Well, it has been 4 years since the last post. The machine sat in my yard split apart all this time. The block was sitting at the engine rebuilders for over a year.
I can report that I spent the past two weeks putting it together and it lives.
After the last post, I rigged something to press down on the liners uniformly and bought a better dial gauge. The protrusion measures showed the problem. The cylinder bores were not perpendicular to the deck. All of the liners were tipped so the front edge was higher than the back by 1.5 thou. Protrusion was lower than spec on 1,2,4. 3 was higher than the rest because the counter bore was wrong.
We cut the counter bores to a uniform depth perpendicular to the cylinder bores. Then shaved the deck perpendicular to the bores so that it produced 5 thou protrusion on all liners.
I changed the fuel bowl and fuel line. I had to source and install new copper crush washers under the injectors as they were leaking combustion gasses. I changed dozens of o rings and banjo fitting washers. I disassembled the fuel injection pump to try to fix the internal leaking. Replaced a couple hydraulic lines. Replaced a couple chinese hydraulic fittings and removed and reassembled every hydraulic fitting connection. For the first time ever, I have no wet hydraulic connections. I spent an entire day disassembling and repairing the entire wire harness. It has deteriorated a lot. I repaired at least 25 connections. I also discovered several differences between the wiring diagram and my machine. Anyways, I now have all gauges working except for the battery warning light. It is on all the time. I took apart the brake system and reassembled. I had to remove the brake pedal shaft assembly to free it up. It all works now but the braking power is still too low in my opinion.
It started easy and ran with no smoke. It gave me a scare when the temp guage pinned as soon as the thermostat opened. My laser thermometer showed 90C on the head and 80C at the thermostat. I put in a mechanical temp gauge and it runs cool even in this heat wave.
I ran the back hoe for an hour yesterday and nothing broke and temp didn't go above 180F and oil pressure was good. It runs smooth and steady. I have never once even when brand new been able to start it without glow plugs. Not one of the glow plugs on it works now (ordered but not arrived yet) and it starts easy.
I have a large oil leak at the front cover to resolve and then hopefully, after 7 years, I can do some work with this thing.