel pump, the second filter was full! I told Katherin to shut the engine down as I wasn't ready to have her run on her own...it was simply a test to make sure the truck would even fire!
Tomorrow will be spent putting the radiator in, adding engine coolant, and getting the throttle and choke cables hooked back up. We also have to splice some of the wires back together as I had to cut a few so the engine could get (they ran just above the radiator). After that's done we can spend he rest of the afternoon adjusting the carb for the truck and letting her spend some time running. Maybe she will even sneak a ride onto the road for a test.......
More to follow tomorrow!
Thursday, 4/16/2009
My friend Jimmy came over with his wrecker to remove the engine with me. We hooked onto the old block with the tow cable and out the junker came. Then we removed the clutch plates and the flywheel for the new engine. After getting the new engine on the tow cable, we put the flywheel and clutch on, but not without a little bit of a scare with the fit. Apparently the new engine was mated to an automatic transmission (or the manual tranny was different) because there was a 4" spacer on the back of the crankshaft. Fortunately it was held in with just a roll pin and we were able to tap it off with a hammer and some elbow grease. Tragedy averted, the engine was hoisted into the frame and mated with the tranny after a little wiggling. We did have a slight issues as one of the alignment pins stayed in the bell house ear when the old engine came out, so we had to cut the new pin with a hacksaw as we didn't notice until after the tow truck was unhooked. It was easier to just cut it than it was to remove the engine. After that was done, it mated without incident.
Saturday 4/18/2009
We cleaned both the engine block and cylinder head surfaces with a soft die grinder to removed the old rust (thanks to the folks on oldihc.org for the tip) and also did the same to the intake manifold surfaces before putting the manifold back on. The heads went on without a problem, and the intake manifold was a breeze to put on. The exhaust manifolds were a little more difficult, but after some choice words and a few cuts on the hand, they were snug to the engine.
We bolted on the fuel pump next, and then timed the engine to cylinder number eight, without the use of a timing light. All we did was align the timing mark with zero degrees on the compression stroke, picked a post on the distributor cap, and started counting from there. My IHC V-304 rebuild manual that I bought was an excellent resource for this project!
The oil was changed, and a new oil filter was screwed on.
Sunday 4/19/2009
Today was spent putting on the thermostat housing (with a new 160 degree thermostat) which we picked up from Sanel Auto Parts. They didn't have a new gasket available for the housing, so Katherin (my girlfriend) cut a new gasket out of cork using the old one as a guide. The alternator bracket was hooked on and alternator was added. After some head scratching about the alternator and coil wiring, I referred to a diagram I drew that I used to build a new voltage regulator for the truck. (Back in 2007 I had to have the alternator rebuilt, and we discovered the old voltage regulator was bad. The guys at Auto Electric in Brentwood, NH, who also rebuilt the alternator, were able to help me build a replacement from few different pieces.) After everything was hooked up properly, we put the pulleys on the water pump and the crankshaft. The twin V-belts were run, and the carburetor was put onto the manifold. A good battery charge was done as well!
We sprayed a little bit of starting fluid into the carb and closed the choke. After a bit of a crank, the engine sputtered! I sprayed a little more ether, but left the choke open.....and she backfired right out of the carb! There was quite a flame, but I didn't lose my eyebrows. After that lesson, we did it once more. After the engine caught, I forgot that I had the fuel lines connected, and fuel started coming up into the lower filter....I noticed it but figured it wouldn't make it to the second filter before the carb.....boy was I wrong! About 10 seconds after it hit the first filter before the fuel pump, the second filter was full! I told Katherin to shut the engine down as I wasn't ready to have her run on her own...it was simply a test to make sure the truck would even fire!
Tomorrow will be spent putting the radiator in, adding engine coolant, and getting the throttle and choke cables hooked back up. We also have to splice some of the wires back together as I had to cut a few so the engine could get (they ran just above the radiator). After that's done we can spend he rest of the afternoon adjusting the carb for the truck and letting her spend some time running. Maybe she will even sneak a ride onto the road for a test.......
More to follow tomorrow!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
FINALLY!!
Well the day has finally come.....Thurday, April 16th, 2009. The day the new engine will be put into the truck and fired up for the first time!
It only took me 1 1/2 years to get it done.....but now that the weather is good, and I'm not injured, it should be all set.
I went out Monday and checked the new engine...it was a little stuck, but nothing some oil in the cylinders and a little elbow grease couldn't fix....so it's at least rotating now. Changed out the intake manifold to the old engine's to get rid of all the emissions bullshit. Now I just have to get the two exhaust manifolds off (which requires cutting a bolt or two as the heads are rounded), get the wrecker on the old engine, take it out (removing the clutch, flywheel, and mounting bracket), plop the parts onto the new engine, and mate her to the tranny. Hopefully it goes without a problem. Hopefully.
It only took me 1 1/2 years to get it done.....but now that the weather is good, and I'm not injured, it should be all set.
I went out Monday and checked the new engine...it was a little stuck, but nothing some oil in the cylinders and a little elbow grease couldn't fix....so it's at least rotating now. Changed out the intake manifold to the old engine's to get rid of all the emissions bullshit. Now I just have to get the two exhaust manifolds off (which requires cutting a bolt or two as the heads are rounded), get the wrecker on the old engine, take it out (removing the clutch, flywheel, and mounting bracket), plop the parts onto the new engine, and mate her to the tranny. Hopefully it goes without a problem. Hopefully.
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