Skin Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Hello,would all you mechanics out there please advise me on unsiezing a Saracen engine.I am a mechanic but would like to welcome a few diffrent opinions. The vehicle has stood in a museum for the last 25 years plugs in, in the dry, oil in tank.A gallon of derv has been put into the bores a few months ago. Shall I try and free it and how,then attempt to start or should I strip the head off to start with? Thanks Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Elsdon Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Can you get a handcrank into the engine on a Saracen, try and give it a turn over bit by bit until it starts to feel free, preferably with the plugs out, and try some oil in with the derv, if it starts moving, turn it with the starter a good number of times, and get some oil around the engine, then connect all the plugs up make sure its all gapped right and get it started! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 OH Happy Days! In my childhood I worked for Avation Jersey for a short while. Got told I had to turn all the standing engines a hundred times a day by hand to stop them seizing. If it has sat in diseil , I'd then try the hot oil trick without plugs and turn it over, then take the head off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirhc Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 My Ferret had sat for a long time before I got it. It didn't turn over so sprayed WD40 down the bores for a couple of days, then tried turning it over again. When it was free I cleaned the points, put some fuel in it and away it went. Never had a problem since. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chappers Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Paraffin will help it seems to work better than diesel for some reason. leave it for a couple of days and then a large socket set on the crank nut will usually help move the pistons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Chappers! Have you seen the size of the nut on the end? (AND I don't mean the handle!) Mind you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirhc Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I have a socket which fits that nut, they are easy enough to get hold of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Child Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 I have a socket which fits that nut, they are easy enough to get hold of. King Dick do some big sockets. I've just bought some from an online retailer called Lawson-HIS. The bonus is they still do big sockets in whitworth sizes, which seem to have been dropped by most companies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 If you manage to source a hand-crank or equivalent, please let me know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil P Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Just spotted this posting. Diesel and parrafin 50:50 shifts most things that are stuck from standing. Even 1400x20 tyres that have been on 20 years give in to it. When you have got it free DON'T fire it up or attempt to. Drain the oil and diesel/parrafin mix out of the sump. Pour some fresh oil in to the sump and prime the oil filter. The advantage of pouring in fresh oil is it gets on the cam lobes. It is possible to destroy them if they are dry. Crank the engine over on the starter for no more than 30 seconds without the plugs in and then wait a couple of minutes before you do it again. Starter motors need a little love to!! Make sure you have got oil pressure a spark and fuel. Stick the plugs in and go for it. Don't be suprised if the exhaust starts to blow. All the acid etc mixed with condensation ain't good for steel. Water leaks are common when vehicles have stood for a while. We have just got a 1946 Guy Vixant running. The Meadows petrol engine last ran in 1959. It fired up after 20 minutes of careful preperation and ran perfectly. Even the dynamo charged. Best of luck. Phil P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croc Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Another trick is to flush the block with hot water to warm it up and expand everthing. Using a small water cooled engine and plumbing the siezed engine in instead of a radiator works even better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gritineye Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Never heard of that one before croc, a pretty cunning plan if you ask me, :thumbsup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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