Halftrack engine problems

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rjbeamer
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Re: Halftrack engine problems

Post by rjbeamer » Tue May 23, 2017 4:06 pm

I am not personalty knowledgeable on the correct procedure for adjusting the valves on the 160AX engine. However with a hyd. lifter if the valves are adjusted or set to tight the valves will not seal when the lifter pumps up "period". This should be sorted out prior to going any further in my opinion.

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Re: Halftrack engine problems

Post by autocar925 » Wed May 24, 2017 7:58 am

The compression is at the top of the specs-as good as any engine would ever get, so that is not the problem. I would suspect that when the valve job was done, the shop sank the valves into the block too far. This would remove the valve lash if they didn't shorten the valve stems to account for the deeper seating. The other possibility mentioned earlier is that the lifters are "pumping up" which means that when the engine is running, the engine oil pressure is causing the lifters to apply too much force to the valves and lifts them off their seats. There is a check valve that can stick and not let the pressure in the lifter bleed down so it holds the valve open. Since the shop rebuilt the lifters, there could be a problem with the rebuild.

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Re: Halftrack engine problems

Post by emptyhead2 » Wed May 24, 2017 11:57 am

Thanks guys for all the feed back just have to do one more test then he can drag himself up here and fix it

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Re: Halftrack engine problems

Post by tankmanmarc » Thu May 25, 2017 9:22 am

your engine is cam time,spark time or or firing order is not right.check your distributor rotation first.Valve lash will not make a engine not run unless you are holding a valve open or not opening a valve.valve lash is for heat expansion and lubrication only.Adusted to tight will not let a valve seat proper,to loose will damage valve stem ,possibly break valve and be noisey.your compression test seems to show all is fine.On all straight sixes the firing order is 1 5 3 6 2 4. To check your crank and cam timing, 1 and 6 are at the same crankshaft position,2 and 5 are at the same crankshaft position and 3 and 4 are at the same crankshaft position.That means when #1 is on tdc # 6 is also at full as high in cylinder as possible.When rotating the engine in the proper direction both valves on # 1 will remain closed (power stroke) ,however #6 will open its intake valve ,and intake will remain open until #6 hits bdc.

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Re: Halftrack engine problems

Post by emptyhead2 » Sun May 28, 2017 12:34 pm

Here is what the first three cylinders look like
Image
And the last three that are not firing
Image
Last cylinder got chopped off but it looks clean like 4and5

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Re: Halftrack engine problems

Post by G102 » Mon May 29, 2017 8:21 am

If the engine were 1 tooth off, would it even run?

This is a interesting problem. I sure would love to have this one within my reach to see everything first hand.
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Re: Halftrack engine problems

Post by 8683jb » Mon May 29, 2017 10:13 am

If you've wrung out the spark, ignition timing, valve lash, valve timing and compression, all that's left is fuel. Could it be that 4,5 and 6 are firing but there's nothing to ignite? Are these a dual-plane intake manifold? If they are and the manifold is clear, could the carburetor be the problem?
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emptyhead2
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Re: Halftrack engine problems

Post by emptyhead2 » Tue May 30, 2017 11:47 am

I thought that too at first pulled the manifolds off nothing blocking. That side of the carb isn't feeding as good as the other side but it goes back to why do I have crappy compression on those cylinder after it's running.

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Re: Halftrack engine problems

Post by 8683jb » Tue May 30, 2017 1:12 pm

I guess I lost track of the compression - I thought the numbers were all good. If the numbers are bad after the engine is warm, a leak-down tester would help you to know where it's leaking so you can zero in on the cause. On the low cylinders, listen to intake, exhaust and breather.
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Warren Duchesne
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Re: Halftrack engine problems

Post by Warren Duchesne » Tue May 30, 2017 7:37 pm

A running compression test is great for testing valve seating problems ' the test should be ran with the check valve removed from the compression gauge . The readings will not be near as high as a cranking compression test and should not vary by more than several PSI . At my auto repair shop we have had vehicles with good cranking compression but a cylinder with running compression that was as little as 4 PSI lower and when torn down for inspection found valve seating problems . Warren Duchesne

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Re: Halftrack engine problems

Post by Old Dodge Guy » Tue Jun 06, 2017 6:00 pm

Any new news? Wondering how the trouble shooting is going?
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Re: Halftrack engine problems

Post by emptyhead2 » Sun Jun 11, 2017 12:29 pm

Took a back seat for a bit.im leaning toward that set of valves. Engine builder said he would work on it but would need to go back to his shop.would have to rig a gantry outside the garage to pull it. Steep driveway. Will keep you guys updated

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Re: Halftrack engine problems

Post by Warren Duchesne » Sun Jun 11, 2017 12:50 pm

I would not pull that engine with that good of cranking compression.More test needed , possible lifter problems . The valves on the missing cylinders may be pumping up and holding the valves off the seat . Warren Duchesne

emptyhead2
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Re: Halftrack engine problems

Post by emptyhead2 » Mon Jun 12, 2017 2:46 pm

I'm pretty sure it's the valve/ lifters. Don't think he ground enoug off of the valve stem.

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Re: Halftrack engine problems

Post by Old Dodge Guy » Sat Sep 09, 2017 7:09 pm

Thought I'd bump this back up. Have you had any luck with the problem? It is an interesting problem and I was curious if you got it fixed.
Still crazy after all these years.
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