Need help starting a tank engine
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Re: Need help starting a tank engine
The first thing Jim should have done when he bought the tank was to find a certified radial engine mechanic to Take care of it. Thats too big of an investment to let anyone else work on no matter how good the intentions are. Radials dont operate like regular engines, they are very easy to destroy by untrained operators or mechanics. The C-4 engine is almost at the point of being irreplaceable.
- W. Winget
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Re: Need help starting a tank engine
SHuuuuuuh! Don't tell that to LuLuBelle ( Sgt Joe Gunn)
Or the 'Flight of the Phoenix' for that matter (and BG Stewart knew about radials and jets)
Only significant thing I would say are ensuring there is no hydrostatic lock from oil draining into a the bottom cylinders,(Checking, then manually turning for 40 cranks from memory for lube) a good ground switch for the magnetos (to shut it down....) Fire watch during startup in case fuel comes out drips and ignites, and once started, cooling vents open to ensure she doesn't overheat. But I read a lot, (TMs) so nothing like that scares me off from working on anything.
V/R W Winget Sgt. Joe Gunn : [Speaking about his tank's engine that won't start] Well, you don't feed her enough. It's like a dame. You don't feed 'em they won't do nothin'. Pratt & Whitney R-1340 nine-cylinder radial engine
Or the 'Flight of the Phoenix' for that matter (and BG Stewart knew about radials and jets)
Only significant thing I would say are ensuring there is no hydrostatic lock from oil draining into a the bottom cylinders,(Checking, then manually turning for 40 cranks from memory for lube) a good ground switch for the magnetos (to shut it down....) Fire watch during startup in case fuel comes out drips and ignites, and once started, cooling vents open to ensure she doesn't overheat. But I read a lot, (TMs) so nothing like that scares me off from working on anything.
V/R W Winget Sgt. Joe Gunn : [Speaking about his tank's engine that won't start] Well, you don't feed her enough. It's like a dame. You don't feed 'em they won't do nothin'. Pratt & Whitney R-1340 nine-cylinder radial engine
Looking for 1918 Standard B 'Liberty' truck parts
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- Sergeant Major of the Gee
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Re: Need help starting a tank engine
i've (un)fortunately have had direct experience with destruction and rebuilding of these engines, sadly, more than once.jesse wrote: ↑Thu Aug 29, 2019 2:02 pmThe first thing Jim should have done when he bought the tank was to find a certified radial engine mechanic to Take care of it. Thats too big of an investment to let anyone else work on no matter how good the intentions are. Radials dont operate like regular engines, they are very easy to destroy by untrained operators or mechanics. The C-4 engine is almost at the point of being irreplaceable.
and the problem with bringing the tank to a certified radial engine mechanic is that there are about 2 and a half certified radial engine mechanics in the country that work on R975 engines, and at least one of them is a crook.
yes, the engines don't run like regular engines, but generally the rules are pretty simple: don't run them low on oil and don't run them with oil and/or liquid fuel in the cylinders.
unless there is internal damage to the engine, it's really just a matter of tinkering with it and referencing the TM manuals and they aren't that difficult to get going. they are, after all, 1940s technology, which is remarkably simple stuff (often times very clever, but simple.)
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Re: Need help starting a tank engine
We own and operate a M4A1 at Planes of Fame museum in southern ca. i have vast experience with the 975 and can probably answer most any question you have. You can reach me at 909-578-9593
42 MB
43 t-24 weasel
44 Converto
M4A1 Sherman Commander/driver
M3A3 Stuart Commander/driver
43 t-24 weasel
44 Converto
M4A1 Sherman Commander/driver
M3A3 Stuart Commander/driver
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Re: Need help starting a tank engine
Consulted with him via PM and phone and he's got it done....
---M18 owner
---M18 owner
reenacting and WWII history
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- Sergeant Major of the Gee
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Re: Need help starting a tank engine
good news dan!
want to share what the fix was?
want to share what the fix was?
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Re: Need help starting a tank engine
said he rebuilt the carb and checked the magneto shorting wires and found issues. Didn't give me a blow-by-blow but just made those statements....
reenacting and WWII history
- W. Winget
- LTC, U.S. Army
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Re: Need help starting a tank engine
Funny, sounds like the post I made earlier....
"Basic understanding of Magnetos: They are always hot, the ground is what keeps them from sparking"
Oh well some just ask and never give feedback, nature of the internet.
V/R W Winget
"Basic understanding of Magnetos: They are always hot, the ground is what keeps them from sparking"
Oh well some just ask and never give feedback, nature of the internet.
V/R W Winget
Looking for 1918 Standard B 'Liberty' truck parts
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