[SEL] Friends and Igniters

[Judge Tommy Turner]

Curt,

    Many of the old time engine manuals state to use coal oil to 
lubricate ignitors as motor oil will cause them to have build up and 
stick.  I usually use WD 40 or something similar.  It being a thin oil 
helps keep it from being so "gummy". 

Tommy Turner
Magnolia, KY



Curt Holland wrote:

> Welcome to this eccentric list Joe and thanks for the advice on ignitors.
> I've got a question along the same lines concerning an ignitor on a 
> Stickney.
> A Stickney ignitor has a sliding electrode instead of a rotating 
> electrode. Every single time I start to run my Stickney I have to 
> remove the ignitor and with great effort remove the stuck moving 
> electrode from the brass body it lives in. It is never rusty, but 
> rather it is carboned up to the point that it sticks tight if left 
> overnight.
> Removing and cleaning the ignitor is just part of my starting 
> procedure now, but it sure would be nice to eliminate this step!
> The ignitor is in great shape with nice close tolerances and 
> everything glides nicely when clean.
> Should I be using a special oil to prevent the carbon build up? I've 
> tried plain motor oil and 10wt. oil.
> Any suggestions?
> Curt Holland
> Gastonia, NC
>
> Joe & Jewel Maurer wrote:
>
>> Hi Folks,
>>
>> I'm new to the list so I'm not sure if I'm doing this right but here 
>> goes.
>> Met a bunch of new SEL friends at Baraboo and Portland.  Dave and Arnie,
>> Steve and Mel and Pete to name just a few.  Enjoyed the Thursday night
>> banquet and the good company.  I think a few of you are a little 
>> eccentric
>> but then who isn't?
>>
>> Robert Bransen taught me a very valuable tip about igniters.  Carbon 
>> builds
>> up on the moveable electrode and causes the shaft to drag.  You can 
>> trip it
>> by hand or put a meter on it and it will act normal.  However, it 
>> doesn't
>> take much drag to cause the engine to stop.  Try cleaning the shaft with
>> carb cleaner and keep it well oiled.  This helps about 80% of igniter
>> troubles when the igniter is in good condition.
>>
>>  
>>
>
>
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