Gasoline vs. Diesel

[SkyPup]

I guess it could have been much worse, like if he'd parked the gas 8N in his barn and then it blew up, taking out his home too.... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Keith_B_]

Diesel has a lot of advantages. Less trouble on average than gas, as there are no points, plugs, wires, distributor caps, etc., to worry with. Fuel costs for operation will be much cheaper.

Gasoline engines will be easier to work on only in that the ignition repairs are easily taken care of by the average shade tree mechanic. However, the diesels do not have these ignition problems so that really isn't much of an advantage.

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Any gas engine usually requires considerable cranking after it has sat for a while, especially ones with carburetors )</font>

I'd say that is more related to the level of maintenance they receive, and the condition of the engine.

If your level of maintenance is: "I put gas in it when it needs to work".

Then yes.. I'd agree.. it will probably be a hard starter.

The majority of my antiques are still 6v.. Only one has been rebuilt that I know of, and that was 15 years ago.. the rest are setting on 50 year old engines or older.

Even after setting for as long as 6 months, I can turn the gas on, wait a few seconds for the carb bowl to fill, set throttle at 1/3 to 1/2 turn on the ignition, hit the starter button, and as the first rev is going, give a pull on the choke. By the end of the second rev, she starts. That's the startup ritual on my 6v ford 8n, 6v ford 660, and my 6v allis chalmers G. The 8n and 660 have been hard workers.

Soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Old gas tractors are simply great for fantasitc flameouts when the rusting gasoline tank leaks down onto the exhaust manifold. )</font>

Leaky diesel burns fine too. At the local tractor auction, the back row is for non runners, parts machines, and burn jobs. There are usually more old diesels setting back their burned, than old gas jobs.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My nieghbor's 1951 Ford 8N self destructed in a gigantic explosion of fire that took the county fire rescue department over four hours to put out, not to mention the time he spent in the hospital for the burns, fortunately no skin grafts were required though..... )</font>

Sounds like poor maintenance. if the owner had a leaky gas tank.. or a rusty one.. he should have corrected it.

Owning an old tractor implies reasonable inspection prior to putting it to work. Besides.. you assume all gas tractors have tanks situated over the exhaust manifold...not all are situated that way... in any case.. that's a maintenance problem.. not a design flaw...

Soundguy