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

[andrewzuku]

I read somewhere in this thread that people were also having problems with noisy chains when their No.2 chain tensioner was too tight. The green book says to set the back stroke to between 0.5 and 1.0mm.



Oh, and no problem Ian.

[lilcrash]

I originally had 5mm. Now I have .5-1mm after I read that last week

[lilcrash]

Could it just be that the penrite run in oil is just too thick when cold because the noise goes away when warm.

[Javal]

That penrite run-in oil is actually really thin iirc.

Also, I suspect I might need a lower-temperature thermostat for my 18RGEU (it sits at about 1/2 to 5/8ths on the gauge at operating temp). All the cooling system is new so it's either a difference in the senders or i need a lower temp thermostat.

So, uh, where can i get one?

[lilcrash]

My temp gauge doesn't even get to half way so a lower temp thermostat may help, mine is in an rt40 running a stock rt40 radiator so I'm pretty sure mine should run hot if anything.

Most auto stores should have a thermostat.

[RA35GT]

My temp gauge sits on around 1/3, then creeps up to half, fans come on then it goes down to a 1/3 again.

I got mine from toyota not that long ago...

[Javal]

Thanks guys. I'm running a clutch fan (unfortunately without a shroud as my radiator is not mounted in the standard location). Now if my memory serves, 18R and 18RG use the same size thermostat? So i could just grab a lower temp one for an 18R?

[crowncustom]

R and RG are the same.Even the 2R one is the same and M series ones also.Not sure what temp mine is in the RT40 but with the 18R I'm running a stock factory 3 core radiator with thermo and aftermarket guage and its reading between 85 and 95C for memory.
Cheers Brett.

[RA35GT]

I use a 90916-03034 in mine. (It's 82 deg C)

[Javal]

Awesome. It's going on it's first adventure without a trailer today so I was a little worried about it. I'll put the lower temp one in and see if it improves at all.

[ra_28]

I actually went from a 71 deg to a 82 deg and found mine to run better with a lot less rattles.

[Javal]

Well I ended up fitting an appropriate temperature sensor (as I had no idea what the one in there was from) and a 77 deg thermostat. Sits happily at 1/4 to 1/3 at idle. I didn't think I had a cooling system problem as the whole lot is new!

On another note, having only limited on-road time with these engines, the driveability was not that I expected. It's much less peaky than anticipated (ran out of puff at 6000rpm) but a nice strong midrange. Honestly I expected a bit more mumbo, but I suppose it is only the lowest-comp version with the most mild cams. I think I have some 88253 cams in the shed but it appears they're almost identical to the 88270

[bmxer54]

i had a similar problem recently, my temp gauge would get up to hot before the thermo fan would come on and it was a new thermo fan switch and 16inch spal fan.
I replaced the temp sender with a new one that wasn't 40 years old and my temp gauge only gets up to half way before the fan comes on.
Very happy with that, was a sightly worried i was cooking the fresh motor for a little while there,
Oh and i finally painted my rocker cover, looks heaps better now

[Nevakikamukau]

Ok, here's some more .DXF love from Foxau2...

18R-G/18R-GEU Intake Flanges and 18R-G Exhaust Flange as .DXF



18R-G_Flanges.zip (232 KB)

The .ZIP file contains:

• Foxau2's original .DXF drawings
• A consolidated .DXF drawing
• An .AI Illustrator file
• A .PDF version

[EDIT]
I just received my quote from watercutting.com.au for the 2T-G/18R-G Cam Tool (they're just up the road from me).

$110 minimum order. I can fit 6 cam tools in the job.

It's going to be 6-8 working days. I'll put some photos up once they're done, and if anyone's interested, I'm happy to send one for what it cost me ($18.33) + postage.

I'd say they'll fit in a "tough-bag", so postage will be bugger-all.
[/EDIT]

Andrewzuku,

I am interested in purchasing a cam timing tool.

Cheers,
Peter

[andrewzuku]

Cool. I want to put photos up and check it on my engine before asking for any money. I'll PM you and Ian when I get them.

Any mods, feel free to tell me to shut up about it on this tractor engine thread.