Just joined the club

[carlb23]

Please excuse me if these questions seem stupid but I am new to this and I want to do it the right way the first time.  This gen set will be used for backup only since I am grid tied.
While I have never worked on diesels before I have over 20 years working on high performance V8 gas engines.

 I ordered a 6/1 Metro with a 4kWh head and readout from Sam Crosby (seems like a very nice and helpful guy) up in Maine on Tuesday and it is scheduled for delivery tomorrow.  I have been reading posts here for some time now and I was looking for opinions as to weather I should take it apart before even starting it or should I start it to see how well balanced it is first. 

If I take it apart should I completely strip it down and remove the crank and flywheels (this seems to be a real pain) or just pull the head, piston, rod, gears and IP and clean an paint the internals with Glyptal ?

Is there any way to check the balance of the Crank/Flywheel assembly without removing them from the engine?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Carl

[carlb23]

sorry for the triple post but when i went to post it i received a message that my message could not be posted because the server could not be found.  I tried to delete the duplicates but the server won't let me.  If anyone knows how i can delete these duplicates please let me know. 

Sorry again

Carl.

[rcavictim]

I have over 20 years working on high performance V8 gas engines.

Carl

Welcome Carl.

Seeing as there  is no such thing as a `high performance gasoline engine`,  I suspect you meant to say ` high output, higher fuel consumption V8 gasoline engines`.   

There is a box to the top right that allows you to delete your posts.

I don`t think it is necessary to remove flywheels and crankshaft but it definitely  is adviseable to inspect the sump for sand and the underside of the piston.  Pulling the lower rod bearing cap to isnpect the bearing and rod journal for sand/damage is also a good idea IMO.  Let what you see during these inspection steps guide your further course of engine preparation.  Good luck.

[hotater]

carl---

Welcome--

It's really up to you how far and how detailed you want to get with your engine.  All of them will run just like they are.  THe difference is in how long they will stay running if detailed completely.

AT THE LEAST-- Remove the head, cylinder and piston and camshaft.   Grit and grinding residue is commonly found inside the right cam bushing and in the bottom of the piston/wristpin area.

The top bearing shell will tell you if the engine has a lot of grit or not.  Scrape any grit out of the shell with a razor blade and reinstall, if it does.

Don't assume ANYthing about the engine is 'right'.  If there were a way to install the piston upside down I'm sure the Indians would get at least half of them wrong.

Understand cam/valve and fuel pump timing and bleeding of the fuel system.  Those things, more than any other, determine if the engine cranks on the first try or not.   That means if it doesn't fire and run on the first try the probability is about 9 to 1 timing or air bubbles are the cause.

Since I have one of the early 'jumpers', I highly suggest the engine be bolted down before starting it.   My second engine is smooth as silk....the first one wanted to go to China to get the silk.

[carlb23]

I have over 20 years working on high performance V8 gas engines.

Carl

Welcome Carl.

Seeing as there  is no such thing as a `high performance gasoline engine`,  I suspect you meant to say ` high output, higher fuel consumption V8 gasoline engines`.   

There is a box to the top right that allows you to delete your posts.

I don`t think it is necessary to remove flywheels and crankshaft but it definitely  is adviseable to inspect the sump for sand and the underside of the piston.  Pulling the lower rod bearing cap to isnpect the bearing and rod journal for sand/damage is also a good idea IMO.  Let what you see during these inspection steps guide your further course of engine preparation.  Good luck.

Thanks for the advise.  I tried to click the delete button but it said that the i could not delete my own thread.