This is a continuation of the first part of this story.
After soaking the cylinders with penetrating oil for two weeks and applying lots of torque to the prop shaft with no results, I put plan “B” into effect.
Plan “B” is to remove the crankshaft and then remove the cylinder blocks with the pistons stuck inside. This way I can remove each piston with hydraulic force through a spark plug hole. I know that I can fill each cylinder with oil and pump more oil in with a grease gun connected to a bushing in a spark plug hole.
Once upright, I removed the magneto drive and mount box and oil pump. Next, I removed the tension nuts on the through studs. These studs hold the main bearings tight and reinforce the block. Next, I removed the nuts from the surrounding studs that hold the halves together.
A little tap with a block of wood, and the case came apart. I had to wiggle the lower half off the through studs. Both the upper and lower halves have studs — some with the nuts on the top, others at the bottom. In the picture above you can see two studs on either side of the rear main roller bearing.
The good news so far is that these is oil on everything made of steel, protecting it from rust.
Almost everything. These four studs are pretty rusty.
Once the crankshaft is out and the cylinder blocks are removed, the crankcase to a specialty shop for inspection.
The second engine will be on the engine after this one is apart and out for inspection.
Fuselage update
Last week we loaded the fuselage and tail feathers on a truck bound for a shop in Pennsylvania where the Wright H-2 engine will be used to get the new cowling and radiator fitted.
The fuselage will receive new linen fabric that was made to original specifications.
All of the original wing panels are falling apart and have dry rot everywhere. The new wings are 100% new wood made to factory drawings and specs. The craftsman is using modern epoxy glue that has tested stronger than the wood itself. Once the wings are out of the woodworker’s shop they will be shipped to the same shop for fabric covering.
The upper and lower center wing sections are finished and will be on the way to mate with the fuselage this week. They will get upper and lower struts and cross bracing. The Bristol F2.b is somewhat unusual in that the lower wing is continuous and mounts a few inches under the fuselage.
Continued at part 3