Engine uncrating

The engines are nicely packed in a plywood box and reinforced with angle steel on the sides and top for added strength.  In order to get the box open, first undo the metal strapping and clear it out of the way.  Next, pry up the angle steel (it is not fastened at the bottom of the box) and lift it clear in one piece.  Then remove the 8 metal corner tabs.

If you can, get a pry bar down past the top of the box and pry the top off.  This may not be possible and you may have to cut the sides away to gain entry.  Remove the top and sides and clear them out of the way. 

The engine should be fastened to the bottom of the box by 4 bolts, leave these in place for now.  Remove the tool kit and the remainder of the engines parts – exhaust, air cleaner etc. so that everything is clear.

Next – on to first smoke!

A small interruption…

I did say “next thing first smoke” but there is one further step to complete prior to firing up. 

Wiring. 

The engine comes with all the component parts but no wire, so you will need to provide that yourself.  The wiring itself is fairly simple, just follow the diagram contained in the box.  In this example and for display purposes only, I have attached the orange box containing the start switch and ammeter to the engine itself – likely it will be better to remote mount the box.

O.K., now we have that out of the way, let’s get on to first smoke!

First smoke day….

The sump on these engines takes about 3.5 litres of oil – I am using 30 weight non-detergent for the first little while.  The oil will be changed at 10 hours, 25 hours, 100 hours and after that every 250 hours.  Before attempting to start I turned the engine over by hand a few times to flush oil through the system.

For cooling in this case I merely attached a short length of hose, filled it with water and looped it back to the upper water port on the engine block.  Enough water for a short initial run.

A few ounces of diesel in the tank, a bit of fuel line bleeding and the engine is ready to start.

For a battery I used jumper cables attached to my trusty fork lift.

First, turn the speed control screw to about the mid-way point.  Engage the compression release lever and turn the key to the start position.  When the engine is spinning smartly, release the compression release lever and the engine fires right up, here is the video.

Any questions, please email me john@woodnstuff.ca.

Next project is to make a frame and belt up a generator – don’t know whether that will be direct drive or belt driven yet.

What's in the Box