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Ford 9N, 2N & 8N Discussion Forum
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OT: New Project - Restore old ONAN 4kw

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Ramrod

10-04-2005 08:54:36




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I got a freebie. The ONAN GFA ('78 vintage) 4kw RV genset was locked up, but it spins now that I cleaned the piles of rust and carbon out of the cylinders. It was left with some minor pitting in the sleeves, but it does turn over easily by hand with the heads off. Can I expect this thing to run reliably with the pitting, or will mission creep take over this project and force a complete restoration? It is an air cooled aluminum two cylinder (opposing) engine, looks like a BMW cycle engine...

TIA,
Ramrod

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OK-AL

10-04-2005 20:05:44




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 Re: OT: New Project - Restore old ONAN 4kw in reply to Ramrod, 10-04-2005 08:54:36  
Be very careful before you get too far into this project. Find out how much parts will cost before you start any machine work.

I've got a late '70's Onan and needed a carb rebuild kit. Went to Cummin's diesel (Cummins bought Onan several years ago.) A carb rebuild kit was $220.00 !!!! The parts guy told me that a new carb (not rebuilt) was only $280.00. I told him to forget it, took the carb apart and carefully cleaned it and put it back together. It's still running after two years.

Sometimes a free engine can cost you more than a new one. Don't ask me how I know...

OK-AL

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Ramrod

10-05-2005 07:33:09




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 Re: OT: New Project - Restore old ONAN 4kw in reply to OK-AL, 10-04-2005 20:05:44  
Yep, I am finding that out. Those old ONAN parts are real pricey, but they can be found on eBay. I've got about $125 into it now, and I expect it to run as soon as I convince a pair of broken bolts to come out.

Ramrod



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Dan

10-04-2005 11:15:32




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 Re: OT: New Project - Restore old ONAN 4kw in reply to Ramrod, 10-04-2005 08:54:36  
Yep - it'll run, but probably smoke like crazy as is. I would hone the cylinder walls down if you can and find some oversized rings. But - knowing you, it will be torn down to bare block in a few weeks and brand new sleeves installed :-)

Congrats on the find, and good luck with the new project. BTW - where are you on Old Warrior?

Dan



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Ramrod

10-04-2005 11:43:02




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 Re: OT: New Project - Restore old ONAN 4kw in reply to Dan, 10-04-2005 11:15:32  
OW is waiting on paint for the sheet metal and the power steering pump bracket. I have to fabricate the bracket and prep the sheet metal, both jobs I dislike, so I wait for the mood to strike me.

Ramrod



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corvette8n

10-04-2005 09:14:50




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 Re: OT: New Project - Restore old ONAN 4kw in reply to Ramrod, 10-04-2005 08:54:36  
You might get away with lightly honing the cylinders and putting in new rings.



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