Car Maintenance

355's brass latches have been meticulously upgraded with new springs and polished to a mirror shine by Bob. Here he installs one onto a frame in the car.

January 8, 2007

July 23, 2006

A volunteer rebuilt the flathead Ford V-8 engine for our Brookville gas-mechanical locomotive. Working with other volunteers it has now been reinstalled.

Volunteers use a borrowed service truck to place the rebuilt engine back in the Brookville.

Photos: Chuck K

February 26, 2005

Our personnel have worried about the health of our Bobcat skid loader for many months, as its engine was knocking significantly at certain times. At our 2005 budget meeting, we took the proactive step of budgeting for potential repairs to this critical piece of work equipment. After consultations with multiple volunteers, we agreed that a rod bearing was failing and that it made sense to repair the engine before it failed catastrophically and damaged its block.

Volunteers have removed the Ford 1.6L gas engine to prepare it for a visit to a machine shop for major surgery. Repairs are estimated at $2000.

The engine sits outside the machine.

May 18-20, 2005

We mentioned before the necessity to rebuild the engine of our Bobcat skid loader. Like most projects we undertake, that one expanded during execution. The crankshaft was ground, cylinders bored, and line bore and rods checked. The block, head, and crank were magnafluxed. New pistons, rings, crank and rod bearings, tappets, pushrods, a camshaft and bearings, an oil pump, and timing chain and tensioner were installed. The head received Stellite valve seats and new valve guides (since it was designed for leaded gasoline). The ring gear, battery, filters, belts, and hoses were all replaced. The starter, alternator, and carburetor were rebuilt. A block heater was installed to ease cold weather starting. The steering linkage was even overhauled so the machine sits still while running. The project came in slightly under budget, and everyone who has operated the machine feels it was a worthwhile investment. Hopefully we will get many years of further service from the useful machine!

Compare this freshly painted engine to the one shown in an earlier 2005 news item!