Could this be why we are mechanical nuts


Back in the day....

Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee

Posts: 5171

Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2012 9:28 pm

Location: Lyman, IA

Post Wed Oct 23, 2013 9:51 am

Re: Could this be why we are mechanical nuts

I'll never tell :lol:

Site Admin
Site Admin

Posts: 4938

Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2012 9:10 am

Location: Nampa, Idaho

Post Fri Oct 25, 2013 12:05 pm

Re: Could this be why we are mechanical nuts

You Guys are Hilarious! Used either on the tractors at the Farm during the winter. Know all about the Wankel and either. Definitely Fun stuff. Ever seen a "back fire" through the carbs of a Wankel? :o

Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee

Posts: 8937

Joined: Thu Dec 27, 2012 12:45 pm

Location: Canada's left Coast

Post Wed Oct 30, 2013 10:40 pm

Re: Could this be why we are mechanical nuts

During the years when the company had the Green Leakers, ether was part of every mechanics tool kit. It was what was needed on a cold morning to help light the internal fire in the Two Stroke Jokes. Ether self ignites at 160C and sprayed Diesel ignites at 210C. On a cold day it was sometimes difficult to get a engine to turn quickly enough to overcome the parasitic loss of compression ignition heat to the cold cylinders. Ether was not always the solution, but it worked most of the time because of the 50C advantage it gave.
I do not believe that an engine will develop an ether habit as is often suggested. What might be thought of as "The Habit" may be damaged compression rings from too much ether loading and the violent out of time igniting.
It is strongly advised to refrain from using ether as a starting aid on an engine equipped with a charge air heater. A timed charge air heater rapidly exceeds the 160C flash point of ether and a serious explosion will take place in the air intake system. The company posted the caution of ether and the heaters due to the cover of a DONALDSON air filter canister being blown off.
I used ether to start our 6.9 idi Diesel, in our R120, almost every day, summer and winter, if it was the first start of the day. In warmer weather the engine could hold enough heat to restart after several hours of sitting, but as the temperature dropped so did the chances of starting the 6.9 and a little ether had to be introduced. I drilled a one inch hole in the air cleaner housing snout where the flex hose was connected. The ether had a reasonable chance to mix and hit the cylinders somewhat diluted. There was always a short rattle at start-up then the 6.9 settled down to a smooth idle and slowly but surely tried to empty the contents of the crankcase onto the road. The poorly designed dual bi-metal switch for the glow plugs control system always failed and after more than 10 seconds the glow plugs burned out. Ford warranted the timer and plugs once then I was on my own. I bought one set and then used ether for the next 225,000 miles.
I have never seen a Detroit run very much differently with propane in the air intake. The suggestion was made and, of course, I had to give it a try by putting a hand-held propane torch into the air intake. The 6V Silver 92 engine may have increased by a hundred rpm for a few seconds then DDEC changed the fueling and the rpm returned to the programed limit. The mechanical injection system that predated the DDEC took a few seconds longer to respond and reduce the rpm. I was close by when an oil well that was being drilled on our farm finally hit the intended target. There was a burst of sour gas and dirt then in a few seconds the 12V71 engines that powered the rig went wild on the heavy concentration of combustible gas. The serious over-speed only lasted for a few seconds then the air intake doors, in the intake circuits slammed shut and smothered the engines. Dad and I ran for our lives. It was the sour gas that sent us running. H2S or hydrogen sulfide is deadly and anything more than 4 parts per million will probably kill the person who inhales any of it.
It should be noted that a serious explosion must start in an enclosed area where pressure can build and enhance the speed and intensity of the flame front. Gun powder, in a pile will sputter and burn slowly and give off lots of smoke. The same applies to many combustibles like Diesel, gasoline and ether. Specialised explosives are the exception to this. A good example is Primacord which burns at 23,000 feet per second. (15,680 miles per hour) I have seen it used for forming a trench across an open field. The cord was laid into the earth by a CAT with a single plow, the cord was fed off of a spool on the back of the CAT.
I would rather have tools I do not need than to need tools I do not have
Thinking risks being controversial and possibly being offensive
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