SA-200 Engine Frozen

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I bought this from a city auction. I got it home and thought that the starter was bad.  Once I cleaned it out and tested. I discovered that the engine would not turn.  I figured I would take a look. What a surprise I found.  I cleaned up the sleeves and the top of the valves. The pistons are setting in liquid wrench. I am playing the waiting game to free up the engine.  After a day of soaking, I decided to remove the oil pan and take a look up at the pistons from the bottom.Looking at the piston shot I was trying to figure out how to speed up the process. I shot some more Liquid Wrench from the bottom and then decided to use a jack to put pressure on a piston hoping to drive the piston up. Has anyone been down this road before? I am looking for some insights on how I can free up this engine. Attached Images
Reply:You're doing the right thing by letting it soak. I use either marvel mystery oil or PB blaster but that's going to make much difference.  As bad as that looks you might not get them out in 1 piece.
Reply:Kano Aero Kroil
Reply:I have seen worse engines come free and run pretty good. Although it probably will use oil.I have had some luck getting engines like that unsiezed by using compressed air.Make yourself up an adapter using an old sparkplug and a a quick disconnect so you can pressurize the cylinders.See if you can get those valves closed by taking off the side cover and loosening up the tappet adjustment screws.Put the head back on and alternately pressurize the cylinders.The air pressure pushes the oil down around the pistons and it also puts force on them to free them up.Just be ready with safety glasses, oil dry and rags.Things can get a bit messy when it breaks loose.Most times that frees them up, but if it dosen't there is always the grease gun method.That is basically the same but instead of air you use a grease gun for pressure. it is easier if you fill the cylinders with grease while the head is off to avoid having to pump lots of grease in with the grease gun.Last edited by joethemechanic; 04-14-2008 at 05:39 AM.Joewww.CummingsHauling.com
Reply:Welcome Techie4971Any kind of heat helps, such as hot water from a power washer, especially in the water jacket, or warming up the piston from the skirt end.Strike the top of the pistons, using a good fitting hardwood block.If you can pull a stuck cylinder's rod cap, and roll out the bearing shells, -then you're not trying to turn the crank and the rest of the engine-  your efforts are more concentrated on the stuck pistons.Careful with extreme efforts; the piston head can punch through or break off at the ring land.Thanks for the pics, keep us posted!
Reply:That compressed air method is a good trick, I have sucessfully used it quite a few times myself.The Welder Shop has great deals and reviews on Hobart, Miller and Lincoln Welders.
Reply:Originally Posted by nosleepnoThat compressed air method is a good trick, I have sucessfully used it quite a few times myself.
Reply:A buddy of mine works on these engines all the time and has freed up many. His method is to put a small rag in the cylinder and fill to 1 inch from the top with diesel fuel and light it. As the fuel burns down top it up.do this for about a 6 pack and give the engine a spin. Only tried it once but worked like a charm.
Reply:Actually this last system works the best on freeng all the cylinders, you want to spray oil on  front and back seals first though if the oil pan isnt there. Cylinders heat up & gook is removed from the rings. Nothing is destroyed and works suprizingly well.Now its 1" from the top of the piston. not 1" from the top of the block...
Reply:I finally got it loose. Thanks for the help. I decided to let it soak for a long time, then did the burn on all four cylinders. Number 4 is still the most stubborn. At least I can pull the piston out to do the overhaul on the whole thing. Thanks guys. I will be posting some of the overhaul and rebuild pictures in the future.Thanks again,
Reply:Appreciate the update techie.
Reply:I too appreciate the follow-up. I would have thought that was a 'throw away'.Pic one looks pretty gruesome, how are the valve seats?Last edited by Craig in Denver; 06-11-2008 at 11:02 PM.9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:old rusted engines can be an adventure, had three in 10 yrs
Reply:The valve seats are in good shape. I was worried about pits and bad valves. I do have one valve that sticks. It pops back down with a little pressure. It is gunked up pretty bad from sitting open.  I will clean up the valves when I do the overhaul.
Reply:hoppes#9 gun cleaning solvent works very well for gunked up valves, I use it at work for valves and diesel fuel injectors , great for guns and goodd for some engine parts
Reply:I thought you guys would like an update.  I am just about done. Here you can see that I had some extra features that most people don't have on a SA-200 like the carbless engine and the wildlife preserve.Overall it truned out nice after the overhaul and paint. Attached Images
Reply:More Pictures. Attached Images
Reply:All painted up. Attached Images
Reply:Hi,  Really nice work,Always great to see something given a new lease of life.You have certainly put some hours into that one, Think you should name it Lazerus.     Best regards  Gordon.
Reply:I finally had the time to put this back on the trailer and get some finished pictures. Runs like a top. Attached ImagesMy Gear is:Two Miller Thunderbolt 225Millermatic 211Miller Spectrum 875 PlasmaMiller Spot WelderLincoln SA-200
Reply:Here are the last two pictures. Attached ImagesMy Gear is:Two Miller Thunderbolt 225Millermatic 211Miller Spectrum 875 PlasmaMiller Spot WelderLincoln SA-200
Reply:Wow Techie,That is beautiful workmanship! Do we get to see the test run?Thanks for the update.Good Luck
Reply:Great job, from where you started to where you ended up is amazing! I love to watch projects like this come together. Good luck with the welder. Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.                                         -Cree Indian ProverbSA 200 LincolnVictor Torches
Reply:THAT IS SO FREAKING SWEEEEEET!!!!Nice job keeping a Lincoln Alive!I wish I could find something like that!Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:Absolutely amazing!....To get to this point from where you started is most impressive..Great job!...That machine looks fantastic.....Wow, nice job for sure........How old was it?......sorry if that info was posted.Welding HacLincoln Electric 3200HD
Reply:Great restoration! It looks like it just came out of the factory and ready for 40 more years of workMy vintage equipment 1957 Lincoln sa 2001980's Lincoln 225 AC1952 F-2 ford truck1957 F-250 ford truck
Reply:Nice, nicest, probably the slickest I've seen.  I would have assumed the engine was a writeoff.  Would you be willing to post a timeline and budget on your build?I believe yours to actually be THE WORST CASE SCENARIO.  I, and I believe others would be interested in seeing what steps and costs would be involved in performing such a resurrection.  Most of us would be seeing a much less demanding overhaul, so, knowing "the worst case scenario" would be very handy. Probably accessed by every future overhauler for some time and useful in valuing it for your insurance guy. Please???I also loved your pics. Got more?again, nice, nice job. B.Rey, TopekaP.s. what engine paints did you use?Last edited by yz1; 05-05-2009 at 06:48 PM.