'44 D2 5J Starting Problems...

Sombody probably tightened up the clutch adjustment too tight. Try backing it off a couple holes first. Not as hard as it sounds. Take out the filler plug and lift the button with a screwdriver or such and hold it while you turn the flywheel with your other hand--screw the clutch out of the spider.

The pinion not latching is common. Probably the hooks are worn, or springs under the hooks shot, or shaft worn, or any combination of those.

Brake pedal probably the operating/adjusting rod broke. Not hard to fix from underneath. Remove the pedal housing you can get at it. Drive up on railroad ties or such for some working room under there. Be dead certain it's stable. If it falls on you it'll hurt plenty.

Mine's a 41 D2 5J. Great little machine. I can't think of a time it has failed to start and do the job for which it was intended. Have fun,

Jack

Charley-Congratulations!

It sounds like your D2 and my D42T may be related. A link to my tractor is below. I have owned mine since May-2006. She is my first and only track tractor.

When I start my D42T I push the starting clutch with my left elbow and hold the starting pinion up with my left hand. I have developed a knack, so it works.

I think the adjustment that Jack is talking about does not require lifting the starting engine. Look at your Operators Manual if you have it and it details a pretty good procedure and has a very good picture. You go through the plug and use a screwdriver if I remember right. I have not adjusted mine yet and do not have my manuals with me.

One thing that I always remember when starting my D4 is that the starting engine does not recieve coolant unless the main is turning. I think I have read that the D2 is the same way. I do not let the starting engine run more than a minute or two before I begin cranking the main with the decompression lever in the start postion. I have carburetor woes as well, but she is starting and running now so I am happy. My starting pinion will stay engaged for a period until I get black smoke from the stack. Then she kicks out. That is why I hold up the pinion lever. I will address that over the spring sometime.

One other thing that I have only read in one place is that the flywheel on the starting engine can become loose if the aluminum plate behind the mounting nut is gone. It looks like you pull start your starting engine unless I am missing the starter somewhere. Do you have a starter on it or do you use a rope as it appears? I use a rope.

There is a great deal of info here on ACMOC. Get on the old board for research. I do not believe it is "here" yet. You will find it very helpful. I defer to most anyone on this board with my suggestions. I have learned a lot, but you will hit some real horsepower here.

Best of Luck and keep posting the photos. If you look for posts under the name of Bill Glenn, you will see many photos of his tractor. I spent about an hour one evening looking through them.

bernie

http://www.picturetrail.com/uid6748227

Charley-Congratulations!

It sounds like your D2 and my D42T may be related. A link to my tractor is below. I have owned mine since May-2006. She is my first and only track tractor.

When I start my D42T I push the starting clutch with my left elbow and hold the starting pinion up with my left hand. I have developed a knack, so it works.

I think the adjustment that Jack is talking about does not require lifting the starting engine. Look at your Operators Manual if you have it and it details a pretty good procedure and has a very good picture. You go through the plug and use a screwdriver if I remember right. I have not adjusted mine yet and do not have my manuals with me.

One thing that I always remember when starting my D4 is that the starting engine does not recieve coolant unless the main is turning. I think I have read that the D2 is the same way. I do not let the starting engine run more than a minute or two before I begin cranking the main with the decompression lever in the start postion. I have carburetor woes as well, but she is starting and running now so I am happy. My starting pinion will stay engaged for a period until I get black smoke from the stack. Then she kicks out. That is why I hold up the pinion lever. I will address that over the spring sometime.

One other thing that I have only read in one place is that the flywheel on the starting engine can become loose if the aluminum plate behind the mounting nut is gone. It looks like you pull start your starting engine unless I am missing the starter somewhere. Do you have a starter on it or do you use a rope as it appears? I use a rope.

There is a great deal of info here on ACMOC. Get on the old board for research. I do not believe it is "here" yet. You will find it very helpful. I defer to most anyone on this board with my suggestions. I have learned a lot, but you will hit some real horsepower here.

Best of Luck and keep posting the photos. If you look for posts under the name of Bill Glenn, you will see many photos of his tractor. I spent about an hour one evening looking through them.

bernie

http://www.picturetrail.com/uid6748227

Hi Charley-
This may not have an effect, but turning the main for five minutes is longer than I experience with my D42T. I wonder if you have fuel problems. Injectors, pump, air, etc. You might post that as another thread and I would bet you will get several hits either telling you that is reasonable or what to look for. It might be that a shot of either will do the trick...like I said, I am learning big time, but five minutes seems a long time...under compression with the throttle pulled back.

You are right about the preheat. Those guys at CAT were on top of things.

Look also for archives on comments and remarks regarding the starting engine "thrills and woes". I cannot think of a single inanimate object that can cause as many emotions from grown men as a starting engine on these, (my), old CATS...again, I am just a beginner! But the damn thing has me hooked!

bernie

The pinion latches are "accessable" through a small cover on the clutch housing near the left brake pedal. About all you can do there is to adjust the kickout speed. There are two slotted head screws with cotter pins to secure them. Adjust each one a half turn at a time until you get the correct performance.

If the springs are missing/latches broken etc., you will have to either lift the pony up or pull the main engine and access it that way. Just depends on what all you need to do. If you needed to R and R the main clutch, for instance it would be easier to pull the engine and do both. Other than that, it's probably best to plan on pulling the pony completely so you can replace the gasket and be sure there are no leaks when you put it back down after you fix the pinion.

On the other hand, holding just the pinion in is a lot easier for a person with only 2 hands than what you 're going through now. Try adjusting the clutch correctly first. It doesn't typically have to have a real stiff "snap" to it to turn the main just fine.

I don't think 5 minutes turning the main under compression to warm it is excessive for an old engine. Even a new one, probably would require that in cold weather unless one wants to resort to ether. I'm not so proud, I swear by the stuff, but I know some swear at it instead.

Brake bands sometimes rust through from water in the bottom of the clutch housings when the drains aren't removed to drain or are plugged with dirt. Hope that yours is something else disconnected and not the band and all your repairs are minor

Have you checked the pinion clutch oil, injection pump oil, oiled the clutch release bearings, bevel gear housing, and finals. Also it's best to spend some time greasing rollers etc pretty early on.

Have fun!

I've got a '44 5J that is probably a parts machine for the '46

I haven't been able to inspect and grease it yet. It was 9 degrees out yesterday morning and only made it to 35. All I have done so far is unload it and drive it 300 yards to park it. I won't be moving it again until I have checked all the fluids etc. I will adjust the starting clutch and pull the pinion shaft cover to look at it sometime in the next week.

Charley