MTFCA Forum

I have a pot-metal Winfield Model M, in Barn-Find condition - which means the barrel is stuck and all the steel parts are rusty. The castings themselves are apparently in good shape but they happen to be made out of Unobtanium and Easibreakium. Has anyone out there successfully rebuilt a Winfield in this condition? What can I do to get it apart without wrecking it?

I owned on years ago. I believe they were made from better metal than the later models. They are also more period correct for a T My advice would be to take your time, a good penetrant and lots of heat/cool cycles. Looks like a good one!

Here's another one I have but it doesn't look as promising as the first one.
Someone drilled holes in it and tied both pieces together with a piece of bailing wire.

Here’s what’s in the catalog;
The model M castings are definitely prone to delicacy. Maybe material, maybe inherent design flaws... but lots of distorted throttle barrel housings and broken fuel bowl covers out there. Might try soaking the whole thing in penetrating oil for a while, couldn’t hurt...

Maybe just my example but I had a small corner broke off by the air bell. I was able to heliarc it and when cleaned up, it was invisible. Can’t do that with potmetal. At least I couldn’t

Dropacent wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 20, 2022 4:07 pm

Maybe just my example but I had a small corner broke off by the air bell. I was able to heliarc it and when cleaned up, it was invisible. Can’t do that with potmetal. At least I couldn’t

The catalog shows “old” and “new” style model M. I’ve only ever seen what I am confident was potmetal model M’s... but is it possible that the “old” style could have been aluminum like the predecessor model V and H carbs...? I’m intrigued that you were able to weld yours

I only had the one experience, Kevin. Must have been lucky. I do remember reading somewhere the early examples were aluminum. Many manufacturers fell Into that die cast “potmetal” trap about then. I think with any artifact, if the metal has minute fine cracking, distortion or swelling, be very careful or perhaps wait for a better example.

I have had good luck using Evapo Rust with delicate rusty steel parts.
Although I have not specifically put one of my Winfield M carbs in an Evapo Rust bath
I have put similar materials in with good results.
I would do a test on an edge or similar carb before leaving it in over night.
Harry Lillo

Not sure the potmetal will be happy in the Evaporust. I would just soak the carb in some diesel fuel or light oil- acetone and ATF would probably work just fine. After soaking just tap lightly on the throttle arm and see if the barrel will move. Take the three screws out of the barrel side cover, remove the cover and tap the barrel a little to see if it moves.

Thanks to all who replied. I'll go ahead and let it soak in an Acetone / ATF cocktail for maybe a couple of weeks. I've got plenty of other projects in the meantime.