Krusty

Thanks again for the wisdom. Got it out into the woods today. Carb could use a rebuild I think but maybe in the summer. Have some firewood to cut!

Oh yes the comment on lack of headroom....i was making myself disappear as I do not like to be visible in internet photos! Lots of headroom otherwise. Just wiring up the engine today. New plugs, wires and core wiring for it. The previous was a spaghetti mess. Couple questions though.... 1) any idea what the lower part is on the carb? This carb came off a governed engine and plan to remove it. 2) anyone know a part number for an oil filter in the housing? 3) anyone have a part number for the exhaust manifold gasket to exhaust pipe? Being in canada I cant easily order from the most excellent guys who specialize in this stuff, but have to call my local auto parts store with actual fram, felpro part number etc. Our napa here is pretty lame too. They always ask what its for, and while my local auto parts store guys are awesome and make a big effort to order me in parts, their systems dont likely show 1963 bombardier ram skidder as an available vehicle!

I dont disagree, but it did not make sense when I opened it up. Any idea what model it is?

Day 2 of the transplant. Yesterday got the tranny out and removed as much as I could from the engine in the vehicle. Today lifted it out. Note to self, build 2000 sq ft shop. Once the engine was out I had 3" of greasy leaves to remove from the bottom of the tub. Still have the back half to do tomorrow. Stripped the goodies from the seized block and started to transfer the bellhousing onto the donor engine before dinner. Should get it ready for install tomorrow with a bit of free time. The donor engine has an SAE flywheel housing on it, maybe #3 or #4 as I did not measure it.

Woah....this is deja vu as I was going to ask that exact same question! You can see my other thread on a bombardier ram skidder. It is a 2 speed tranny plus reverse. I have that exact tranny and would love to know what it is. The shift is L N H, using the side lever, and once in neutral you can pull the top lever forward and it will allow you to use the side lever to engage reverse. I popped the top off mine for an inspection and it was nice and clean inside.

Sorry gang for the late reply. Bombardier built a lot of weird stuff in the day. This is similar to the J5 model that is much more widely available. They evolved into narrower tracked sidewalk plows. It sat outside till yesterday when I pushed it into my garage. Got 6" of snow overnite and am taking the existing engine out today. I put a cocktail of fluids into the plug holes but it did not free up. Found a great replacement 251 within a 10 hour drive. Was from a rebuilt aircraft ground generator. Back to the Ram Skidder, it has a big PTO driven winch. Some sort of side shift tranny that I have yet to get to. A very odd transfer case in the back. Once I get the engine swapped, the wheel bearings will need a servicing and then hopefully ready for a ride. What is the proper way to remove and install the front crankshaft pulley? Mine will need to be swapped to mate with the front crankshaft driven hydraulic pump. Also my donor engine comes with some sort of governor that I will never use incase someone has need. Here are a few more pics.....

Hi gang, Got myself another 251 powered project. This is a 64 Bombardier ram skidder. Very few were made. It is rough but you know, I always wanted one. Thankfully complete. Engine is stuck but not exposed to rain so may free up easy.

A Chebbie....love it! Problem is I love all old stuff. Not a particular brand. Plan is to put a 3-53 into that Chebbie this summer and build a flatbed dump on her. @RCrombiewe could almost be neighbors! As you are aware, our snowfall in Ottawa was a tad lame this year. Next year I will be properly prepared though I could not find a tractor with a cab under 10,000 locally that was functional. Nothing worse than my B414 blowing snow with a gust of wind changing direction and putting it all into my face. This old baby was less than 2k canadian pesos so I could not refuse. 70 bucks in ignition parts and it should be good for a few years

Took the boys for a little ride today. Fortunately (for me, not them) we are pretty much out of snow. Peeked into the box of parts that was on the bench seat. Was full of new ignition stuff.....go figure. Thanks for all of your help! Will post a vid this coming Dec when the snow flies again

Yes it has the hydraulic pump and the tank was low so added fluid. Might need to run for a few to work its way through the system. Plan to change the oil after lunch and then take the kids for a ride. Will get it moved out of the way while I finish the tuneup and fluid checks over the warmer weather.

@Los_Controlone thing I noticed from the pic was the #1 rotor position was off a bit. Motor had been rebuilt at some point. I used the #6 tdc technique that was suggested as you did. Heck considering I just saved 2k on a rebuild I better go take that $$ and buy another classic it always irks me how people bastardize an ignition system. When I got this one side of the distrib was missing the hold down clip and the owner used a zip tie.

Did some more forum reading and someone on another thread said when in doubt go over it again. My spidy sense said ignition but I could not figure it out. So I did go over it all again. Adjusted the points gap and........ Might need a new water pump as there is some noise there but it purrs! Next will be an oil change as I tossed a fair amount of gas down the carb trying to get it to fire. Would have had a cold one to celebrate but -13c windchill was enough for me today. Thanks for all the tidbits! There is nothing more exciting than getting a super deal on an old machine.

Well this has me stumped. I love old machines and this is the first one I cannot get to fire for the life of me. Got TDC and confirmed the plug wiring, adjusted the distributor either way a few degrees at a time and nothing with ether or gasoline. Lots of great spark. Going to pop the carb off and make sure there is no dead mouse stuffed down there restricting air or something. I can pour fuel and shot of ether to no avail! Grrrrrrrr......

Plugs are new. Spark is good. Timing could always be off slightly but even if so, would have thought it would have at least fired, or backfired. Not sure what else to look for at this point. Ignition circuit is on a separate battery.

I think I did not make it clear. It only has 75 psi and will not fire, hence why it is coming out. Maybe if it was summer it would fire, but not at the current temps hovering arojnd freezing. Spark is good, gas down the carb or ether does nothing to get er going.