D8H worth and what it takes to start.

According to every Cat manual I have, the procedure is to warm the main engine with the throttle closed. After the main is warm enough to run, (it normally will pop a bit with the throttler closed), pull the throttle all the way open to open the spring loaded rack and then move it back to a fast idle as the main takes off. Shut the pony down to an idle and as said shut the fuel off and let the carb run dry. The shutoff switch should be only used for emergencies. The ponies don't hold much oil, not sure exactly how much on your machine but on a D6 it is barely over a quart. Leaving the gas on quickly dilutes the oil as the needle juggles around, while the machine working, and soon after you will need bearing and perhaps a crank. Take a bit of care with them ponies and they are very reliable. On another note the compression release on the main should be in the decompressed mode until the oil pressure comes up.

I hope to see some follow up and pictures,

This sounds like an interesting project.

I'm located in Hicksville and am always willing to lend a hand


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Finally got this project underway and begun firing up all these machines. After making the rounds and collecting 30 or so batteries and trying to get them back to life I've made little progress.
so far i have not gotten very far but so far i got a 980B up and running great.
along with a komatsu WA300
i also was able to start a case 1080b by jumping the starter but i have no in cab electric in the ignition or less were. also no hydrualic control what so ever. I'm guessing my lack of electric and lack of hydraulics are related.

i also have a D6B that should be up and running this weekend just have to throw in a new starter which i have laying around in a parts trailer.

my next machines to get going will probably be two d8hs and two 955 track loaders.
i think the 955s will be no issue but I'm concerned with dumping too much money in the d8h's

my main question is can i drag a D8h on reverse and bump start these things rather then fighting with every single pony motor. i have at least a 500 yard stretch i can drag the machines each way and i can use my running d8h to drag them. Any thoughts on this theory. they should all be power shift i think.

also anyone know a good place to get parts for these old machines. some of the machines were vandalized by local kids supposedly. either way I'm missing like 2 d8h radiators and a 988A radiator and one more radiator out of a old caterpillar wheeled tractor that looks to have been use to tow around a scraper. and i also need an oil pan for a perfectly restored D7 but haven't figured out what year that one is.

There's no way I'd buy parts for a machine that might be a parts machine. Either patch the radiators, or take the hoses off and use a piece of rubber and a hose clamp to seal up the engine. Shut it off when the water temp gets to 200 let it cool back to 170, and see if it starts and drives before putting any cash into it.

I know you can't pull start and machine with a torque converter. The D8H has a torque divider though and I've never tried to pull start one of them. My bet is that you still can't.

Yair . . .

I know you can't pull start and machine with a torque converter.

Click to expand...

Apart from Allis 16's and 21's. They used to advertise the feature.

Cheers.

On a D8H it depends on whether it's a 36A or 46A series 'cause the 36A had a stick tranny.
Mike

I know one thing, if I had them I would never scrap them out. best advice was go to the ACMOC guys and let them know. Those old 8's are very good machines and still quite a few around. For parts they are worth more than scrap prices by far. Get the best ones running if you can. Sounds like enough machines to be able to make a couple good ones at least. You have got a nice little honey hole of machines!!! Lots of old big Cats that have sat for many years that with a little work will fire up and run. No fancy electronics if they get fuel and air, they will run.

may be some pictures of the ol girls