Continental Flathead 4-cyl / Kohler Generator

chessie4905 · July 04, 2019, 06:14:09 PM

Rotten smelling black and blue smoke. But that will tell you nothing about sludge, wear in cylinder bore, bearing or cam condition, or whether it is due a valve job. Trying to start an old engine like that that has been sitting for so long will just add more score marks to bearings and crank. Rusted dry camshaft lobes, etc.

windtrader · July 04, 2019, 06:47:34 PM

Common sense seems to dictate figuring out the metal contacting before firing it up as that certainly is not going to help.

richard5933 · July 04, 2019, 07:00:07 PM

Quote from: windtrader on July 04, 2019, 06:47:34 PM
Common sense seems to dictate figuring out the metal contacting before firing it up as that certainly is not going to help.

Yup - no way to try to fire it till that's figured out. Can't even get it to turn over a full rotation right now. It did turn over when I first got it, so this is confusing. I've done nothing that should have caused this, as I even blew all the crud from around the spark plugs before I pulled them. Almost seems like something gave way inside the engine, but that seems unlikely. Confusing...

buswarrior · July 04, 2019, 08:15:21 PM

Broken parts that held in place... time passes, engine dries out... you mess with it...

Broken bits finally separate and obstruct.

It wasn't running when you got it... reason for non-running will end up being your broken bits when you find them.

Gary better being sending you a Christmas card for all this Google ad revenue!

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

chessie4905 · July 05, 2019, 04:23:40 AM

🙄

chessie4905 · July 05, 2019, 05:15:43 AM

Google: Continental f head engine information
Wiki general info, plus there is a pdf of an engine manual at another site on same page.

DoubleEagle · July 05, 2019, 06:18:41 AM

You can get a loaner borescope from places like Autozone. They require a deposit, then you get it all back when you return it. It would cost nothing to peek inside.

chessie4905 · July 05, 2019, 06:26:50 AM

If you are afraid to pull the head, you can buy a borescope from Harbor Freight that works well. I've used mine a couple times already in the three years I've had it and is is a handy tool to have. Discount coupons now may make it cheaper.

https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=inspection%20camera

richard5933 · July 05, 2019, 07:36:15 AM

I've got a scope which works in conjunction with my smartphone - I've used it lots in the past to explore hidden spaces in the bus. Great help to inspect plumbing behind walls, etc. First time I used it was to figure out what was wrong with my neutral start safety switches, and have had lots of chances to use it since then.

When I looked into the spark plug holes this morning, all I can see are the valve faces. Apparently there is not a straight shot from the plug holes to the cylinders in this engine, so off comes the head. With this configuration, it wouldn't take much to have a broken plug part sitting on the ledge near the valves for years, until I came along and tilted the engine sideways on the engine stand to install the fuel pump. Whatever was laying loose on the ledge would then be on top of the piston. We'll see soon.

If that doesn't uncover any obvious problems, I'll probably pull the cover on the crank gears next. Would not take much in there to block the works since there is no much extra space around the gears.

luvrbus · July 05, 2019, 08:06:49 AM

Is it a magneto type firing or points

richard5933 · July 05, 2019, 08:07:21 AM

Quote from: luvrbus on July 05, 2019, 08:06:49 AM
Is it a magneto type firing or points

Distributor

luvrbus · July 05, 2019, 11:11:05 AM

Not knowing where you been working on what parts could you have a bolt to long in the wrong place

richard5933 · August 11, 2020, 02:18:13 PM

Finally got around to checking into this project further. Pulled the head today and found why the engine can't be cranked all the way over...

Enough debris on top of the cylinders and valves to cause about 3/8" of blockage. Some of the carbon had turned into little pieces of diamond wannabees. All in all, guess it could have been much worse.

Once I get the top end cleaned up the only obstacle left is getting the flywheel pulled so I can install a ring gear on it and then install a starter. Got the bolts all out, but the flywheel doesn't seem inclined to come free.

Not sure how hard one has to smack the flywheel with a sledge to break it free...

luvrbus · August 11, 2020, 03:55:41 PM

Those are tough little engines the Lincoln 200 amp Pipe line welder used those for years hand crank too,we would spray water in the carb every month or so to keep the carbon build up out.When you walked by one with a lot of blow by coming from the crank case you sprayed water in the carb for few minutes because the carbon build up would increase the compression ratio and they would get nasty lol water was free back then

usbusin · August 11, 2020, 04:10:31 PM

Back in the 50"s they would "de-coke" aircraft engines with ground up walnut shells. Rotated the engine so both the intake and exhaust valves were open, then blasted the walnut shells through. Did a great job of de-coking the engine. The leaded gasoline sure created lots of carbon buildup on the valves! With the gasoline additives we have now we don't have that problem.