My next project

[Nick]

I have another project now that my first major is finished.
It is a 1958 major that has live drive and a super major engine with the minimec pump. Its got FL printed on the side of the head, what does this mean?
Ive got the brakes unseized, clutch linkage unseized, and the engine is seized solid, ive had diesel down the bores for months and its still solid, so re-build it is.
Whats the easiest way of getting the old pistons out without damaging the conrods?
Its quite nice because its been in the family since it was new, and we have the original buff logbook for it!
Its been sat outside for 15years with no inlet manifold pipe so thats why its seized.
I will try and get some pictures up soon so you can all see what im up against!
I must be mad.

[Brian]

FL denotes improved breathing by changes in the inlet porting and valves. It should also have heavier valve springs. If it is a complete New Performance engine it will be 54hp.

A method of freeing stuck engines I have seen proposed but never tried, is to light a fire on top of the piston using rag and diesel, let it cool then drive the piston down with a block of wood, turning the crank at the same time.

[Nick]

54hp! wow! i think its going to be a nightmare getting the pistons out, the bores are really rusted up.
might try lighting a fire though, could be fun.
I will upload some pictures later, combining at the mo, just on lunch

[Steven B]

Nick

I would go about it as follows.

Strip the engine and remove the crank just leaving the pistons and rod behind.

Sit the block upright on blocks of solid timber on a concrete floor.

Hone out the top portion of the cylinder walls.

Tip the motor upside down and scuff up the lower portion of the cylinders with coarse grit sand paper to remove what rust you can and then fill them with diesel. Leave for a few days.

Tip the right way up and fill with diesel for a few days.

Get a large block of wood and hammer the pistons down without them popping out of the bottom of the cylinder.

Hone the bores as far as you can.

Turn the motor over and hammer the pistons out.

Give it a go. This way you are only fighting one cylinder at a time instead of all 4.

Steve

[super6954]

Hi Sounds like you have another good project on the go. i would try what has been sujested in the other post to free that motor with honing and diesel but do not waiste to much time on it. you may find that the liners and pistons are stuffed when you get the pistons out. The rust will eat into the sleeves where the piston and rings sit and also the rings may be corrosion welded into the pistons .
I Had one like that a couple of years ago To get that apart I had to get the crank out which was a pig as it didnt stop so it was easy to get the big end caps off. But when i did I had it on blocks and then pounded the sleeve piston and rod out as 1 unit (not easy if the sleeves are real tight ). as I needed to re use the rods again I cut the sleeves with the good old 9'' grinder and split them to get the pistons out to remove the pin.
I hope you get lucky with freeing her and you can clean her up and re use some of the parts.
Regards Robert

[Nick]

i think its gone past repairing the liners are almost rusted through where the water was sat so im not hopeful. having issues getting pictures on to my computer from my phone, hopefully soon.