So today I got the itch.... to tear down this 74 550 that I acquired recently, so that I can decide if I am going to re-use the frame for my project or get a new one.. 3900ish original miles. Original Utah title (slip of paper basically) that the DMV insisted was fake until I asked for a second supervisor.
Previous owner saw JUNK.. I see.. POTENTIAL!

An hour later... you can NEVER have enough PB Blaster. Never!

These seem way clean for having sat for so long.. will have to rebuild them anyhow.

Good lord.

Ick...

This is what a huge nest of black widows and egg sacs looks like after I screamed like a little girl and dumped half a can of carb cleaner onto them.. the webbing in there was so strong/thick I had to pull it out with pliers.

Looks like original rubber..

Coming along....

SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!

EXCEPT...
The rear upper motor mount would NOT budge on the left side. Wouldn't turn, soaked it in PB blaster, used a torch, used a little hammer, used a big hammer, used a Big F-in Mallet, It stripped out one craftsman socket and CRACKED the other(yes they were the correct size). So I ground the head off. NO BEANS. Had to drill that F-er out to get the motor free. It's almost like the spacer is GLUED to the motor I can NOT get it to move. EVERY parts fiche I have looked at shows that this part comes off and the rod should come out too.

Absolutely DOUSED it in PB-blaster and will go at it again in a couple days. GRRRR.