[TCP]

I'm restoring a vintage of another make.  Been sitting a while, a long while.

Still has oil in the bottom end.  Anyone have any ideas what I should use to clean out the engine case when I dump the oil?  Don't want to use anything that will damage any seals or anything.

Ideas would be appreciated.

Caseman

[bullethead63]

I'd use kerosene or diesel fuel...should get out the sludge,without hurting anything...just my tuppence worth...

[TCP]

Thanks.

I figured the vintage group would have the right answer.

Caseman

[Gunner]

If you can do it outside in a safe, completely safe area..gasoline or diesel works fine. Id stick a bit of chain down into the case, leaving one end firmly tied to the outside..and then after filling with gasoline..fuel...and sitting for a couple hours...swirl the case around, turning it this way and that, letting that bit of chain (dog chain, small chain..but bigger than florescent lamp chain..one needs a bit of weight) move this way and that..and break up the clumps that formed in the corners and whatnot.  After putting the engine back together and running it for a bit, do an oil change and  you will see all manner of nasty stuff come out the drain. Then fill it with your Good oil and have a very fun and safe time!!

Gunner, who putters with old engines now and again.

[TCP]

Thanks Gunner.

this engine sat for 23 years so the gunk level should be significant.

[Gunner]

The gunk is the stuff that has fallen out of the oil and settled to the bottom of the case. My 61 700 Royal Enfield has sat for nearly 40 yrs..and only had about a 1/4" of stuff in the back tank when I probed it with a borescope. Surprisingly little for that length of time...and the quality of oil that it had run in it before it was put into storage.

Gunner

[tooseevee]

         Another idea if you're on speaking terms with a local hardware store guy is to put it on a paint shaker for a few minutes with diesel fuel inside. You have to make a few wooden jigs to clamp to. Then flush, flush, flush. Be very careful if the rods are still attached. 

[TCP]

Thanks Gentlemen

Caseman

[rural earl]

         Another idea if you're on speaking terms with a local hardware store guy is to put it on a paint shaker for a few minutes with diesel fuel inside. You have to make a few wooden jigs to clamp to. Then flush, flush, flush. Be very careful if the rods are still attached. 

This is a good way to be OFF speaking terms at the hardware store...not many of us have a paint shaker that can do anything but shake paint cans.  Maybe the old clamp-style shakers could, but they're getting rare.  My boss would can me without hesitation if I agreed to anything like that.  Just scrub it out, OK?

[TCP]

10 - 4

I would be afraid I would break something putting it in an apparatus such as a paint shaker.  It would apply stresses in unintended directions.

[bob bezin]

i own a paint shaker and would NEVER PUT ANYTHING other than a paint can in it.

[Tom 60 Chief]

Hey Caseman, can I be nosey and ask what other vintage make are you restoring?

[TCP]

Sincere interest is not nosiness.  Not in this group anyway.

I have 2 bikes to restore.

First is a 1969 Triumph Bonnevile chopper - restoration well underway.
Or should I say, I'm neck deep in it.

Second is a 1972 Bonneville OIF - pretty much stock except for slight overage on stock fork length and different handlebars and seat.  This project is not going to start for a while.  At least, not until I get the chopper back in show shape like it was when I bought it back in 1980.