Rumely Oil Pull Starting Tank Radiator

• Rumely gaskets

Right now I am only going by my Dad's recollection from 40+ years ago on whether or not it was actually leaking. I have not filled it with oil yet to see. Wanted to avoid the mess in case I do end up taking it apart.

I talked to Brian at Odie's, and he was very helpful. I have a set of gaskets coming my way in case I need them.

I am first going to try to pressure check the entire thing. Brian instucted me how to check each sheet, but I am going to see if any evident problem persists without taking it apart first. After removing the two large stay bolts, I made block off plates to go over each hole (4 total). In one of them, I drilled and tapped a hole for an air chuck to snap onto. I connected each pair with a piece of 36" all thread rod.

Then I put a "dab" of silicone over each vent hole at the top of every sheet. (I will be able to pull it loose after my test.) Sometime today (time permitting), I will regulate my compressor down to 5 psi, connect my quick coupling, and check for leaks with a spray bottle of soapy water.

I have no idea whether or not this method will work or not, but if it proves successful it might save me from pulling the radiator apart. It not, well, I have gaskets coming in the mail. I understand your point about not using a thicker gasket. There isn't much room for error.

Whether or not this is enough to allow oil to seep out, I'm not sure, but I think I am going to try it. Obviously, air is thinner than oil, so the viscosity may be enough to prevent it from leaking. Along with the fact that it won't be carrying a 5 psi pressure.

Another relavent fact is the caps I made to cover the ends are just flat with rubber bonded to them. They are not "cup" shaped like the caps on the original stay bolts. They do not provide proper clamping like the original caps will.

I don't have much to lose by filling it with oil and checking for leaks. I can always drain it out if I need to.

Correct me if I'm wrong but the Lightweights have an extra tank out front to allow for expansion, which would explain why they are not vented?

The gaskets arrived today from Odie's just in case...

By the way, I checked out your website last night. I must say, I am very impressed!!! It didn't take me long to realize I was conferring with an expert here. Is that by chance some of Wendell Kelch's stuff in the photos? I don't know him personally, but I have seen his tractors at Rushville and Yellow Springs, OH.

By putting pepper in one of these tractors won't make it "sneeze" more often will it ? :)

The Rumely Oil Pull caught my eye.

Every one, who loves old tractors, should have a look at Craig's Machine Shop 'Site - there are some wonderful early, early, Internal Combustion Engine tractors - repeating it from earlier Post:

www.andersonofrosholt.com

Nope, I am not getting a commission - I am from way up in Atlantic Canada, with a weakness for great old machinery...

Cheers
Pat from New Brunswick