Picked up this sweet heart of a Witte BD-9RDA manufactured in 1968. It came with a manual, electric start and genuine Murphy gauges for temp and oil pressure
Congratulations Tom,
I'm sure you're aware of all the great features of these engines. Made in the USA and the giant oil tank are what pushed me over the edge. I picked up a scanned copy of the owner's manual and under fuels was: "Use No Crude" as in crude oil I presume. Now that's "Roughy - toughy" talk if I've ever heard it.
You have a bit of work ahead of you so please keep us posted. Does it turn over?
Casey
WHAT !!!
Do you guys have giant cranes at home ?
There's no way I could play with something like that.
I would get a hernia just lifting off the valve cover. ;D
Quote from: LowGear on December 04, 2020, 11:18:47 AM
Congratulations Tom,
I'm sure you're aware of all the great features of these engines. Made in the USA and the giant oil tank are what pushed me over the edge. I picked up a scanned copy of the owner's manual and under fuels was: "Use No Crude" as in crude oil I presume. Now that's "Roughy - toughy" talk if I've ever heard it.
You have a bit of work ahead of you so please keep us posted. Does it turn over?
Casey
It turns over fine and even has a bit of compression, the injector squirts instead of sprays. Even better there is a genuine Frantz oil filter installed on the engine. Read the manual last night and the sales brochure from around '72 that I plan to scan and post here soon. Covers the whole Witte line.
Quote from: veggie on December 04, 2020, 11:44:47 AM
WHAT !!!
Do you guys have giant cranes at home ?
There's no way I could play with something like that.
I would get a hernia just lifting off the valve cover. ;D
I have a 3 ton fork lift here which didn't even grunt when lifting off the truck. When it's on the truck, does that make it a portable generator? I have an old generator trailer that had a 25kw generator with a flat head jeep engine in it. I may try to mount it on there if it fits.
What a great find. Lucky you.
Just scanned sales brochure from Witte celebrating 100 years. Lots of good info. Download here http://programmertom.com/download/Witte100Years.pdf
I like the looks of the engine. How much does it weigh?
It's about 1400 lbs including the base and generator. Full details in the sales brochure.
That is heavy. Have to mount it in place than build the generator shed around it. Please be careful moving it.
Fortunately I have 6000lb forklift.
The really good news is that these guys run absolutely smooth when kept in their designed speed range.
Pun alert! When it's cold a bit of propane really sparks their interest.
Did you get the pdf I posted, its really good.
It looks mammoth for only 1400 pounds.
Shouldn't it have a condensation radiator?
Agreed, seems like it would be heavier, however the specs say 1150 for just the engine and 1400 the whole generator. Looks like mine is the tank cooled version.
i have one just like that girl, that is i have the engine but not the generator
the generator was taken off and scrapped by a previous owner, and he then went to work
breaking off the cast iron base where the generator mounted
there is enough base left so that the engine is bolted down to a frame with steel ag wheels
and a tow tongue on it so it can be dragged around.
the engine starts and runs, it has the radiator option, which bolts on top of the cylinder and has the little belt driven
fan.
if you or anyone wants it, it is located in central kansas, in my back yard
i could arrange a skid steer to load it for ya! :)
i got $350 in it, i just couldn't let it go at auction for less, so it followed me home, i would like to get that back out of it.
these witte engines are big hunks of iron aren't they?
bob g
The Witte lives! To start with it had low compression, so I removed the valve cover and gave the valves a couple of whacks with a rubber mallet. And just like that there was compression. Then a battery was connected and after cleaning the terminals the starter cranked. Next was the injector was taken apart and cleaned. The pop tester showed a nice spray pattern and no leakage. A temp fuel tank was connected to the fuel pump and the delivery valve cleaned. Bled the injector and added oil and on the first compression stroke off she went. It seems to run clean with no blow-by and 35psi oil pressure. So all looks good on that end.
Next is to belt up the Kato gen head and see it that works. Also the Murphy gauges need to be reconnected. This engine is shutdown with a fuel solenoid. Full closed on the rack is running speed with no load. The Witte's new job is to run some 3ph motors in the pellet production line.
Wonderful !!
New video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhAQ0uFinls The generator works next comes a load test. I'm thinking of casting a concrete block with fork pockets so it will be "portable".
Update: I got the Witte running and while it runs pretty good, I found it lost prime during shutdown. The shut down process on this engine uses a fuel solenoid in front of the IP. Well after sitting for a while, I guess the fuel solenoid leaks a bit because my fuel drained into the crankcase. So I pulled the IP apart and found a very worn plunger and barrel. After a through a parts search for a new pump element I came up empty. BUT Area Diesel recommended Myles International and after speaking to them I sent my old plunger and element to be chromed and restored. The cost seems reasonable at $70 and it will take about 10-12 to be completed. Looks like she's got a new lease on life!
So I found out why the engine looses prime on shutdown, the plunger and barrel in the IP are worn out. So after an exhaustive search, a replacement element was not to be found. What I did find was a company in MS that would send the old parts out to be chromed and then refitted. They were sent the parts in Feb and I just got them back. The fit is smooth and seems as good as new.
This company, Mylex International sends batches of parts to Brazil, where a group of former employees bought an old Bosch plant and they are rebuilding old parts and making new ones. Also the injector uses the same nozzle as a S195. So it looks like I'll be able to return the old girl to service.
Tom, thanks mentioning Mylex International.
This is a valuable and I posted them in the Dealers Registry.
Henry
Just watched your vid.
That's a nice engine Tom. Good find.
Do you plan to refurbish it to her former glory.
All shiny and new looking ?
By the way, they run great on WVO, so start collecting oil.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSz6p7JYAFY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSz6p7JYAFY)
Quote from: veggie on May 21, 2022, 11:49:59 AMJust watched your vid.
That's a nice engine Tom. Good find.
Do you plan to refurbish it to her former glory.
All shiny and new looking ?
By the way, they run great on WVO, so start collecting oil.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSz6p7JYAFY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSz6p7JYAFY)
I am going to put her back to work powering a 5ph dust collection system.