|
maestro, I had sticking starter valve problems on my TD-6 that I was able to successfully fix without removing the head (with the help of the Red Power boys). My symptoms were similar, started and ran poorly and missed until if finally warmed up. But didn't have great power (because the compression was way too low). The Unforgiven's advice is good. I used a lot of WD-40 on top AND through the holes in side of the head. Which required the manifolds to be removed, not that big of a deal. You can see the starter valve stems through the side of the head. Once I was able to get any movement at all I just kept at it until the valve was good and free. I also had to pull the rocker arm and remove the caps from the top of the starter valves. As I recall, three of the four valves were stuck or sticking.
To be honest, if you are careful, you can grab the top of the starting valves with a pair of vice grips to get some initial movement. Seems brutal, but really, these only open and close a single time during the start cycle. They really don't function anything link your normal intake and exhaust valve although they are of similar design. BTW, I think the main cause of this problem is leaving the starting lever in the starting position when the engine is off because that leaves the starting valves in the open position with the valve springs compressed. And that is where they end up stuck. I had injector pump problems on mine, but once I got everything fixed up and running, I worked the crap out of mine (and yours truly) pushing dirt hard, and to be honest, was pretty impressed with the old girl. A 1949 model. Good luck, Larry
| 
