Pony Motor Health Check-up

[@RoxanneGraham-jq5hi]

Great to hear the kids enjoying themselves.

[@jonelsonster]

Yeah, they're good little girls.

[@anthonyhengst2908]

It's always good to check up on things. Preventive maintenance is a good thing. Interval visuals are very valuable.

[@jonelsonster]

Even though it wasn't very scientific, at least I know there isn't anything blatantly wrong with it.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

I saw the other one and you'll change the oil more rthan the last outfit did and sludge will never be a problem and those younguns were having a time! Blessings.

[@jonelsonster]

That's exactly what I'm hoping for

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@jonelsonster It'll work!

[@johnalexander4356]

When looking up into the engine you can see the old lock tabs on the connecting rods have been bent A few times. So likely it was overhauled previously. At least it was inspected. I still think it's crazy those engines run so fast all the time.

[@jonelsonster]

That's a good point!

[@michaelstjohn2617]

Fantastic video and very helpful to all of us learning, keep up the great work!

[@jonelsonster]

I'm learning right along with everyone.

[@larrydavidson3402]

Smart move checking the pony motor before install.

[@jonelsonster]

It wasn't too scientific... But it helps me feel better.

[@tractordan933]

The guys I have dealt with for a replacement pony motor say that the rings that John Deere used are the "Achilles heel" of the pony motor. There are quality replacement rings available. While checking out what I suspected was a water pump leak I found pieces of ring in the bottom of the crankcase. The owner of Renaissance Tractor in Washington state has told me personally some things he has seen that contradicted some of what is spread online. Thanks for another great video.

[@weirddeere]

I know you Dan! haha

[@KStewart-th4sk]

@tractordan933 I wish you had shared what the Renaissance Tractor owner told you.

[@weirddeere]

@@KStewart-th4sk I'll admit I was curious too haha

[@jonelsonster]

I appreciate your comment. I hadn't thought about rings quality. I always just thought about oil quality and how if your carb floods into the oil, it will diminish the lubricating capability of the oil. And also a leaky water pump, like you mentioned.

[@tractordan933]

That new distributor was money well spent, it will last a life time if your system has a working pressure switch to protect the coils.

[@weirddeere]

100% agreement on the oil pressure switch to control ignition power! Absolutely needed!

[@KStewart-th4sk]

@tractordan933 How does the pressure switch protect the coils? From what "weirddeere" commented it sounds to me as if the oil pressure switch would be just used as a safety device to protect the engine from starting if there were no oil pressure. That being said i know nothing about these engines BUT am quite familiar with oil pressure switches being part of the safety shutdown circuit on Cummins or the old Detroit Diesel 2-strokes i worked on. These diesels (other makes too) have oil pressure switches and water temperature switches as part of the safety shutdown circuit. I don't believe the oil pressure switch would be there to protect the coils?

[@weirddeere]

@@KStewart-th4sk one main weakness of the V4 ponies is if you leave the ignition switch on (engine not running) the coils will burn up. Those coils are not cheap. And it is very easy to accidentally leave the switch on. Add an oil pressure switch to the circuit and it will cut ignition power when there is no oil pressure. So it saves from a stupid mistake AND will shut off with a drop in oil pressure, double feature! Then you may ask, how do you start it? Wire up a bypass from the starter to give the pony power when cranking. Deere DID use an oil pressure switch to light up the red dash light for the pony but it's not a big job to redo it to control the ignition power and the light at the same time

[@KStewart-th4sk]

@@weirddeere Thanks for taking the time to enlighten me of the potential problem with the coils burning up if you left the ignition switch on. That does make sense. If i remember correctly the Cummins we had on a MKIV Tamper (railroad maintenance machine) had a BYPASS BUTTON you pressed until oil pressure was present. Only a second or 2 of course. Murphy shutdown systems had the same thing on other equipment we had. On the old Detroit 2-Strokes it had a TIME DELAY module usually that shut down the engine if there was no oil pressure present. I think after about 15-20 seconds of no oil pressure.

[@jonelsonster]

I remember you mentioning that to me a while ago in an email. It would be fun to see how you did that. I like the two-for-one advantage you mention.

[@keepcalmandfarmon5401]

Pony motor now has a clean bill of health...should be trouble free for a long time!

[@theda850two]

The biggest problem one will face now, is the low quality of gasoline available, one should go to the airport and get a can of Av' gas and save a lot of headache. That stuff is highly refined, and remains stable when stored properly for about 3 years! It does cost about $6 a gallon, but that little pony motor doesn't burn hardly enough fuel to bother, same with your lawn mower and other small engines...

[@gearsnstuff7330]

@@theda850two I would strongly recommend against running avgas in most small engines, or really, most non-aviation engines. It's to volatile for small engines (Think running gasoline in a diesel engine, to a lesser degree), and it'll toast a small engine rapidly, my uncle used to do exactly that, he stopped after destroying a few garden tractor engines. Ethanol is the biggest issue with new gas for older engines, so if you can find ethanol free gas, most small engines (And larger ones, for that matter) will be happy with it.

[@theda850two]

@@gearsnstuff7330 , I've not had any problems.

[@jonelsonster]

That's the hope!

[@jonelsonster]

We just run ethnol free gasoline. No problems at all.

[@danw6014]

I have wondered about using a 20w 50 semi synthetic oil especially in a smoker to help seal those rings. If I remember right the book recommended either 30w or 10w 30.

[@jonelsonster]

I think there is a chart in the manual showing temperature ranges and what oil you should use. But we just use 15w-40 in everything. It has enough zinc additive for the flat tappet cam.

[@clarencetrice4442]

😊😊 that the 1ST dis IVE seen W out a cap or button and I heard the 1 in the background is very talk of tive is that from dad or mom or just a kid sonds like a about 3 years old 😊😊 OMG 9 23 2O24

[@jonelsonster]

👍🏻

[@ianwille5780]

I’ve always felt sorry for those little pony motors. They were always used and abused. Only time they got love was when they wouldn’t start the diesel.

[@jonelsonster]

Yeah, they had a hard life.

[@theda850two]

Is it possible and/or less costly to convert it to electric start?

[@danw6014]

What would be the fun in that?

[@KStewart-th4sk]

No idea why my reply disappeared here. I just basically stated that he probably wants to keep it original. It annoys me that yt i assume removed it. Why, i have no idea, and how many others does it happen to? What if it is valuable info someone wants to share?

[@jonelsonster]

Yes, there are kits to convert to electric start. But they are expensive. Our 70D has been converted using a big heavy duty semi truck starter. I've done a video on that previously.

[@lynnniendorf5117]

It was only possible due to the Dave Ghrol tee shirt.

[@jonelsonster]

Rock on! 💪🏼