Topic: Early Sandcast Found......

[BenelliSEI]

Vapor blasting looks to be top shelf work! That fellow’s shop sounds like a place that would be fantastic to hang out and watch the fellow work if he didn’t mind your presence. The old ways and skills of a lot of old machinists and other craftsmen is fascinating to watch… sometimes you see the logic in their steps and learn new ways to approach things. Often these guys apprenticed with guys and you see generations of knowledge in action. When I was starting out in product engineering after college I got to hang out with a few machinists and a facilities maintenance guy and I enjoyed learning from the old guard. It opened my eyes to different solutions and the one machinist did maintenance and refurbishment and periodic rebuilds on some of our equipment that was probably 75 years old then, mid 80s.
Lost artisan ways…

David.... this guy is really fascinating. Built his first Chopper when he was 16, in his parent’s basement. Next one (he still has it) used a GL1000 drive train. Two small radiators under the side cover (scoops like on a jet aircraft), including small fans under the seat! Ceiling of the shop is filled with radio controllerd aircraft that he builds too! Next time, I will take photos.

[denward17]

It’s pouring here today but all is well.
That shop sounds great.

Your weather goes down the Drains! Photos of head. Spotless.....

That head looks great, do you plan to paint?

[BenelliSEI]

It’s pouring here today but all is well.
That shop sounds great.

Your weather goes down the Drains! Photos of head. Spotless.....

That head looks great, do you plan to paint?

Yes..... originally they had a light coat. Will do the same. I use the Duplicolor 1615 engine paint. Very close to original....

[denward17]

^^^ Beautiful...

[Stev-o]

It’s pouring here today but all is well.
That shop sounds great.

Your weather goes down the Drains! Photos of head. Spotless.....

That head looks great, do you plan to paint?

Vapor blasting is the absolute best way to "refinish" aluminum, I have done at least two motors plus numerous parts. I painted the Honda motor but let the Kawasaki H2 motor "naked" as that is the way it came from the factory in '74. I sent the motor [case, 3 cylinders and 3 heads] to member Nils in AZ and he did a great job for a reasonable price [sadly, he has since closed his shop down].  After 3+ years, the motor still looks great.   

[BenelliSEI]

Thanks, the K0 is gone now, but hope the S/C will look as good

Steve..... that bare top end looks great! My cases need paint, so I’ll have to “dust” the top to match.

[Stev-o]

Thanks, the K0 is gone now, but hope the S/C will look as good

Steve..... that bare top end looks great! My cases need paint, so I’ll have to “dust” the top to match.

Thanks John.  I would do the same, paint the entire engine.  Did you ask about prep before paint? Sometimes VB can leave a light residue.  I dont recall what I did on my Honda motor that I painted, maybe nothing?

[BenelliSEI]

Thanks, the K0 is gone now, but hope the S/C will look as good

Steve..... that bare top end looks great! My cases need paint, so I’ll have to “dust” the top to match.

Thanks John.  I would do the same, paint the entire engine.  Did you ask about prep before paint? Sometimes VB can leave a light residue.  I dont recall what I did on my Honda motor that I painted, maybe nothing?

I think after I lap the valves in, I’m going to put a storage tote in the bath tub and give it a hot water and lots of dishwashing liquid “bath” with a really good scrub. Can’t hurt....

[BenelliSEI]

Tried lapping in valves this morning. Shop was too “cool” and the suction cup just wouldn’t stick to the  valve faces!! Outside temp is -21 degrees Celsius. Heating up the parts, bench, and shop. Will try again later...... Frostbite weather.

[Shtonecb500]

Tried lapping in valves this morning. Shop was too “cool” and the suction cup just wouldn’t stick to the  valve faces!! Outside temp is -21 degrees Celsius. Heating up the parts, bench, and shop. Will try again later...... Frostbite weather.

2 weeks of cold in Detroit have me looking for second hand kerosene heaters for the garage so i can accomplish something.

[PeWe]

Tried lapping in valves this morning. Shop was too “cool” and the suction cup just wouldn’t stick to the  valve faces!! Outside temp is -21 degrees Celsius. Heating up the parts, bench, and shop. Will try again later...... Frostbite weather.

Bring it into the kitchen
Your head is cleaner than a frying pan

[BenelliSEI]

When down there this aft and just gave up. It was even cooler. Suppose to warm up a bit by Sunday...

[BenelliSEI]

Very lightly lapped in the valves to #1 today. Screwed in a plug, flipped it over and filled the chamber with clean varsol. Went back in 10 minutes, not a drop of seep. Also checked and cleared every tapped hole in the head.

Despite the claims of the Vapour Blasting Shop, there was a bit of crap in the bottom of every blind hole. Blew them all out, but also checked to see if the head fits in my “new to me” ultra sonic tank. I’m going to strip those valves out again, and lay the head up side down in the tank basket for an hour “buzz”. I want this thing spotless.

[denward17]

Nice!

That head is going to be so clean......

[BenelliSEI]

Nice!

That head is going to be so clean......

Did it today and it worked well! Finish lapping valves and assemble head tomorrow.

[PeWe]

Much blasting media in the tank?

[BenelliSEI]

Much blasting media in the tank?

Per..... not really. I think what was stuck in all the threaded holes was old dirt that got “packed” in by the vapour blasting. I dug around in each spot with a long, sharp point, turned it upside down in the tank, and all came clean.

[BenelliSEI]

Finished up valves, all back in the super clean head!

Waiting for “fin repairs” on the barrels, lots of other stuff to do before top end build.

[denward17]

^Looks nice.....

[BenelliSEI]

^Looks nice.....

Thanks. Turned out OK.

[BenelliSEI]

Fin repairs to damaged (they were cracked and bent) barrel tuned out absolutely perfect. See before and after photos. Guy I went to is a serious craftsman, did a very light hone as well.  I am delighted.

[PeWe]

How did he fix it?
Just bent it straight or weld needed?
It is not visible.

[BenelliSEI]

All the bottom ones were bent and cracked at the base, inside. Took them all off, straightened, welded, built up, ground and shaped. A few, with small dings, he built up with weld, and reshaped. Finally, with several small air tools he built for refinishing old Indian blocks and heads, he finished the surfaces to perfection...... Very impressive, invisible repair.

[PeWe]

A real craftsman!

[MauiK3]

It’s looking really good.
I had a bin with about 50% Simple Green and water, it did a great job on most parts if I gave it some time.