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Billy NY
01-08-2004 17:49:08
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Re: Re: Changing from pony to electric start in reply to Alvin n Ms., 01-08-2004 06:25:10
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I think Alvin covered it, I agree with keeping the pony for the benefits listed above. I have seen a lot of people switching on the ACMOC site lately, which I would assume should make some more parts available etc. They are low tech. old school little gas engines, but if kept in good working order, I don't think an electric starter can compare in cold weather, especially when considering what it takes to start the motor on my D-7 in 10-20 deg F weather, I've never fooled with it below 10 F. No ether, just spin it in low gear, ( 2 speed transmission is a big help ) then turn the compression on, to warm the cylinders, let it spin long enough to warm the coolant, get oil prssure, then switch to high gear, compression & fuel on, fires immediately, everytime, so far down to 10 deg F. What is hard to understand is how an electric starter could possibly work on say a D-8800 4 Cyl engine in a D7, when its bitter cold, you'd fry the starter ( I would think ) from turning it over so long, or so many times intermittently, and your batteries would defintitely weaken quickly. In warmer weather, probably perform OK, but it's hard to imagine much success in bitter cold, with these old class of engines. Obviously as time progressed, things have changed but being able to prep the big motor like the pony set up allows you to do, must help in the longevity dept. significantly. In warm weather the direct start probably works OK on a motor in decent shape, but to be able to spin that diesel, get the fluids moving and warm, oil pressure up, before turning on the compression lever and fuel is a big advantage for these old tech. diesels. I think thats why quite a few are still around. I read somewhere, maybe here, where someone did the conversion and did not like the way it functioned, so they put the pony back on ! Probably in a cold climate, but what's right for some is not right for all, so each to their own, ( read a lot of discussions on the subject, great to hear both sides no matter what the topic ) Always watch for gas thinning the oil, drain your carb as soon as it's shut down, I put a petcock and hose where the drain plug hole is on the bowl on the D7, much faster than waiting for it to run out of gas and you know the bowl is empty, don't let the main overspeed the little guy, keep the oil clean & changed in them, use solid wire core plug wires, correct plugs, keep your mag in good shape, and your sediment bowl clean. They are reliable, just more work to maintain in good running order, IMHO.
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