For the love of a tractor engine: The life and times of the 18R-G

**o_man_ra23** · 27-01-2009, 04:38 PM

It would probably leak past the head gasket regularly if it has gone soft. Either water, oil, or combustion (or a combination). As mentioned, the heads come up regularly fairly cheaply, just make sure if it isn't a complete head, that it has the same number stampings, as the valve sizes changed a bit. If it is a complete head, try to get an 88270 head and use your old cams.

**bv73** · 27-01-2009, 08:26 PM

i bought the ra28 with rebuilt 18rg (but soft head) without hearing it running so i cant say whats symptoms it had, but the previous owner demanded to not to spend money on the head thats on. the cams are new as is everything else but he was really peed off with this head . im on the hunt for one and have shot off a couple of pm's. i just want to get the hear the thing to rumble it been 20 years since i last drove a ra28 !
thanks for your reply's
regards des.

**o_man_ra23** · 27-01-2009, 10:41 PM

I wouldn't be in too much of a hurry if the head is badly suspect. You will do more harm to the motor if you blow water and oil together and don't realise it quickly. Cappuchino is hard to get out.

**RAd28** · 27-01-2009, 10:43 PM

Des,

I presume its still not running? if you can atleast turn it over, a compression test might show up some issues...

Btw, Where in QLD are you located? Would be excellent to find some more RA28 owners around Brissy...

**bv73** · 27-01-2009, 11:11 PM

[QUOTE=RAd28]Des,

I presume its still not running? if you can atleast turn it over, a compression test might show up some issues...

Btw, Where in QLD are you located? Would be excellent to find some more RA28 owners around Brissy...[/QUOTE
im on the sunnycoast , buderim. it turns over and was told its running on three cylinders ?
ill find a head first then ill start to disassemble / diagnose.

**o_man_ra23** · 28-01-2009, 09:52 AM

If it's running on 3 cylinders and has a soft head, chances are it's blowing something past the head gasket, which isn't good. Definitely go looking for a new head!!

**Omegaman** · 29-01-2009, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by RA40peter

Omegaman,
Here's some pics
As you can see, the main hose (in red)has the T piece in it (blue). The T piece goes straight up through the runners up to the valve in the second pic (in blue).
Hope this helps

Peter

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...r/MainHose.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...eter/THose.jpg

Peter.

Your a champion. just what I needed.
sorry to take so long to acknowledge your reply. Internet is stuffed. (Virus, killed it.)
Will buy new battery and kick it over tomorrow.

cheers.

**MnToyGuy** · 14-02-2009, 02:10 AM

Time to set cam timing. I have the adjustable cam gears and with them set dead center, the timing is at 102 Int & 106 Exh. Is this right for starters, or sould they be tweaked. I couldn't find anything in the green bible.

Does anyone have any specs of acceptable cam timing ranges for an RG? Going 18RGTE on the motor.

**o_man_ra23** · 14-02-2009, 07:26 PM

Trial and error will be the only way to really set them up properly.

**Steve M** · 14-02-2009, 10:36 PM

MnToyGuy

Standard timings (Lobe phasing) are as follows (as measured by us, not from the book):

In/Ex

88210: 110.5 / 105.1
88231: 113.8 / 105.7
88250: 115.7 / 106.8
88251: 108.8 / 100.8
88270: 117.7 / 107.7

I hope this can be used as a guide, they should be used only as a guide as they were measured from worn cams and by dial gauge. It shows the differences between the different STD cam grinds.

**MnToyGuy** · 15-02-2009, 01:47 AM

Thanks guys! O man, This'll be dyno tuned and tweaked. I (or my engine builder) was just looking for a good starting point.

Steve, Perfect! I'll pass this on to my engine guy!!

**o_man_ra23** · 16-02-2009, 11:37 AM

Starting point is generally to have both notches facing upwards at No.1 TDC, and go from there. Measuring is used for checking progress and comparisons, and for when you rebuild later.

**SilverRA23** · 17-02-2009, 01:11 PM

Did someone in here need a green bible.. I can't remember where I read that someone was looking for one:

http://www.oztion.com.au/buy/auction...is=0&freepost=

**auto351** · 18-02-2009, 02:55 PM

Trying to find my Engine Identification Number (EIN) Im looking for it on the passengers side front next to Alternator , but cant see it there.

I have the 18R-GEU is it located else where on this motor or am I just blind ?