[SEL] Ball Oilfield engine - Now what do I do with it?

[Peter Lowe]

Hi Spencer

Take one step at a time, we only wish we had the range of oil field engines 
you guys in the US have, so we are green with envy.

You know by now that you have many GOOD friends on both LISTS, use them 
individually and collectively to ask as many question as you wish.
Document all the acquired info into a folder about the Ball.
Check each individual sections of the engine and the engine as a whole, do 
not be in a hurry to get a fire in the hole until your sure everything is 
right.
Have a starting party with all your good friends and use that collective 
experience to make it work safely first time.

Just my $0.02 worth from Down Under.

Peter, Oz





> Good news:  I have one Ball oilfield engine on the ground, and it should
> run.
>
> Bad news:  I don't know how to make it run )-;
>
> Check out Dave's link to refer to the engine while looking at these
> questions:
>
> http://www.oldengine.org/members/rotigel/Spencers_Ball_Engine/index.html
>
> How do I hook fuel this thing up?   I presume it is a 2 cycle - similar
> to a Bessemer where the back end of the cylinder is the charge cylinder
> and then the power stroke charges the combustion chamber.  It is a hot
> tube ignition (though there is an eccentric for a magneto and spark plug
> on the base of the hot tube so I know it use to run on a mag at some
> time) and the hot tube is in good shape considering.  The hot tube is at
> least operational I feel.  The engine is 25HP.  It is solely controlled
> by a gate valve on the gas supply line  as best I can tell.
>
> I understand most folks use a 100 pound propane tank.  While testing the
> engine, can I use a 25 pound tank of propane though?
> Will I need an accumulator?
> Any safety tips or special adapters/fittings I need to know about?
> I have an oil tree and an oiler (Thanks Dave ad Brice - pay you back at
> Portland).  However, I need that little wick/screen that hangs from the
> bottom for the connecting rod cup to hit .  I need the cup for the
> connecting rod too.
> Any tips for checking this engine thoroughly?
> How do I actually spin it to start it?   I remember seeing some folks
> use the "bump in the wrong direction trick", but I didn't watch close
> enough to understand it.   I also would like to learn to start on air (I
> have air available here at the shop).  However, since I am a real man, I
> will hand start it the first time - at least until I get tired (-;
>
> So many questions, so little time.   As for what I have done so far:
> I have got it off the ground and off the flywheels.   I need to continue
> raising it and cribbing it so I can replace the skids.  I am working on
> locating some affordable oak skids.   I fortunately have a friend that
> runs a sawmill and I can usually get wood cheap or can do some log
> trading.  I am in the process of dropping off my pine logs as trading
> stock.  I'll let everyone know how many big pines it takes to buy a big
> oak.  I also have it tarp-ed as I believe the original paint is in good
> shape.  I'll need to clean it carefully to be sure, but everyone at the
> "rescue" believed only the paint on the flywheels and the head was
> shot.   The rest is intact but coated in grime and dirt.  I'll be
> carefully cleaning it over the next few months too, trying to retain as
> much of the original finish as possible.
>
> Thanks in advance for any help, advice and discussion!
>
> Spencer
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