Well here’s the good news. After nearly 3 years of work the 200 hp LeRoi engine started. I put gas in the spark plug holes and cranked it over and it started up, didn’t stay running, but it started. The single carriage battery turns it over. It had great oil pressure. and the air compressor pumped air. There are many adjustments to make and the radiator is still leaking, but the engine is running.
Wed July 29 I sealed off the bottom radiator hose and put some water in the radiator. It leaked a little.
Thur July 30 I cranked it over with a tire iron in the ring gear and saw the timing was off. The impulse on the magneto was happening too soon. I unbolted and slid the water pump, distributor and magneto out from the timing gears and rotated the gear 1 tooth clockwise (retarded). This was an improvement but it needed more. I moved it 2 more teeth. Almost correct now I moved it one more tooth.
Friday July 31 I filled the torque converter with hydraulic oil.
Saturday Aug 1 My nephew, who repairs machinery in the steel mill in Pittsburgh, came to visit. He was a good heavy machinery mechanic would be a good one to help me on the first firing. We put gas in the spark plug holes and put the plugs back. It started right up but wouldn’t stay running. It wasn’t getting gas. The fuel drum was set up right and the fuel pump wouldn’t pull the fuel up the 3/8 pipe. We tried to prime the pump but the engine wouldn’t stay running.
Sun Aug 2 We ran a single 3/8 copper line from the fuel pump in to the drum. The engine started but the fuel pump wouldn’t hold the prime.
Mon Aug 3 I made a rack or stand and turned the fuel drum on its side. Gas now ran gravity flow to the fuel pump. The engine started and ran but fuel pored out the front carburator. The float valve was stuck open.
Wed Aug 5th I took the bottom plate off the radiator and put water in it. I saw where the leaks were. I bought more epoxy and spread it over the leaks. I disassembled the front carburator and adjusted the float valve. I will grind notches in the radiator plate to fit better.
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