Saving Old Seagulls

OK have had another try without success. The water pump impellor is in good condition so I think I will just reassemble and accept the drive shaft is welded to the pinion and could only be separated by driving out the bearing first. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Hi Charles
Definately hitting top of pinion as I removed muck with a hollow tube screwed into the muck. I could just put it back together but this would mean admitting defeat!!

Have had another crack at it without success. Using a 6mm steel rod and a lump hammer and hitting it hard enough to bend the rod. I have put some more penetrating oil down it while I consider what to do next. How hard is it to pull the pinion shaft bush out and is it likely to break the pinion?

I have been looking at the cutaway pics on the site. I did not realise that the pinion shaft is inside the drive shaft so I presume just a square stub. How far does it go up into the drive shaft? I think I have about 3 inches of sludge in there. Also when you say you have had to grind the drive ...

OK have had further attack and sucessfully split the housing, unfortunately with some damage to gasket but hopefully nothing that silicon will not cure. Next problem is how to remove drive shaft from lower unit. Is it just a press fit or is there any other fixing system? I have a nasty feeling it is ...

Have tried using a punch on the shaft of the screw but am afraid I am just expanding the shaft of the screw and jamming it further. Have filled the recess with penetrating oil while I prepare for the next attack.

So have finally gone the drill route and got the head of the screw off OK. Ta for the advice re dremal. However the castings are still locked together so I guess I am going to have to cut through the gasket somehow to get a bit more leverage. Any other ideas?

I am still working on it without success. Have been using a brace and bit so lots of pressure. Have nasty feeling I am going to have to try and drill the head off!

Do I take it the waterpump impellor is plastic? If so am I likely to damage it using a blowtorch to try and get the centre screw out?

Thanks for all the help. Have seperated the gearbox from head complete with square drive shaft. Managed to get one of the screws out but not the centre one. Have tried heat but so far will not move. I guess I will just try more penetrating oil. Would stuff it all back together except the lower half ...

OK have cleaned out petrol tank with caustic soda. It took about 8 washes! Have got gearbox cover off and am cleaning it out at the moment.

I am having trouble seperating the gearbox casing so would like to take the whole gearbox off. Despite searching the forums I am unable to decide if I can ...

Thanks for all the tips. I have been experimenting with various stuff to clean interior of fuel tank tar. Petrol no effect, acetone turns green but little effect on lump of tar, hydrocloric acid turns lump brown but remains as lump, cellulose thinners turns green but little effect and finally ...

Success!! Had previously tried with large socket spanner but have just tried with 23mm ring and bingo it worked. Many thanks.

Hi all. I am trying to renovate a friends FP that has not been used for 20 years or so. Problems so far:-

1. Removing screws to drop gearbox, is it OK to use heat as well as penetrating oil?

2. Removing dome nut. How to lock flywheel while tapping spanner? Would heat help?

3. Compression check ...