Re: 1939 Sea King / Thor barrel test

[PM T2]

Glad you got it to run.

FWIW – in future, consider running in small rebuilt powerheads like the Thor on a lathe prior to actually trying to start them…. especially if you’ve installed new bearings to support the crankshaft. Use a molybdenum-based break-in oil to lubricate the cylinder walls if you wish, but you "may" want to disassemble the powerhead after doing so and wash it out real well. Or, you can flush the assembly out with solvent and accomplish basically the same thing. Run-in time gets rings seated ahead of initial starting attempts. Just sayin’.

As I recall, the end of the cylinder got pretty hot on my 1937-ish Thor as well. They don’t spit much water, even when the pump is working at its best.

Another FWIW – it bothers me when drills are used to start motors. If it doesn’t start with a rope, then you’re doing something wrong, and haven’t solved the hard-start root cause. If the original manufacturer didn’t package a drill along with the motor to use as a starting aid….. etc etc….. but what do I know…..

Good luck with the Thor, at least it sounds promising now that its run for a bit.

Best,
PM T2

He's livin' in his own private Idaho..... I hope to go out quietly in my sleep, like my grand-dad did..... and not screaming, like the passengers in his car...