bobcatzack
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2022
- Messages
- 122
As mentioned in prior posts, I have a 1978 Bobcat 632 that I bought a couple of months ago. It starts and runs now but is consuming coolant by the gallons .. with white cloud-like fumes coming off from the exhaust pipe .. then within about 5 minutes running at idle, the coolant level drops (since it evaporates so quickly) and the engine starts heating up!
Being a rookie, I am not sure what is going on but from reading various websites and forums I gather that the head gasket might be blown .. and as such the coolant leaks into the combustion chamber to burn off and evaporate (fast!).
I have no idea how I would be able to do this alone, but contemplating pulling the engine and see if I can get to the head gasket .. and possibly replace it. From experienced folks in this forum, can I get some suggestions for the following:
(1) can the engine be pulled without the hoist that everyone seem to use? I don't have such a hoist and am thinking of creating a wooden platform behind the Bobcat to possibly slide the engine out .. is that even practical?
(2) If I indeed was able to pull the engine out, should I look into actually rebuilding it? If so, is that a very difficult and challenging task? Very expensive?
(3) Any other related advise from experts would be highly appreciated!
MANY THANKS!
Quick Background:
(A) Replaced radiator / radiator hoses (B) Added new electronic ignition distributor / flame thrower (C) New spark plugs (D) New starter (E) New carburetor (F) Compression tests at 110-90-110-110 (G) Engine is always oily from outside with tons of sludge at the bottom (H) Hydraulics seem to be fine - bucket is able to lift and maneuver 900 pound round bales for my horses (I) I realize that I made a bad decision buying this Bobcat, but at this point I feel if I put enough effort (and money!) to get it running correctly, it might be a useful addition to my homestead (I) So far I have about 6K into it.
Being a rookie, I am not sure what is going on but from reading various websites and forums I gather that the head gasket might be blown .. and as such the coolant leaks into the combustion chamber to burn off and evaporate (fast!).
I have no idea how I would be able to do this alone, but contemplating pulling the engine and see if I can get to the head gasket .. and possibly replace it. From experienced folks in this forum, can I get some suggestions for the following:
(1) can the engine be pulled without the hoist that everyone seem to use? I don't have such a hoist and am thinking of creating a wooden platform behind the Bobcat to possibly slide the engine out .. is that even practical?
(2) If I indeed was able to pull the engine out, should I look into actually rebuilding it? If so, is that a very difficult and challenging task? Very expensive?
(3) Any other related advise from experts would be highly appreciated!
MANY THANKS!
Quick Background:
(A) Replaced radiator / radiator hoses (B) Added new electronic ignition distributor / flame thrower (C) New spark plugs (D) New starter (E) New carburetor (F) Compression tests at 110-90-110-110 (G) Engine is always oily from outside with tons of sludge at the bottom (H) Hydraulics seem to be fine - bucket is able to lift and maneuver 900 pound round bales for my horses (I) I realize that I made a bad decision buying this Bobcat, but at this point I feel if I put enough effort (and money!) to get it running correctly, it might be a useful addition to my homestead (I) So far I have about 6K into it.
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