Hey guys. Well i'm officially done with college for the summer next Wednesday. I am looking forward to working on my T so I wanted to ask some basic questions. I have little money, but am trying to get my engine running/my T running by the end of summer.
1) The tranny looks quite good (got the hogs head off before I went back to school) needs new bands of course.
2) There is grime on the top of the cylinders but the rest of it looks clean in the cylinders. My grandfather gave me something he calls "crocus cloth" to clean the grime. What is it, how does it work, and should I use it?
3) The valves look rough, but I want to try using them still. Even if they aren't fully tapered any more will the engine run ok if I clean them up?
I have to roll the engine over so I can get the crank case off. I need to clean the WHOLE engine because it has dirt/grime/assorted mouse and squirrel s**t in it. Even if the spacing is a little on the wide side for the pistons (they're getting new ...oh what is it, the rubber pieces that seal the piston?...anyway, so I might just get new oversized pistons, where can I get some, and for how much?). I'm hoping the tapering part that holds the arms of the pistons on the shaft will be ok
If they are the two piece type, I'd buy new ones and have a machine shop seat them for you. If they are one piece valves, you can probably lap them in with lapping compound and one of those suction cups on stick.
The pistons have cast iron rings that seal to the bores. They are not rubber LOL!
I recommend you check bore size (dial bore guage or inside micrometer if you are capable of using one) and then measure piston outside diameter (dial caliper or micrometer), several places on each.
I think if you see a total clearance that is more than say .007" (opinions vary!) then you need to have the engine bored and buy new pistons. A scored, ridged, or out of round bore would also mean new pistons.
I would get a hold of some T members close to you, there is plenty out there, have them take a look at what your getting into, most love to see a T out of hiding for years. Get some advise from a couple and if the advise from both is the same then go with that. There are very cheap ways to get a T running and would be fine for short runs and parades but if you plan on running the wheels off of it then you will have to spend a little more money.