D8 14A series F (2U) pony motor issues need help

Hey akpj,

Get a serial number after the 14-a and post it. You have a D8f 14-a, mid to late 50's. The pony mag points need to be filed and cleaned up to get spark again. Take a picture of tractor(not so close up) and we can help identify. The 14a is a great tractor...
Glen

Well learned something already so was worth the post👍
Most of the what type of D8 it was came from "what I was told" (thus all the ish's) so not surprised that only part was correct.
All the readable numbers on the plate are 14A6834 and below it the Series F. So from ya'lls words of wisdom its a mid 50's D8F SN 14A6834. So the manuals for 14A1 and up will do.
Will get more pix of the broken pieces and the dozer after this weekends guard drill is over.

Old Magnet: You mention its possible to convert her to direct electric start. Is that worth doing regardless? What about the pre-heating that the pony motor does? How would I find out what parts that would in-tale?

CCJersey: The small black piece that I found was hanging off a spring that was coming out of the distributor end of one of the two plug wires and fell out completely when I removed the cap. Is that what you are talking about? Could I just wedge it back up into the spring?

On Direct Electric Start the usual approach is to change out the pony motor when it dies and needs rebuilding.
You will loose the pre-heating, pre-oiling feature of the pony motor. Pre-heating can be accomplished by using glow plugs in later pre-combustion chambers. Pre-oiling with direct start can be achieved with a starter motor that has a pre-oiling pump built in. Most conversions just go with a normal Delco 50MT starter. Your option.
14A6834 is a 1957 production unit.

Hey akpj,

What's your location? You can change your settings to show your location, that way if a Acmoc member is close by, they might be able to come help...
Glen

akpj,

I am currently rebuilding the pony on my 14A 7437 which will ballpark around $2K when done which included line-boring the cylinders and hard chroming the crankshaft. I have, in addition to using my CAT dealer, have had good success with machinerytrader.com in finding the parts I needed. I got all of my books, Parts, Service Manual and Operators off eBay.

I see yours has the handbrake between the steering levers. I was told that was an option and I don't see very many with that feature. Just from your first picture, that looks like a good solid old Cat.

JanM

I thought that handbrake option was a one-off Jan ; )

Glen, thanks figured out how to put the location though doubt there's anyone near me up here 😞

JanM thanks just order the manuals off ebay as well hope they are as good as the pix of them

If I cant get her going again has anyone used the B&C Equipment replacement kits for the pony motor? http://catstarter.yolasite.com/

Here are some more pix of the dozer and distributor:
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The pix of the plate is off the side of the distributor, the last pix is the piece that falls out of the cap and goes into the open hole and spring that you can see in one of the other pixs of the inside of the cap. Was wondering if I could squeeze the spring tighter to hold if back in or something or if its toast?