[AJD] 35 D Runs Again!, but

[Gary Epps]

The 35 D runs again!  I got her back together and she started with the
flywheel.  I forgot that I had turned the fuel off after pulling the
flywheel over a few times, so she starved out after a couple of minutes.  Of
course I couldn't get to the fuel shut-off in time to keep her running.  The
second time she started at the end of a tow chain!  Sounded good, though the
tappets may be a little loose.

So much for the hopes of being "lightly stuck".  I was able to free up three
valves with PB Blaster, but the fourth had to be pressed out in a 12 ton
press.  The left piston was not inclined to move, so I went to  the wood
pile and found a nice round piece of firewood about 7" diameter after the
bark was peeled off, took it into the wood shop, put it on the lathe and
turned it to fit the cylinder, being careful to make the piston end convex
so the force would be on the edges of the piston over the skirt.  After
applying the BFH the piston began to move.  Oh, I had already removed the
rod cap.  I lightly honed the cylinders and began to put it back together.
I towed it up and down the drive way a couple of times with diesel fuel in
the crankcase and then filled her up with 15w40.

Now, to the "but".  I started it up with a dry radiator, drove it over to a
hydrant and filled her up with water.  While filling the radiator it died.
After filling it, it wouldn't start, I couldn't even turn it over!  I opened
the petcocks and put a little pressure on the flywheel and water spurted out
the left petcock about three feet in the air.  The cylinder had a LOT of
water in it.  It must have had a couple of cups anyway in it.  The right
cylinder had water in it as well.  I knew where the water came from, but
how?  I considered the head gasket, or an unknown freeze crack that I didn't
notice, but none of these would have filled the cylinders with water that
quickly.  Another possibility might be the water valve, but as I understand
the principle, it shouldn't siphon water unless the engine is working hard.
I haven't taken it off yet, but I intend to do so Monday, hopefully, and
plug the holes and see if it happens again.  What am I missing?  What could
put that much water in the cylinders that fast?  I perplexed.

Gary
garyepps at fidnet.com
In the Ozark Mountains of South Central USA where both life and I move at a
leisurely pace.