Reply To: ’57 Fastwin mystery – please help

[andy]

Bill,
This motor ran perfectly when I stored it in 2017. Then in 2018 when I found it locked up, I easily got it free, then ran it on the hose for a while and it ran great. Two weeks later, it was locked up again. I freed it up again easily last Saturday. My theory is the inner exhaust cover has a pinhole that allowed a small amount of water into a cylinder causing a ring or two to stick. If that’s correct, the crank might be just fine. My current plan is to confirm or deny a bad inner exhaust cover and reevaluate. I was able to remove the rear lower motor cover which allows access to the bottom two bolts that fasten the exhaust cover. The top 3 bolts came out but the other 6 won’t budge even after soaking for 3 days. I’m considering experimenting with some muriatic acid. My theory is the aluminum oxide from the exhaust cover is preventing the penetrating oil from getting to the threads. I plan to apply a small amount of acid to the base of the bolt head in the hopes of dissolving the aluminum oxide. Has anyone tried this?

'48 Zephyr, restored '06, runs great
'54 Fastwin, restored '09, runs great
'57 Fastwin, unrestored, locked up in 2018