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Rd-26 inheritance what to do before starting?

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ppumkin

New member
Mt friend and I inherited a nice rd26 40hp 1964 engine. Apparently it ran 2~3 years ago but might be missing a water or fuel pump. When we pull the start cord there is good compression and its really hard to pull. Not sure if that is normal. It was just the engine so we are not sure if we need to put a start stop switch somewhere. There us a cable that is ground and goes to a connector. It might be rpm or start? Is there anything we can safely take off to inspect. I have good electric knowledge so if I can get to the coil and generator I would test and replace the lot if needed. I know the flywheel has to be torqued but I am not sure where it is. What could you advise for us to check and try and start it. If need be we got a spe******t in Manchester that could service it but can we do something? The engine was covered well. Nothing is rusted and it seems to work well. The gears go in and out.
Thanks
 
Thanks. I am hardly familiar with such engines. I don't want to go taking things apart and then realise I was not supposed to do this or that. I will have a close look. I just saw the spark plug cable go into the top part which is all sealed up with a screw on top. Not sure if that is part of the flywheel assembly.
 
The complete ignition system ( magneto ) is housed under the flywheel.-----On a motor like that it is best to do an inspection of the magneto.-----Need a proper puller with 3 bolts to pop the flywheel off.
 
Thanks. I think we will just save up some money and take it to a recommended person to fix. One plug has a good spark the other has none. Not sure why.
Is there anything I we should ask to check on this particular engine. I was thinking of changing the pull rope (not sure what the technical name is ) and if there is a recommended one to use. I don't want it to snap. Obviously the carb needs adjusting. Any idea how much a service like this would cost? Maybe a recommendation of somebody near Cheshire, UK?

thanks
 
There is a seperate ignition system for each cylinder.----------To me it sounds like the coils are cracked and one is grounding to the magneto plate with spark not going to the plug.---Easy to repair yourself.-------But as always " if you can solve it with money there is no problem "----At a dealer you are looking at a hefty sum of money to fix that.
 
Thanks. You did say the ignition system is under the flywheel. So it's not really easy job if we don't have the tools. Replacing the coils and cables is cheap enough and I know how to do it. I just scared to break something else in the process. Does it use a distribution cap for timing or does it use some kind of other way to time the spark? Would the service manual help me figure all this out? It's quite expensive just for the manual and rather use the money for parts though.
 
A magneto like that does not use a distributor cap.-----Timing is controlled by the rotation of the magneto plate and the opening of the points.---------The manual only sounds expensive and you might search for a manual on line as they are available with no cost on your part other than the search time.
 
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