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

[Dave Rotigel]

Hi Spencer, Dallas should still be at: "Dallas Cox" <dcox at triad.rr.com>
         Dave

At 10:23 AM 4/27/2007, Curt wrote:
>Spencer,
>You need to meet Dallas Cox and his buddy Brose Easterly (sp?). They are
>in the High Point area. Dallas used to be on the SEL.
>They have several OF engines and can lend you a hand.
>Curt Holland
>Gastonia, NC
>
>Dave Rotigel wrote:
> > 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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> >>
> >
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> >
> >
>
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