Cylinder fitting

I am planning my Christmas workshop time, I have the cylinder and the fittings kit and have two thoughts.

First of all, the studs. Some people have left them at full height others are flush with the nuts. Those whose are flush, did you cut each one?

Secondly, it would seem a good idea to fit the pistons etc whilst it is on the bench. Can anyone see a reason why this can't be done?

All the best to you all

Simon

Hi Simon,

I can't see any reason why you couldn't fit the pistons on the bench but it could encourage a bit of rough handling if the block has to go and come off a few times, as mine had too. It's easier to get hold of the block through the bores empty and your wouldn't be tempted to grab the piston rods by accident if you get caught off balance as it were.

I cut off each stud in turn after it a few days of torqueing up the nuts as the foliac squeezed out. Then dremmelled each one to round and smooth them off. It's a bit of a bind to do but not difficult - just takes time.

Rick

Defo. Leave the pistons etc/off is thinks are heavy enough and as said above no temptation to grab something that could bend or bite!

Thankyou both, the weight and handling issue seems to tip the balance in favour of assembly on the engine itself.

All the best and Lynn hope you are managing to cope with the non-steaming withdrawal symptoms!

Simon

Hi Simon.

Yes just about coping with out steam. Tempered by the -5 current weekly average night time temps. A draw back of living in the far north.

I was disscussing the fitting pistons issue with The Coleman yesterday as he has reached that stage, as I said to him mine only went in with the piston rings in April this year once I was sure they wouldnt need to come out. As Lynn will confirm it can be a right pig of a job if you need to take them out and the rings are on and there is no need to fit them till you are certain that they can stay in. As they can be easily screwed into the crossheads at any time that could feasibly be the morning of the first steaming!!! if you wanted to be really cautious. There is no point in making things more difficult than they really need to be. You can align all the slide bar and crosshead arrangment without them having the rings on.

Andy will also confirm that we didnt fit the crank properly until after the water pump had arrived as again there is no need to make the already restricted working space more tight although as others will happily confirm the pump can be fitted with the crank insitu but again lets make life easy

I set up my slidebars without the piston rings on, makes it much easier to set the crossheads to slide smoothly.

With the rings on there is a lot more friction to overcome so impossible to tell if its a slidebar too tight or its just the rings.

Worked for me

Hope that helps

Kev

Thanks for the tips, I like an easy life and if things can be fitted and removed the minimum number of times it reduces the risk of damage.....saving more time.

When fitting the cylinder to the boiler do u use both gaskets or just 1, is 1 a spare? Merry Xmas to everybody

Mike,
As far as I remember, you use two gaskets, I know I certainly did!........... Cover both sides of each gasket & boiler & cylinder surfaces with foliac & bolt it all up.
Regards,
Tony

Use both with a good even layer of gunk between

That's great I can get on and do that this morning, that's 1 good thing with this forum it don't take long for a good answer from some good people, thanx again and merry xmas