Warbird Information Exchange

Another thought I've had, and also done, is you can remove the heads from the skirts on the engine. Undo all the perimeter stud nuts, 3/8 BS size, and then you should be able to carefully pry the head off. Probably take a bit of force because you'll have to get all the coolant transfer spools to let go, but it should come off. Once you get the heads removed you'll be able to see exactly what you're dealing with in regards to stuck pistons and etc. Might sound a bit crude, however you can take a 4X4 and a mallet and try to knock them loose. Once again, you get the engine turning and they should come the rest of the way off.

Sparrow

If you don't mind, I have a number of questions regarding your engine to give me an idea as to what you are dealing with. What Model Merlin is this engine and does it have one-piece or the later model two-piece head and bank assemblies? Does it have the American SAE50 prop shaft course spline or the British fine spline shaft? And more importantly, is the engine siezed?

The tool you should use in the first place is AT9098 Tool Lifting - Cylinder Assembly or the British HB equivalent. As discussed previously these tools attach to the camshaft tower retaining studs and then push down on the bank retaining studs.

As Sparrow has suggested, use a form of penetrant to soak the pistons/liners. Try diesel as its easily obtainable. Are you able to rotate the the whole engine so as to place each bank in the vertical position? Having worked on these engines for over 22 years, it makes it much easier to carry out bank removal in this position. It is a pain in the butt to pull banks off in the normal inclined position, and even worse to put them back on especially when the engine is in the airframe.

Iy you dont have a tool to siuit the prop shaft to facilitate turning the engine over, try obtaining an old DC3/C47 Hamilton Standard 23E50 prop spider from a prop shop at Bankstown. You can then put a bar into one of the shafts on the spider and "hopefully" turn your beast over.

If you would like further information on thse magnificent (when they are going well!) power plants leave an e-mail address and I will contact you.

Just a thought

Why not get someone who has done this a lot before to do it with you and then you get hands on skills transferance - sounds like a good idea to me and I'm sure someone like Col Pay etc would love to help.

Regards
John P

PS why not take a few pics and post them so we can see what you are dealing with

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Air Vice Marshall
Sunshine State Air Farce

That's why I suggested, in borrowing the tool..you have the pleasure of meeting experience...a first class tipster.
I'll not even mention the obvious saved hours of tool-fab or awaiting delivery from the tool-guy.

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He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
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