Saving Old Seagulls

WSPCL125N2

What's a yank to do?

Where I found it;

Look for a parts motor with a good cylinder, or check with John Williams linked under spare parts from the main site,or put a wanted ad on this forum, or take a chance on one off E Bay.
They are not cheap, as too many look like that one. If you get one from John you can be confident it will be a good one.
Otherwise, it's a gamble.

I realize that this is not a 1909 Harley, but would repairing a cylinder like this one be silly?
After a rude search, I've concluded the replacement would likely be $90 US just in shipping.

Before contemplating any repair, check the exhaust port for cracks, you should be able to find pics on previous posts, if OK clean the water jacket, after reading all the posts on the subject.

I did find pics.
Good thing too. I wouldn't have found all the water jackets otherwise!

I started picking the rust loose with a small center punch.
I will braze the cylinder back together once all passages are clear.

Having brazed dozens of wrought iron chairs and tables back together (not to mention all the MIG, TIG stick and Oxy Acetylene), I'm confident enough to make the repair.

The cylinder wall is thin in a couple spots.
I'm sure, It'll be fine.
There is no wear on piston, rings or cylinder. Too bad whoever had it last in the Long Island Sound didn't have the decency to rinse it after!

Well, I have just got the spare part you need for your repair

Some dealers would call it a repair patch

Thanks! I'll see what I can do with the one I have.
I have a long way to go on my boat before it'll float anyway.

It's a quest but it can happen! Did you check the exhaust port for cracks?

Stelios_Rjk wrote:It's a quest but it can happen! Did you check the exhaust port for cracks?

I did.
I couldn't find any cracks other then the burst water jacket.
There are casting seams that I examined very closely.
I wound up breaking the "cookie" off the cylinder, digging out all the rust, wire wheeling the cracks and brazing it all back together.
I rose budded the whole block evenly and melted a big blob of brass over everything.
I extracted the broken head bolts and chased the threads.
I "milled" the cylinder with a flat file. I'll clean it up and fill the pits with JB Weld and it will be done.

I'll cut a paper base gasket and re use the copper head gasket with shellac.
It'll run!

It's half job without pictures! Let us see what you did, it sound most interesting!

I am not sure about shelac, would it withstand the pressure?

Never mind the pressure, what about the alcohol in the fuel isn't shellac soluble in that?

It is highly soluble! I used shellac in some occasions (not impressed by this stuff) and the direction for use says that can be cleaned with alcohol.

Stelios_Rjk wrote:It's half job without pictures! Let us see what you did, it sound most interesting!

I am not sure about shelac, would it withstand the pressure?

I was afraid you were going to ask that!
I'll post a pic later today.
I'd rather just post a video of it running to distract you from the cludged repair.
I'm actually happy with it, despite the "cold braze".

My "shellac" is actually Indian Head head gasket sealant.
It's definitely not alcohol soluble. I tried to thin it once and the alcohol just floated to the top.

See! You can barely tell!
Place your bets!