I did it! Here's how it went...
Attempt 1: (Highlighting my lack of carpentry skills...)
This was the plan. Build something which would screw into the top crankcase holes and allow me to flip the engine on it's head, without having to remove the studs or have weight resting on them. Apologies for the terrible drawing...anyways I went to the store and picked up some M6 bolts and a 2x4. Here's where it got me.
A decent idea, in theory, maybe, but plagued by a lack of patience, skill, and forethought. I was rushed, frustrated, and unhappy with how this was coming out. I couldn't for the life of me get all those wholes to line up because I was rushing and measuring so haphazardly. I am sure the above will be of much disgust to you more experienced fabricators. Discouraged, I went to bed.
Attempt 2: (Now we're talking!)
I woke up the next day ready to tackle this bad boy. I had a new found respect for the drill and chop saw. With some patience, I knew I'd be able to get this done. The bolt idea was pretty bad. I was not happy putting the entire weight of the engine on those small threads. I came up with a new, simpler plan to rest the engine on a spot between the connecting rods, in between the studs, and a flat spot towards the back of the engine. I had used most of my 2x4 on the previous bad idea but did what I could with the scraps.
I added some legs to stabilize.
Test fitting.
I then placed the make-shift stand on the ground, carefully flipped the engine, and set her down. Voila!
What an AWESOME feeling! Yes, it may not be the sturdiest. Yes, it was not that difficult to build. Yes, there are most certainly better designs and engine stands. But most importantly, this one was MINE! And it WORKED!! Thank you grcamna for the idea. I will would've had the thing sitting on apple boxes if it weren't for you!
Now onto the disassembly. The crankshaft came out without much trouble.
I removed the connecting rods, timing chains, and gears.
Then onto the shift arms and mechanism.
And that was about it!
The cases were split and the stand served me well. It wasn't the most secure thing in the world but it allowed me to do a job I otherwise wouldn't have been able to. Here is the completed "Honda in a box" ...
She's looking pretty good! This is as far apart as she will (and possibly can) get. I am excited to have this phase "Completed" - now I move on to inspection, restoration, and then reassembly. Exciting! Thank you ALL for sticking with me this long. That crankcase split was far from perfect and at times I really felt like a babbling idiot. Nonetheless, here we are. More to come!
