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

[Dave Rotigel]

Hi Spencer,
         Let's take this One step at a time. First, how much compression do 
you have? Try to pull it through and see if you can. If it's pretty easy, 
but you can tell that there is a bit of compression, then oil the hell out 
of the rings and try it again. Let us know what happens in this first step.
         Dave

At 08:51 PM 4/26/2007, Spencer Yost wrote:
>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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