Ransomes MG5 Crawler

[Dieselman 63]

MG Problem

youtube.com

Another crap quality vid but will give a glimpse into what I’m struggling with. Everything should be fine. Proper annoying. I have no idea how to time it, either. Looks like I might have to pull the engine to do that as the mag is stuffed down the back, almost impossible to get at.

 

[angellonewolf]

you listed it as a private video

 

[Dieselman 63]

Have you done a compression test? That would rule out carb or ignition problems if it is low.
I've had spark plugs that worked fine one day then didn't the next! It could be that simple? Sorry if you've already tried this.

You win the magic star for pushing me to try another spark plug. Actually I tried a few different types, funny what you find lying about!

I was delighted as it ripped into life. I need to tidy up the garage now, it’s a bloody tip!

 

[Robotstar5]

Nice to see it running

These old engines can be a bit picky with which spark plugs they like it may be worth joining a couple of the stationary engine and old tractor groups as there is bound to be someone with a few plugs willing to help.

I keep an eye on the groups as Ebay etc. always seem to overvalue them, I pick up used or sometimes NOS for my engines as they seem to run better than on modern equivalents.

This is a NOS Champion 8 COM I found a while ago, you can even dismantle it for cleaning!

 

[dobbslc]

I was delighted as it ripped into life. I need to tidy up the garage now, it’s a bloody tip!

Yee haar!
Glad it's running.

 

[not done it yet]

Nice to see it running

These old engines can be a bit picky with which spark plugs they like it may be worth joining a couple of the stationary engine and old tractor groups as there is bound to be someone with a few plugs willing to help.

I keep an eye on the groups as Ebay etc. always seem to overvalue them, I pick up used or sometimes NOS for my engines as they seem to run better than on modern equivalents.

This is a NOS Champion 8 COM I found a while ago, you can even dismantle it for cleaning!

View attachment 298959

Back in the 1950s nearly all larger-format spark plugs were able to be taken apart for cleaning. Fordson Standard engines were not that good and often suffered from oiled spark plugs, particularly on light load while running on TVO.

 

[Dieselman 63]

I was delighted as it ripped into life. I need to tidy up the garage now, it’s a bloody tip!

Yee haar!
Glad it's running.

I shouted something similar as it ran for more than four cycles! Quickly jumped to release the choke, and open the throttle!!

 

[Dieselman 63]

Original oil seals are hard to come by, so I knocked this one out carefully and cleaned it. Lots of sludge removed. Refitted, it was time to make a new paper gasket which was sealed with hylomar on both sides, just enough to form a nice barrier.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Then I came up with this contraption to lift it off the stands. Crane lifts, motorbike jack under the front to steady it. Then, slide the stands out and lower it at both ends. Worked well. The track was attached, brake bands nipped up so I wouldn’t have to yank on them, and it there was just enough time to take it for a ride

 

[Migmac]

Nice to see it back running. Did you join the fb group? I apparently have been getting notifications a lot from the group.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Nice to see it back running. Did you join the fb group? I apparently have been getting notifications a lot from the group.

No, I can’t work out how to answer the questions. Honestly probably a good thing, time is best spent working on the tractor than browsing the internet.

 

[zeppelin builder]

We got from 300hp to over 1000

You are aware that this is it right? Magneto, carb, spark plug and exhaust. That’s all there is…

Mag wasn’t giving a spark. Took the cable off and got a better connection - now it is sparking. Will it start? Of course not. Reason? I don’t know.

View attachment 296304

is it timed ok

 

[Dieselman 63]

is it timed ok

Seems to be.

 

[dobbslc]

Slow down you maniac!

 

[Dieselman 63]

Slow down you maniac!

I took it to the AP&I show in January, which is 6km away. Someone asked if I’d driven it there, it goes about 2kmh flat out, the trip would have taken three hours!

 

[galooph]

I took it to the AP&I show in January, which is 6km away. Someone asked if I’d driven it there, it goes about 2kmh flat out, the trip would have taken three hours!

Have you seen The Straight Story? https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0166896/

 

[Dieselman 63]

Well, I have the lawn tractor and I have this tractor. It would be rude not to put it to work! I got this nice Spearwell spade the other day, I already have the mulch fork in the same range. I’m off digging out plants.

In other news… for a laugh, I decided to road-register the tractor. Cost $50, it’s WoF exempt, therefore does not need to abide by noise restrictions (handy as it’s quite loud) and it doesn’t have to pay and road user charges. All in all, a fun and successful day for me and the tractor! (Will have it’s own licence plate too, C6FEE - coffee, anyone?)

 

[Agroshield]

Then I came up with this contraption to lift it off the stands....

Where is the point of balance? Could you fabricobble something that goes into the blue bosses on the red sides for a single point of lift (with maybe a stabilising cord to the engine if it is front-heavy)?

 

[Dieselman 63]

Rose garden progress. I had to be careful as there were already roses in amongst the agapanthus. Any excuse to fire it up!

 

[selectedgrub]

Awesome.