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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Atco 14: Tips for removing exhaust stud

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Well, having got the Atco 14 going yesterday and feeling pleased with myself, today I fell into the trap of tinkering. I decided to clean up the exhaust silencer, as it's well rusted. Moderate pressure to remove the nut sheared the bolt on the exhaust stud. I can get a replacement stud, but I'm having no luck removing the rusted one. I've tried some Plus Gas, tried some gentle heat. Any advise? 

Many thanks,

Darren  

Forums

Darren - FAC Tue, 18/06/2019

Thanks Wristpin. I was wondering if I might have to resort to something like that. Ideally, I'd like to remove it, so I'll try a little longer. I've made up some Weasel's Pee to see if that'll help. 

But, before I continue, I just want to clarify one thing. It is the fatter part of the stub that unscrews, where it enters the block, rather than the thinner part, isn't it? Just want to make sure that I'm trying to unscrew something that should unscrew!

I'm going at it with mole grips, as I cannot think of anything else to get on it, but they slip.  

 

wristpin Wed, 19/06/2019

Yes, the complete stub unscrews (or doesn’t!) from the block.  Removing the carb and using  a Stillson type self tightening pipe wrench may have more success than Mole or Vice grips. The stub has a tapered British Standard Pipe thread - hence its reluctance to move. 

In the worst cases , cut the stub off a little proud of the block and make a hacksaw cut longitudinally into it to the depth of the threads and then use a punch on the bit that you have left protruding to collapse it on itself . That usually breaks the bond between stub and block and allows it to be extracted.

A lot of faff - hence the suggestion to leave it in situ  and drill and tap.

 

 

Darren - FAC Wed, 19/06/2019

As per your suggestion Wristpin, I delved into my rarely used tools box this morning in search of a self tightening pipe wrench. I was certain that I had one, and after a little while I located it. Must be 50 or 60 years old, a hand me down from my grandfather I think. 

Anyhow, I set to work with it, and in no time at all I'd removed the stud. Just goes to prove the golden rule ... get the right tool for the job. You're a genius Wristpin! Thank you. 

If that hadn't have worked, I was going to drill and tap as suggested. I'd even sent off for a set this morning. It gave me a good excuse to buy something I've wanted for a while. It could have been worse, I'd even started looking at one of those hellishly expensive heat inductor gadgets. I hate being beaten by rust and will go to almost any length to win the battle, but thankfully this time good sense and a poor bank balance saved me.

Now, I'm just waiting on a replacement stub to arrive, which I hope is the correct type. Before refitting the stub, I'd like to clean the thread in the exhaust outlet. Should I just use some petrol on a bit of rag for that? Also, when refitting, is it advisable to use some anti seize copper grease, or is that not a good idea?

Best wishes, 

Darren

 

wristpin Wed, 19/06/2019

Adapt your old stub for thread cleaning. Cut two double thickness hacksaw cuts at right angles to one another across the open end and screw it in and out several times . Cuts just need to be 1/4” deep. It will clear a lot of the gunge from the threads . A smear of anti seize on the threads of the new one won’t go amiss.

Chris G Thu, 20/06/2019

Is this type compatible? Its off the later engines I guess so may be not but a lot easier to remove with the incorporated hex. 

Chris G Fri, 21/06/2019

I think they are OE Wrispin, the four 114 motors I have dealt with had this type.

Darren you can have it for postage if you want to give it a shot

wristpin Fri, 21/06/2019

A bit modern for me! Don’t think the 75 and 98 iron motors ever had the hex bit perhaps SIF decided that it would make life easier on the later lumps.

Darren - FAC Sat, 22/06/2019

Hi Chris, 

I didn't have the hex on the one that came off, so it's not quite the same, but nonetheless it's close and if you don't mind me having it, I'd be more than happy to send you the postage. Thanks Chris. 

Best wishes, Darren

 

Chris G Sat, 06/07/2019

Hi Darren, sorry I have been away.

PM me your address and I will pop it in the post if you still want it.

Cheers

Chris