JCB Solite Hydraulic Power Pack.

[S1g 579]

Whilst I'm soaking the Beaver II in freeing oil I thought I'd make some progress with the Solite. All the bolt on parts have now been overhauled, unfortunately some haven't come up quite as nice as I would of liked, however they are not too bad and will surfice until better replacements turn up, which may be some time as Parts for the G400 Honda seem to be very hard to locate, not suprising really though as it was discontinued 30 years ago. Just waiting on a decal for the air shroud.

 Now that the head is off the bore can be seen to be in very good condition, just a little glazed. I would say this machine has done very little work in its life.

[Stormin 4,458]

You've made a superb job of that tank.    Wish I could paint like that.

[S1g 579]

You've made a superb job of that tank.    Wish I could paint like that.

Thankyou for the compliment, however there is a couple of ripples left in it. For painting it I just used a can of vw alpine white from halfords, I wouldn't say there was anything better to the finish to what you archived with your wheel horse.

[S1g 579]

Extracted the engine from the frame today, the one av rubber snaped, but apart from that it lifted out fairly easily, just very heavy for its size of 10 hp. I also removed the oil cooler in the hope that I would find a date on it, unfortunately the label has gone awol. Jcb didn't bother replying to my request for information on the year of my machines, but reading the serial number Ive come to the conclusion its probably from 1983.- Older than my wife! Under the oil cooler housing I found yet more confirmation that this machine is supposed to be yellow. Unfortunatley the exhaust is rotten on the bottom, does anyone have a spare please? Also does anyone have any thoughts on how I can clean the aluminium up on the block as its very corroded.

[Anglo Traction 1,016]

As Norm says, great job on the Tank Gareth and good progress !.

Can't help with the rotten Exhaust and the Crank Case cleaning has no real 'Short Cut'.

 

My effort on the 72 Genset project was all elbow grease  with various grades of Wet or Dry with a 'T' Cut polish,  but perhaps was not in as Bad-a-Condition as yours.

 

To get the powdery white corrosion and dirt off, maybe use the green scouring pads with some Stainless Steel sink (cream) Cleaner mixed with

washing up liquid ( Don't leave it on too long as it will stain the Alloy).  Old Toothbrushes help to get into the awkward areas and rinse off with more soapy water.        

[S1g 579]

As Norm says, great job on the Tank Gareth and good progress !.

Can't help with the rotten Exhaust and the Crank Case cleaning has no real 'Short Cut'.

 

My effort on the 72 Genset project was all elbow grease  with various grades of Wet or Dry with a 'T' Cut polish,  but perhaps was not in as Bad-a-Condition as yours.

 

To get the powdery white corrosion and dirt off, maybe use the green scouring pads with some Stainless Steel sink (cream) Cleaner mixed with

washing up liquid ( Don't leave it on too long as it will stain the Alloy).  Old Toothbrushes help to get into the awkward areas and rinse off with more soapy water.

Thanks for the advice Richard, I will have to give it a go.

I've managed now to source a motorcycle battery that fits into the housing on the frame,- most were either too big or too small, when it arrives I will sort the wiring out and test the starter motor out, if it doesn't work I've got two options, new ones are avaliable for a bit over a £100 or my preferred route is to see if I can strip and overhaul it.

[Anglo Traction 1,016]

Hello Gareth, I don't know if your aware, but some of those Halfords Car Spray paints are not fuel proof.

I would hate for you to see your perfectly finished Fuel Tank ruined by a spillage.

Will be well worth testing on a spare panel piece. If it is not resistant, then use some of their Fuel Proof Lacquer to seal it and the Decals like I did on my ATCO Tank.

 

If you are aware, then forgive my assumption of doubt.

Regards. 

Richard.  

[S1g 579]

Hello Gareth, I don't know if your aware, but some of those Halfords Car Spray paints are not fuel proof.

I would hate for you to see your perfectly finished Fuel Tank ruined by a spillage.

Will be well worth testing on a spare panel piece. If it is not resistant, then use some of their Fuel Proof Lacquer to seal it and the Decals like I did on my ATCO Tank.

 

If you are aware, then forgive my assumption of doubt.

Regards. 

Richard.

Hi Richard, thankyou for raising the matter, I think this colour is ok after a few weeks to set, however I will test an out of sight bit before I fuel the engine just to make sure.

[S1g 579]

Tried to remove the exhaust today, why is there allways one nut that won't come undone? At least it's the top one so I should be able to get the grinder in and split it off.

[S1g 579]

Ever had one of those days when you wish you'd stayed in bed?I got to work just gone 6 am this morning. First thing to go wrong is that in the past some pillock had forced the wrong nut onto the end of the crank holding the flywheel on, therefore when I removed it, most of the crank came with it, result? New crankshaft is now needed. I thought I'd test the starter motor out, but apart from the solenoid it's totally dead. Next I started to remove the pulley off the drive end of the crank, it's moved about an inch but even after plenty of heat applied it still refuses to budge anymore. I also noticed that the cooling fins on the flywheel are broken in places. Now the search is on for another g400 that uses the same crank as new ones are obsolete.

[Stormin 4,458]

That's not good. Hope you find another engine.

[S1g 579]

That's not good. Hope you find another engine.

I've managed to get a lead on a recoil only start engine, will have to see if I can agree a price and if it will have the same crank in it.

[Anglo Traction 1,016]

I think I know where your at with the frustrations of finding problems on a project, whether they are 'Bodges' or 'Let Downs'.

Must be like searching for Needle in a Haystack if you have no Model/Spec to work to. Lets hope one surfaces for you. 

[S1g 579]

I think I know where your at with the frustrations of finding problems on a project, whether they are 'Bodges' or 'Let Downs'.

Must be like searching for Needle in a Haystack if you have no Model/Spec to work to. Lets hope one surfaces for you.

I've got a lot of contacts in the trade, however like me most of them threw away engines like this many years ago as they were just old worthless junk. I'm sure I'll turn one up eventually, it's just very frustrating that it could of been avoided if somebody had only thought through their actions.

[S1g 579]

Managed to get a couple of shots of the chewed up crank, also have now received the gasket set ( only non genuine was available) and the battery.

[Stormin 4,458]

That crank is well chewed.

[S1g 579]

Well the decals are ready, even if the engine isn't.

[S1g 579]

Ive been slowly plodding on with the chasis of this unit. Due to the rheumatism in my hands I can only use the

grinder for a few minutes at a time, but am slowly getting there. On stripping the hydraulics off it ive found yet

more proof it used to be yellow and ive also found that the pump is dated 1983, so this ties in with the serial

number. I still haven't got hold of a replacement engine, but this very nice brochure turned up from Australia.

 

[S1g 579]

Finally! After nearly a month of searching the country Ive managed to purchase another identical engine off ebay. The best news is the starter works perfect and the exhaust is much better than what Ive got. I had to pay strong money for it but it ticks over so smoothly.

 

[Stormin 4,458]

Well done. You'll soon have that tidied up. 

[Anglo Traction 1,016]

Good news on finding one (and a decent one at that) so quick !. Always a bonus to find better parts on it than what you have. 

[S1g 579]

Good news on finding one (and a decent one at that) so quick !. Always a bonus to find better parts on it than what you have.

I was quite relived to turn one up as I can't believe how near extinct the earlier Hondas have become. It was only a couple of years ago that I was throwing engines like this in the skip, guess everyone else must of done the same, hence why I couldn't find one.

I've allready stripped all the outer parts off in readiness to clean the crankcase up, surprise surprise though that the pulley is seized to the crank.

To be honest the working starter was what motivated me to bid on this engine as mine was beyond repair.

[S1g 579]

Managed to make a bit of progress with the engine.Still a long way to go with the rest of the pack.

[Stormin 4,458]

You've not wasted any time. Looking good.

[nigel 1,876]

looks better than new gareth