Setback with the cylinder -it’s got to come off....

I managed to strip one of the threads on a cylinder stud - I guess I was tightening them up too much - I thought maybe a new stud would do the trick, but when I fitted the new stud , it’s still not tightening properly - the thread in the boiler must be damaged. I have done the same on one just below the rear cover, but that one won’t even unscrew fully - I don’t know what’s going on....but I know that I will have to remove the cylinder to take a look, and maybe the next step is helicoil....very dissapointing, as I thought everything was going well.....

Talk with STW before you do anything.

My friend had two damaged/ striped holes in the boiler so i made 2 custom studs one end with the metric end for the clyinder nut and the other end with a taperd imperial end . We drilled the hole in the block slightly bigger to clear the new stud put it together and everything was fine
So dont panic it can be repaired

Thanks Lynn and Mark - I will phone Will on Monday and see what he advises.

My project was on hold for a little while as I removed the cylinder, after speaking to Will,  but found that I had damaged a few of the threads and three studs would not come out. I felt a bit out of my depth and decided to ask Will if I could bring the boiler to them to get the issue sorted. So a couple of weeks ago I took it there and Ian kindly sorted the issues, helicoiled where necessary and re-mounted the cylinder.

Thank you very much to Will, Dean and Ian for getting me out of trouble. I went back to the factory on Wednesday and Will gave me a guided tour and then the boiler was loaded into my boot and it’s all back in my garage now and ready to put some parts back on.

I really do sympathise with you! Stripping boiler threads is everyones worst nightmare.

It was my own fault - I saw that there would be huge pressure in the boiler and was obviously a bit over-eager to ensure all was well sealed !!   -  I am more used to cars and motorbikes where there is often a specific torque setting for fasteners.

I have a LOT to learn about "steam"........My traction engine build is the slowest vehicle project that I have undertaken.

This was the fastest - an Ultima GTR... 570hp.... 0-60 in under 3 seconds.

 

milford59 wrote:

I have a LOT to learn about "steam"........My traction engine build is the slowest vehicle project that I have undertaken.

But I think you'll find one of the most satisfying to run due to all that goes into not only getting it going, but keeping it going, it will make turning a key and off you go seem such a simplistic thing
You'll be surprised how little stuff needs to be done up if the mating surfaces are good and gaskets are good, my advice is to nip up and then if it leaks sort it then rather than tighten stuff down hard first off with the risk of causing damage. I know I've got a couple of stripped threads on my rear cylinder end plate, it weeped a bit but then soon sealed up.
I always grimace when I see folks tightening down a M6 bolt with a 1/2 inch ratchet
Nice GTR by the way

Some good advice there - thank you very much.

I always tighten up M6 bolts with just a 4" ring or open ended spanner using no more strength than my wrist! The same really goes for M8 although I may stretch to a 6" after some thought!!
Greg