Oliver 77 row crop

rbuckel · Dec 10, 2008

I am preparing to try to start a 77 RC that has been setting in a barn for about 20 years. Gas tank is clean, sediment bowl and carb. are varnished up really bad. I am replacing sediment bowl and rebuilding carb. Engine will turn, but is extremely tight! After being parked I believe the gas drained from the tank, through the sediment bowl, through the carb, into the cylinders. I have poured "sea foam" into the cylinders to loosen up. Any other suggestions?
Thanks

John B. · Dec 10, 2008

First pull the oil drain plug on the engine and change the oil. Water has a tendency to accumalate over a period of time. And if any antifreeze has gotten in there that would be coslty if run with that in there.

Remove the valve cover and turn the engine over slowly and watch your valves to make sure they operate they way they're suppose to. Oil them up good so you don't bend a push rod if a valve is stuck.

I would hook up a small seperate gas tank that you know is clean.

I'm sure any roller bearing in the engine and transmission will need to be replaced due to the fact of sitting that long and not having any oil over them. They may last for a while but my experience is to replace them.

Good luck!

old · Dec 10, 2008

Sea foam is ok in an engine that runs but for what you have ATF is far batter because it lubes and also cleans up the rust that is in the cylinders. Also after that long a time you need to change the oil but I would wait on the oil till you have fill the cylinders with ATF and let sit a few days. BTDT and that is how I buy most of my tractors. I love to bring them back to life and have done so with many old tractors
Hobby farm

Mike (WA) · Dec 11, 2008

The suggestions below are good. After doing all that, and making sure nothing is hanging up (like a valve or other bendable part), take the plugs out and turn the engine over for awhile, to get the oil flowing through the engine, bearings, valve train, etc. Do it until the oil gauge shows pressure. Everythng is dry after 20 years, and you can do an amazing amount of damage by starting a dry engine withoug pre-lubing everything.

fixerupper · Dec 11, 2008

Another valve related idea is to tap lightly on the rocker arms right above the valve with a smaller hammer. This will pop the valve down just a little bit. If it stays down you'll have to get out your favorite penetrating oil. If you have to pry the valve back up be very careful not to put any side pressure on the valve stem cause they bend real easy and just a very slight bend will make it stick worse. BTDT. Jim

rbuckel · Dec 11, 2008

Thanks to everyone.

Brian Jasper co. Ia · Dec 12, 2008

Sea Foam is alcohol. No lubrication in that. Do like old says and use something like ATF for lubrication. Get it turning easily with the plugs out. I would strongly advise prelubing the engine having set that long. A pressure tank would be best, but turning the engine with the starter until oil pressure comes up is better than nothing.

Oliver 77 row crop

rbuckel

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John B.

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old

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Mike (WA)

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fixerupper

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rbuckel

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Brian Jasper co. Ia

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