HI all first time posting on here so bear with me. I have a (was) working 1947ish Cat D8 2U ish that only has 14A and Series F on the data plate that is still legible on the serial number plate. Used it a couple years ago prior to deployments and now it will not start just cranks away. Charged the battery up changed the sparks getting some spark but not great. Took off the distributor cap to check spark there as well as make sure it was dry and found that one of the plastic plungers coming off the plug wire was broke. Yep should have take pix of that when I had it off but didn't but here are picks of the pony and dozer. Any help??

Well will try and upload some pix. BTW its electric start, button on the dash minimal gauges (volts). Pony motor tank is above the dash, with shut off control off a glass bulb. Serial number is gone on the pony but it was overhauled by Midwest Tead in 11-67. Was wondering if there is a way to replace some of the old and no longer available parts with stuff that is available??

Any info on what I have both pony and main will be appreciated along with any ideas on where to get a pdf manuel parts manuel and of course PARTS :thumb:ext.

Hi and welcome.
It's old but not that old. 14A's were produced from 1955 to 1958. The D8F, s/n 14A3861-up should have the oil cooled brakes and steering clutches. I am told that "Jensales" now have pdf manuals but not for free. Parts are still mostly around depending on what you need. Also possible to convert to direct electric start if you give up on the pony or it gives up on you.

The 2U and 14A series F designations are mutually exclusive.

The 2U was superseded by the 13A and then that was replaced by the 14A/15A series with a new engine design (D342?) I think the 14A was a straight drive gear transmission behind a clutch where the 15A had a clutch, and then a torque converter ahead of a different transmission. Caterpillars first torque converters used fuel as the working fluid instead of the oil we usually associate with that design today. I think the amenities of hydraulic assist steering clutches and in seat pony motor starting controls etc would have been introduced during that model progression.

Someone will be along soon that can tell you the ins and outs of this all.

I found a new source for parts online that seems to be pretty good so far with two orders received yesterday. Their online catalog is searchable with part numbers and will quote availability and price as well as shipping. All in all it worked out satisfactorily for me. Link attached below.......
globalpartszone.com/search

The thing you found broken in the magneto cap is probably one of the carbon brushes. Quite easy to break one or more if you do not push the cap straight onto its seat when reinstalling it as this pushes the brushes back into their sockets as the cap goes on. Could also have a rotor problem, but I personally have never seen that. Have a D7E with pony start that the rotor button was quite loose and readily wobbled on its shaft but it still was running. I reinstalled it with a piece of canvas between button and shaft to firm it up the last time I was in there.

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:thumb:
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

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? catstarter.yolasite.com/

Here are some more pix of the dozer and distributor:


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?