JD E stationary engine

[ahiggins1]

My dad has a JD E stationary engine that he has had for years - used to run it on a pump jack. It has been sitting for years in the shed and he says it has no fire. What would be the first thing to check? I have never messed with one of these engines. Are there points in the mag that could need replacing?

 

[38Gpuller]

Different versions of the E engine were made. Does it have a spark plug? If not there is a head on the trip igniter with contact points inside that open and it fires the fuel charge inside the head there when points open. See if any spark at all off the mag when turning it over holding the wire by a ground 1/8 to 1/4". If you got fire there it"s probably in the ignitor assembly could be shorted out needed new mica washers and teflon liner and contacts or new shaft if worn or maybe if lucky just a good cleaning. Vendor sponsors over at smokstak.com like Hit and Miss, Starbolts, Pederson and others will have manuals and parts for it. Those engines need good compression and good fuel check valve to get enough fuel charge to fire and run right also.

 

[ahiggins1]

It has no spark plug, so I will do some checking and cleaning on it and see what happens. It is in Missouri and I am in Indiana, but I am going to bring it home with me this weekend.
I may have more questions when I get it home.
Thanks,
Andy

 

[Duane Larson]

Andy,
The first thing I would check is to try and push the exhaust valve in and make sure it comes out. It is the valve sticking out of the head which is operated by a cast-iron arm. If the valve is stuck the arm can be broken when the engine is rotated. If it seems loose, gently rotate the flywheels - if they don't easily spin, stop as the magneto armature may be stuck and you can damage it by forcing the flywheels. Magnetos are available but around $300 or more. Gaskets, magneto parts, fuel tanks, separator plates (which go between the engine and gas tank and keep the engine oil out of the gas tank), fuel lines, check valves, etc. are readily available.

A good magneto will put out about 15-20 volts AC at best - the current/voltage pattern is not sinusoidal so voltmeters are not always accurate. If the engine is loose and can be easily turned over (hold the intake valve in so there is no compression) file a small notch somewhere on the engine and hold the file against the engine body in the notch to get a good ground. Then as you spin the engine over scratch the wire from the magneto along the file and you should see sparks - these are low tension magnetos and won't provide a spark which jumps a gap in free air. If there is no spark the magneto will likely have to be removed. If there is weak spark you might get by with having the magnets recharged - remove the strap holding the magnet in place and carefully pull it off - it may come off hard but it will come off. Place a piece or two of steel bar across the magnet faces to act as a keeper, and hold them in place with a large hose clamp or a couple pieces of wire around the magnet - then whoever recharges the magnet will replace the keepers and when you are ready to replace the magnet carefully remove the keepers as you place the magnet in place.

If you remove the magneto, be sure and notice that the bolts are of different length - and replace them properly or you can strip out the threads in the pot metal magneto base.

Good luck - they are fun engines but be expecting them to leak oil.

 

[ahiggins1]

Thanks Duane,
I will give this a try.
Andy

 

[aggie jon]

Anyone around Texas have one of these engines they would be willing to sell? I have an old John Deere hammermill that i would love to set up to use an old stationary engine w/