FIRST TEST RUN 884 CUBIC INCH V8 GENERATOR ONAN 140 WE

[@spencereagle1118]

'Let's see if we can get it to 60hz'......every stove in a 1/2 mile radius went out.

[@flir67man84]

Rolling on the floor laughing my ass off!

[@erikj.2066]

Gas company gets an alert from their sensors that there's a pressure drop, and a high volume flow, indicating a potential massive gas leak, and they start panicking.... Mike finishes up running the unit, and see's the guys driving around the neighborhood with the flashing yellow beacons blazing on the gas company trucks, trying to sniff the leak out. 😂

[@giggiddy]

That was beautiful!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 The neighbors spent the rest of the day relighting their pilot lights

[@scottgrumpybastard311]

the neighbors stove was sucked back into the pipe !!!

[@giggiddy]

@@scottgrumpybastard311 lolololol

[@oldchevy4x4]

Neighbors during the test run.... 'Why is he making so much noise? Darn that Mike...' Neighbors some night when the power goes out...'Hey Mike... can I run an extension cord over here?' LOL

[@themechanicalbud2922]

It be true lmao XDDD

[@yourbeekeeper]

OldChevy4x4 we lost power last December for two days... I had my bigger generator going for my house and also powered the houses on either side of me.. They kept showing up with gas and all was good. I like that NG setup for sure.

[@AmraphelofShinar]

I'd be thrilled if this guy was my neighbor.

[@illbeyourmonster3591]

Where I live I'm that guy everyone goes to when 'shit gets real' too. Neighbors: why do you have 15 portable generators of every age and size? Me: cause you all seem to like having them to borrow whenever you need one!

[@oldchevy4x4]

@NNNNNNNGGGG Absolutely!

[@peterhodgkins6985]

"Hey, it's running!" No matter how many times it happens, it's always a thrill. It's why we do this stuff.

[@ThomasGabrielsen]

This unscripted and (almost) unedited types of videos was what made me start to watch on KZbin in the first place, over a decade ago. One thing I've noticed several times while watching your videos, is that when you experience an issue your reaction is: "Hmm, that's interesting.", and then you go on to diagnose and solves it. This calm and analytical attitude towards problem solving is so important for a mechanic. Keep up the good work!

[@Titan604]

Next week - How to replace a spun bearing on a gas meter...

[@frankiejones8038]

Mustie

[@will7its]

Holy shit.....😂

[@edwardjonez6615]

YOU EXPLAINED THE FUNCTION OF THE DISTRIBUTER MUCH BETTER THAN ANY ENGINE INSTRUCTOR I EVER HEARD. MY FRIEND, YOU SHOULD BE IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION. BIG THANKS TO YOU FOR YOUR VERY INFORMATIVE VIDEOS.

[@HANKTHEDANKEST]

Seriously! This dude is like the archetypal shop teacher, the kind of grizzled veteran wot makes young kids love working with their hands and solving physical problems.

[@jackkreighbaum783]

Many years ago, I bought two sets of points for my '69 VW Squareback from my Warren AFB BX gas station and then drove from Cheyenne to Jackson, WY. Ended up breaking both sets and was stranded somewhere in WY! Fortunately, I was near a house that let me use their phone. My dear wife purchased two new sets at a quality auto parts store and drove approximately 200 miles to rescue me. BUY QUALITY! Thanks for the content.

[@giggiddy]

Your company must love you. I always thought that generator technicians were either trained in the engine side or the power generator side. You seem to be an expert in both. Your mechanical ability is master tech level as you demonstrate impressive skill and depth with both gasoline and diesel power. And you're just as gifted with the power head side of things. Did I mention your company must LOVE you? Thanks for bringing us along!!!

[@larsbr4519]

The reason for a Capacitor in a points ignition system, is to get the magnetic field to collapse as fast as possible when the points open. The capacitor and the coil together form a resonant circuit which allows the energy to oscillate from the capacitor to the coil and back again.Try running one without a capacitor, you get a weak spark if you are lucky. Yes it also prevents a spark over the points, but that is because it get's the magnetic field to collapse so fast the it can't generate a spark over the points. And that saves the points.

[@anthony10370]

I miss this era of America. When things were built here. Built right. Repairable. And every other country was a joke.

[@pieterfranke]

Yeah because everybody knows Americans have ever outengineered .... lets say.. germans??

[@anthony10370]

@@pieterfranke I was more thinking economically. None of this globalism crap.

[@christopherguy1217]

Now America is a joke, thanks Trump.

[@davidtyndall9604]

Back in the early eighties I worked as an RV mechanic and because of my small engine experience I worked on the Onan generators. Onan makes some really nice equipment, at least they did at that time.

[@beckywatt5048]

Still do just alot more wires to scrub the power , they have very good manuals though .

[@roygunter3244]

There is an email being sent right now at the nearest pumping station on the natural gas pipeline, "attention an unexplained sudden drop in pressure on a gas line running in a residential area. Check for a huge leak in the line, this much gas usage is very unusual for this time of year". It is sounding great, don't worry about the neighbors we all love it. You have all the great toys.

[@MattBrownbill]

Great progress Mike. Gas company: 'Enough of this!'

[@fillg]

When I installed my tankless water heater I had to call the gas company and tell them how many BTUs it could put out combined with my gas furnace and they had to come out and install a meter that could flow a little more gas. Maybe you should call your gas company and tell them you need enough gas to run a 140 KW generator just so you can hear them say "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?" 😀

[@Nudnik1]

All the neighbors stoves and heat went off and gas meters ran backwards.. Awesome rig Thanks

[@planejet42]

What a beast. I can't even fathom how loud that is.

[@michaela1655]

"I can feel the ground shaking!" I love it when that happens.

[@rpatrick2]

That smile on your face at about minute 50. "it's alive!!!"

[@zomaardan]

Loved that part. I did feel it.

[@8068]

Engine sounds strong. Nice job on the rebuild. I bet that if you have a valve that is stuck it can be worked out by running the engine. Looking forward to seeing the governor upgrade.

[@drdiesel1]

I loving seeing new life in old machines like this, it's still got another 50 years of service left!

[@craigleemehan]

Wow, that engine sound reminds me of the German half-track in the movie "The Dirty Dozen".

[@davidhamilton8041]

Got to 60 hertz and the neighbors furnace mysteriously went out

[@beckywatt5048]

I heat with wood , no bother .

[@MikeF1189]

Congratulations on getting that beast running That put a smile on my face too.

[@kstricl]

Long video? With this channel, there's no such thing. I love taking in all the info you give.

[@arrans1987]

You should have looked at the gas meter to see how fast it was spinning 😂

[@colin8532]

Just a blur lol

[@REWYRED]

"Clocked" the meter to see how many BTU per hour it is operating at idle lol

[@sirmalaki79]

What meter, that thing flew away it was spinning so fast

[@contenderforthefaith5421]

Hahaha my thoughts exactly. Bet it was making some heat spinning.

[@Robert-Wilson]

Bet he going to hate his next gas bill.

[@ihrescue]

I always learn something from Mike - this time in measuring the gap and the peak influence on using a feeler gauge. What a nice design on the Delcoe - Remy points adjusting cam. The explanation of the temperature regulating valve was excellent.

[@thomasglessner6067]

Bravo, people need to see the inside of a distributor. State of the art a long time ago. Thanks for sharing.

[@shawnbottom4769]

Minor correction: 200 nano is 0.2 microfarad which is a value I always see when condensers are good. Also your narration is left channel only. Not trying to give you a hard time here, you do good work!

[@572Btriode]

You saved me some typing !

[@throttlebottle5906]

right, simply shift the decimal point 2 places to change back and forth between them each time. didn't notice the narration was single channel, maybe mono mic cable into stereo jack (mono to stereo adapter/cable or in editing will fix that)

[@HansFormerlyTraffer]

When it's running you can hear it saying "I want to be installed in a pick up truck built by Jonathan W." Yup that is what she's saying.

[@ClumsyCars]

@Dave Iaucco ooooooooo diesel electric conversion. Nice.

[@chasebh89]

i see were on "left audio" mode today

[@robertbarnett6879]

When i first saw this i was confused and 30sec after reading this it hit me.

[@PistonAvatarGuy]

People should upload in mono, unless they're really going to take advantage of stereo sound. Too many videos end up on only one audio channel.

[@jayman4095]

Glad I wasn't the only one that noticed lol

[@yourbeekeeper]

chasebh89 it's the wireless mic. he is using. Mine does the same thing.

[@AquarianNomadic]

@@AiMR he's a mechanic not a tech guy.

[@chrishartley1210]

Great description of how the distributor cams, weights and springs work. I remember watching an engine tuner setting up modified engines, first thing he ever did was remove the distributor and disappear for a few minutes before starting any tuning. Then after a short while he would usually remove it again and disappear into the back once again. I found out later that he was changing the cams, weights and springs, the original cams (for maximum power at about 5000rpm) would not have enough range (new maximum power at 8000rpm). He told me that without these changes he could have got it to produce peak power but it would be too advanced at low speed and it would not idle.

[@shawnmrfixitlee6478]

She runs good Mike . I was looking at the specs on that engine and it only makes 360 HP @ 3000 RPM . But a ton of torque .. ENJOYED

[@willyck948]

One helpful tip on dustributors is to face the rotor towards number 1 cylinder so its easier to find which wire slot is for cylinder number 1 also help reference ignition order when replacing high tension leads.

[@jmccracken491]

Mike, every time I watch one of your videos I feel like I am back in school. Mr Mike you are a fantastic instructor.

[@NotSoCrazyNinja]

Calls gas company: Yeah, I need more gas... Gas company: How much more? *all of it*

[@willb3018]

😂

[@throttlebottle5906]

he may be able to get a tee and higher pressure and volume regulator/meter before the current one just to feed that beast and other, then you run to large volume regulator to drop down to the needed 5" w.c. at unit (totally not worth the cost, may not be available or enough yet to feed it, line from street may need upsized, etc etc etc.)

[@shizznit7]

Been waiting all year for this video, good job mate. She’s a loud one

[@paulmartin8212]

I know this this old school technology , I'm 67. Great video and teaching. If kids today would pay attention they would learn some basic 4 stroke principles. You remind me of my youngest son who is a master automotive tech. He loves his job and to teach the new guys who show good work habits and safety.

[@NCF8710]

A little whiff of 'magic air' will do it every time!

[@johngordon5354]

Mike, I found you by accident, but after this video I'm here to stay. Thank you, very educational, I loved it! Great job!! Subscribing immediately!

[@giggiddy]

Yes. He's gifted at turning wrenches and just as impressive as an orator. Its got to be difficult talking to a camera with no audience and he answers all of my questions just as they come up. He's spooky good. You won't be sorry for joining.

[@johngordon5354]

@@giggiddy very cool.

[@pomoxisnigromaculatus4498]

When the brussel sprouts taste a little like anti-freeze you know Mikey's been fooling around in the kitchen again...

[@icarus901]

Mike, just want to say that I/we appreciate the investments you've made for camera gear/mics etc. Everything looks top notch, and your narration is excellent. I've fixed several engines with tips in mind that I learned from you, so thank you for sharing your knowledge so willingly.

[@glumpy10]

That test run used enough gas for the next 3 months worth of Cooking Dinners. Great Vid and exciting to finally see it run.

[@beckywatt5048]

Could use a 20lb cylinder for a ten minute test run .

[@frazzledude]

@@beckywatt5048 If he lived on a dairy farm with lots of cattle he could build a huge methane digester. Then he could actually run that generator on bulls#!t.

[@throttlebottle5906]

@@beckywatt5048 it's natural gas, not propane, it would need a different carb or rebuilt for propane and even then a 20LBS cylinder now days is full of anti-idiot(huffers/house exploder devices) it would likely have slammed shut on excess flow or simply freeze up quickly, you'd need a very large tank and port or liquid propane and a vapor converter(how tow motor work with their little engines)

[@Grunzaa]

I've been a mechanic for 10 years now and I've never been shown that finding TDC trick by removing the plugs excluding No1 and cranking. Great idea - Thanks.

[@777jones]

Thank you for refurbishing this badass machine because you CAN. You taught & entertained many people by doing it.

[@ZippoVarga]

Wife: Why is the gas bill so high this month? Mikey: I have no clue honey, here's a dozen roses. lol Well done my Friend! Zippy~

[@BobPegram]

8-))!

[@flir67man84]

I was thinking same thing..

[@RANDALLOLOGY]

That sounds like something I would do to cover my butt. Lol

[@thepubliceye]

The gas company is loving you.

[@RobertFay]

*It is nice for you to see all your work pay off, Mike.*

[@m.b8257]

You’re very knowledgeable about many types of engines, it makes for very interesting videos.

[@barrb6134]

Unreal that that Jenny uses so much NG. Really thrilling every time watching you diagnose issues! THANKS SO MUCH!

[@TheFurriestOne]

That thing sounds like a decelerating semi-truck when it comes off-throttle, I love it!

[@bigcheese781]

Gosh... In my part of the world a 14.5 liter engine isn't "SmallEngineMechanic" territory... I should consider moving :)

[@whithutchinson6895]

Standing by for the load test. Thank you for the information and the videos!

[@Darryl603]

You could probably power the whole street with that! Nice job, Mike

[@georgelewis8904]

Good job seeing it run after all your work.

[@unacamper9123]

I worked on many of these....certified Waukesha tech...

[@billmoran3812]

I’ve worked on all kinds of engines for 50 years, but never saw that trick you used to find TDC on #1 cylinder. Very interesting. I generally turn the engine over by hand with my finger over the spark plug hole. Have to try your method some time. I’m surprised you were able to pull that much gas flow. A lot of newer gas service regulators have an excess flow preventer that will shut off the supply if it detects a wide open gas flow, as if the line to the house were to break.

[@hensleyshobbies-doug7761]

That’s a beast of a engine! I never knew Onan built engines that big, I knew they made engines for smaller applications, like riding mowers, etc.. pretty cool! Good deal buddy!

[@Maine307]

The only man, that gets personal hand written holiday greeting cards and birthday card from the Gas company..

[@eamonmcdonnell8275]

Thanks. You give time to explain for people that might not know that stuff. Top marks. Very best wishes!

[@FOOKYOUTUBENUMBERS]

The knowledge He's knocking for free, plus the high Octane content. I Tip My Hat to You Sir! Great video "I JUST LOVE THESE VIDS"

[@hillbillyb4u]

...Gas company stops by to see where all that Cubic feet of gas went...

[@beckywatt5048]

I needed more volume and had to bypass the meter , ha, ha, ha . Just like filling a swimming pool .

[@chriholt]

That thing is a beast! Nice job getting it running again - can't wait to see how the new governor works.

[@christopherbennett265]

Congratulations!!!! you da man Mike! I never had a doubt it would run but it was still exciting to see it fire up.. thanks for another fantastic hour of premium infotainment sir

[@rickjohnson1632]

Looks like you did a nice job putting it back together, 👍

[@robertschaap5342]

I wish I had a tenth of your talent and know how.

[@Volcker1929]

Troll Craigslist for free mowers, fix them.

[@wmwardwell]

One small reminder to everyone that works on a point operated gasoline engine. ALWAYS wipe the feeler gauge with a clean dry cloth before use !! Otherwise the first time the points arc, they will have a carbon buildup from the oil burning off.

[@slypig24]

Great rebuild, I've see a plumber adjust the Natural Gas Pressure regulator, to increase gas pressure. Its only a little bit dangerous. 😉

[@markthecraneman8465]

Your grin when she burst into life said it all... Nice one mate.

[@craigs5212]

Adjust your house gas pressure regular a little to get more volume. Just don't forget to turn it back down before turning the house back on. When I bought my house years ago, I put in a new furnace but could not get its gas valve to open. A replacement valve didn't help, finally decided to check the gas pressure which was 4 or 5 times what it should have been. There was so much pressure against the rubber valve seat it wouldn't open. The previous owner had cranked the regulator up to run a very large shop heater. Once I reset the pressure all was fine.

[@coopershistorygarage2804]

Onan says in one of their manuals that the 140WE needs 11" WC gas supply as I'm sure you're aware. That and the gas consumption at full load is 1,450 CFH (Cubic Feet per Hour)! In perspective the gas meter on the side of your house is only good for 250-300 CFH. The pressure regulator for the gas meter is only good for about 500 CFH.

[@motor-werner1989]

Nice Engine. There are not many videos of those LeRoi H-884's out on KZbin.... 👍 Thanks for sharing...

[@georgelewis8904]

Great tip on finding top dead compression bounced back. Small engine mechanic, what's a large engine looks like.

[@bcad4066]

@Edgar Miller But you wouldn't know if you were on the compression stroke or the exhaust stroke.

[@adamvanostrand2664]

I've been waiting to see that thing run. I'm sure it sounded awesome in person and the video sound can't do it justice. I love when you said I can feel the ground shake

[@SmallEngineMechanic]

It did, I will try to get better audio of it in the future.

[@danw1955]

Heh heh, most residential NG supplies will deliver about 5 cfm at 7 in. H2O, so no big surprise that you couldn't rev it up much.😁 You may be better off with a 100 lb. propane tank with a liquid feed, and a hot water converter/regulator to supply enough volume to make it run like it should. I dunno what the manual recommends, but 20-30 cfm at 10 in. of water will probably get you close to what it takes for full output. I heard that leaky exhaust valve when you shut it down. Hopefully just one or two tightened up a bit and need readjusted, and it's not a burnt valve.🤔 Good to hear it finally run again! That's a LOT of flywheel there between the weight of the crank and the weight of that monster armature.😉👍

[@keithyinger3326]

and.. here comes the gas company looking for leaks in the system lol. With that much pressure drop from a residential line you might certainly think leak. Awesome to hear that beast running though!

[@cobrasvt347]

Can't believe it's running on residential gas service with pressure to spare at idle. 👍how cool is that. Pretty impressive I gotta say.

[@CamelGarage]

You have no idea how excited I get to see a new video from SmallEngineMachanic!

[@brianjacobsen5762]

That thing looks like it run the whole block. Power. Might be cheeper to run that charge your neighborhood cheeper Prices piss the power company off.

[@colin8532]

Gas company would LOVE him lol

[@mjm7187]

Size is relative, there always manages to be one that is larger. Same basic principles apply whether single or multiple cylinders. Keep having fun Mike Fuel ,compression, spark for those SI types.

[@The7humpwump]

Sounds like a Maybach in a Tiger tank. Awesome

[@frankbiz]

Enjoyed it very much, I learn a lot from your videos. Thank you! 😊👍🏻

[@contenderforthefaith5421]

It a "water heater" not a "hot water heater" LOL.I loved watching those bellowed pipes dancing that was just awesome. Love watching your channel btw!

[@akabruno1]

Sir you are a natural teacher 👍

[@ryanmalin]

10:00 I agree with you. Sometimes buying new points are worse than the old oem points. I have first hand experience with this.

[@nhzxboi]

I'd dump that point system and put a Chrysler or DruraSpark system in. Pretty easy retro-fit.

[@claytoncoolidge992]

If your going to change it atleast put a good ignition in. GM HEI

[@novanut1964]

add a tee before the house gas regulator and add a bigger commercial size regulator to get the gas volume needed, great video!

[@somerandomguy3868]

really is a beast of an engine, you're smile says it all, I'm thinking underload it's gonna be drawing some serious CFM of natural gas, personally I'm loving this giant, I've never seen anything like it, great job bringing it back to life, looking forward to more

[@chavescrave]

Great video. Thanks for explaining how the distributor mechanical advance works and the thermostat testing.

[@XY_Dude]

Folks, this is a NG engine, not liquid fuels. If it doesn’t fire and the first couple revs, you have to do something else. Also, did he put his bare hand on the exh. manifold?! “Gas company, I need a 3” feed line!” Gas co.: “We’ll be there in a 1/2hr...”

[@nickradonich8530]

If you're looking to 'moderize' the ignition system a bit, look at the Pertronix Ignitor. It's a direct Points & Condenser replacement, mounts in the same location and turns it into a Hall-effect ignition. Way more reliable, no need to set dwell, no need to worry about the points ever wearing down. I don't work for them, but I've seen the results first hand.

[@I-T-S-M-E]

Really starting to like this channel. Good work.

[@DeadKoby]

It's cool.... I like seeing vintage equipment kept alive. Although generators aren't my "thing" (I maintain ours for our home).... I'm glad there's someone who really enjoys the hobby and keeps these old dogs alive for the rest of us to appreciate. I'll keep working on old guitar amps instead though.

[@alextreme7191]

i work at the gas utility. that is a cool old fisher gauge you use! i'm surprised it ran as well as it did with probably just a 1/8'' orifice in that regulator and not even close to the volume needed. would have loved to see the meters test dials trying to keep up lol

[@bsimpson6204]

That is a beast of an engine, sounds like a motor torpedo boat. Well done getting it running!

[@MrKleb32]

Love your videos all the way from Manchester England 😀😀

[@samthemultimediaman]

that engine converted over to gasoline would be pretty cool in a semi truck.

[@motor-werner1989]

The Mack M123 had the 844 cui version of that engine installed. 😉

[@contenderforthefaith5421]

Probably more efficient than a 2stroker DD

[@arthurhardy]

Or propane.

[@claytoncoolidge992]

They make tanks for CNG. No need to convert it to anything with a known octane number and cause power loss and potential spark knock. Natural gas has no known octane so grab that dizzy and give her a hard advance and gain more power

[@fjs1111]

damn you're a good mechanic!! You know you're stuff, sounds like you're quite familiar with electrical engineering. good videos, love them

[@andysteward8617]

That really sounds good ! Your hard work paying off !!!

[@fullraph]

I've been waiting for this video for so long haha! What a beast!

[@rodneybrand8521]

What a beautiful beast..sounds great..the satisfaction is enormous..