Clarkair CA-1 Discussion Board

Most of my progress on the rebuild is posted in various locations. I will try and post a general progress report when I have some forward momentum. Her's the first post for now:

Made a little progress today. I installed the missing manifold studs and bolted on the manifold and gaskets. I put the fan belt on. That was an absolute nightmare trying to do it with the radiator on. There is barely enough room between the lower engine pulley and the skid plate below it to wedge the fan on. I had to install the generator/fan belt tension bracket after removing the old non standard bracket. Getting the belt on all 3 pulleys while trying to install the generator took some maneuvering with 2 hands, but I finally got it. Added the coil and called it a day. I'll save some fun for tomorrow. Mind you I'm only doing this to get it started before I move. The suspense is driving me crazy!

Partial success. I have the starter turning. Late this afternoon I connected the wiring harness, installed the rebuilt starter and battery and she turns over fine. With the ignition on I get a real faint spark at each plug. I gave it a shot and got a few chugs about every fourth cylinder or so. I need to fix my temporary fuel supply so I can get this thing running tomorrow. I will get some video and post by the end of Sat. Wish me luck, its real close now.

No luck...yet. I posted a 5-second video on YouTube showing the starter working, but no fire.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC7fh27p ... e=youtu.be

I advanced the timing mark to where it was visible through the inspection port. I then moved my distributor so that the rotor was facing the No. 1 wire. I tightened the distributor down, installed the cap, verified the correct wires were on the correct plug, 1 in front, 2,3,4 to the rear. Still no fire. The manual stated you must remove the 1 plug and advance until you sense compression, then set the flywheel to where the mark is visible. Since I had the mark already visible in the port I "assumed" I did not need to check for TDC on No. 1 feeling for compression. Is that correct or not?

Latest test today.

1. Rotated the No. 1 Cylinder until I felt compression
2. I hand rotated the flywheel slightly until the timing mark was visible
3. Reset the distributor so that the rotor was facing the No1 wire
4. Hooked everything back up
5. Tested each spark plug by removing it, grounding on the block and looking for spark across the gap; 4 good fires!
6. Checked air and fuel
7. Cranked

On the best attempt I get two chugs, two rotations, two chugs, two rotations etc. It sounds like only 2 cyls are firing. Could I have a stuck valve?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubj1NdbF ... e=youtu.be

Sorry I've been off the net lately. I am starting to pack up for the move to New Mexico. Today was: "pack the garage" day. I am going down to hahira GA to pick up a complete CA-1 that is in parts and drop stuff off in TX for Alex. On the way I am going to OK to pick up my other Clark that I have not laid eyes on yet. At one point I will have 3 CA-1s on my trailer. I'll get some photos of the progress.

Found an FC 182 engine for spare parts that is about 95% common with the 151. It has a magneto instead of distributor, but many other parts look identical. Since it is also 3 1/4" x 4" it has the same 133ci displacement as the 151. I will haul it to NM and see what I need for the restoration of the two CA-1s that i hope to get running. The rest of the parts can go to other FC owners. it will be several months before I know what I need, but I will post a list of what's available when I get to that point. Perhaps we can do some trading.

Phase I: Move to New Mexico....Dozer number 1 loaded up.

Phase II: Move to New Mexico...Dozer Number 2 in parts loaded up along with the extra Waukesha engine. You might now see them, but there are chains and ratchet binders holding down the heavy stuff. The load is secure. On Sunday we'll be on the road to OK to pick up Number 3!! No 3 will go between the parts and No 1 blade to blade. There's just enough room.

Phase III Complete: Loaded the last CA-1 from OK and drove to NM where the 3 now sit. One more trip to GA and I will be back for good.

Here are a few shots of No. 3 I'm still doing a lot of driving to finish the move. When I return, get settled and start the house construction I'll have a bit more time to begin tearing it down and start some more posts.







(original registration number still visible)