Andy Lowe Posted September 22, 2023 Report Share Posted September 22, 2023 Hi TR4 Experts. I have my 1962 TR4 on Axle stands, jack also in place for additional safety. I Have drained the oil from the sump, removed bolts x19 off and checked and double checked that there are no more hidden fasteners attached to the sump. I have soaked the gasket (cork) as far as possible with white spirit, I have been carefully removing as much gasket as possible with a Stanley knife along the accessible parts of the sides. I have carefully tried to insert a blunt screwdriver and lever the sump away from the block. I am now having a rather good glass of Cava and preparing for another attack tomorrow morning. Right now I need advice from the experts who have done this before. Just for info, I am an aircraft engineer with 25 years experience and have worked on many old cars in the past, mainly Fords but I am a little stumped by this conundrum. I didn't expect the sump to just fall off as the last bolt was undone but I also didn't expect it to put up such a fight! My thoughts are, have I misread the whole thing and I need to undo something else, especially as there seems to be no give at all in the sump, nothing, seems to be welded on. or I have been at an office desk too long and lost my mojo, or there is a trick that you Triumph guys know about that will help me out? Very much looking forward to your replies..... Regards... Andy Lowe (Triumph new boy) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted September 22, 2023 Report Share Posted September 22, 2023 Hi Andy, somebody has used a sealer that has gone hard. Use the screw driver in more places around it and give some leverage. You may well cause some damage.This should be repairable when it is off. Tomorrow for breakfast THREE Shredded wheat Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted September 22, 2023 Report Share Posted September 22, 2023 Think Vickers Viscount engine exhaust heat exchanger. Remove all attachment screws then be prepared to prise it off an area at a time. Be prepared to repair any damage done plus the holes that have belled up to the block. Not so challenging to refit though as the bolt holes tend to line up. Just insert a few studs to align it Hold up with a jack and finger fit all the bolts. Be aware the front ones are short as the go into an aluminium block and the lh side rear have a vent pipe and clutch stay rod do need longer screws. As Roger says the previous owner has used a sealant that has worked and secured the sump to gasket to block. Lots of scraping to do to remove the old gasket when you do get it off. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trchris Posted September 22, 2023 Report Share Posted September 22, 2023 Hi Andy as Roger says gently tap a wedge between sump and block the wider the blade the better l use a heavy duty scraper in opposite corners good luck and I’d have three weetabix instead Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Lowe Posted September 22, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2023 Thanks Roger, sound advice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Lowe Posted September 22, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2023 Thanks everyone, I was a Tornado, Harriet & Typhoon man, Vickers Viscount just before my time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted September 22, 2023 Report Share Posted September 22, 2023 8 minutes ago, Andy Lowe said: Thanks everyone, I was a Tornado, Harriet & Typhoon man, Vickers Viscount just before my time. Ah yes, the good old Hawker Harriet. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Lowe Posted September 22, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2023 54 minutes ago, RogerH said: Ah yes, the good old Hawker Harriet. Roger DOH! I hate automatic text. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted September 22, 2023 Report Share Posted September 22, 2023 No Problem Andy, It should have been a Kestrel Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Lowe Posted September 23, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2023 Hi All that gave advice. All great top tips thankyou, especially the extra shredded wheat. I don't have words for the satisfaction the sound of that sump breaking away from the engine gave. One of my own additions was a little squirt of brake cleaner also seemed to help. Regards to all. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted September 23, 2023 Report Share Posted September 23, 2023 Hi Andy, when you have cleaned the sump go around the flange and make sure it is flat - especially where the bolt holes are. These can become cone shaped with all the bashing and banging. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Lowe Posted September 23, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2023 46 minutes ago, RogerH said: Hi Andy, when you have cleaned the sump go around the flange and make sure it is flat - especially where the bolt holes are. These can become cone shaped with all the bashing and banging. Roger Thanks Roger...will do. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Malbaby Posted September 24, 2023 Report Share Posted September 24, 2023 On 9/23/2023 at 8:33 PM, Andy Lowe said: Hi All that gave advice. All great top tips thankyou, especially the extra shredded wheat. I don't have words for the satisfaction the sound of that sump breaking away from the engine gave. One of my own additions was a little squirt of brake cleaner also seemed to help. Regards to all. Only an Aircraft Engineer would have a workshop that tidy...I am jealous. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
monty Posted September 26, 2023 Report Share Posted September 26, 2023 Yes rather an immaculate area! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John L Posted September 26, 2023 Report Share Posted September 26, 2023 Would have been nice to know what the PO used as I expect it was oil tight too? John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MichaelH Posted September 27, 2023 Report Share Posted September 27, 2023 A Triumph engine oil tight! I doubt it somehow Michael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Colin Symonds Posted September 27, 2023 Report Share Posted September 27, 2023 10 minutes ago, MichaelH said: A Triumph engine oil tight! I doubt it somehow Michael Oh they do exist, since my TRGB engine rebuild you can park my TR4a on a white carpet without worrying, well the tyres might make a bit of a mess. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MichaelH Posted September 28, 2023 Report Share Posted September 28, 2023 It is the exception which proves the rule ! That said I do try to achieve oil tightness with my car Michael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iain Posted September 30, 2023 Report Share Posted September 30, 2023 On 9/27/2023 at 9:14 AM, MichaelH said: A Triumph engine oil tight! I doubt it somehow Michael It is possible, with great attention to detail. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted September 30, 2023 Report Share Posted September 30, 2023 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Lowe Posted October 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2023 Hi all interested parties, I can report that following all your advice, the sump showed no evidence of leaks after its first major test run following its removal and re-fit. I conclude that Wellseal is certainly a strong product but a little difficult to use first time. Wasn't expecting it to be so runny, found that an artists spatula was the best method of applying. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drewmotty Posted October 8, 2023 Report Share Posted October 8, 2023 I always brush it with a small artists brush. A very light coat is all that is required for an effective seal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted October 8, 2023 Report Share Posted October 8, 2023 1 hour ago, Andy Lowe said: Hi all interested parties, I can report that following all your advice, the sump showed no evidence of leaks after its first major test run following its removal and re-fit. I conclude that Wellseal is certainly a strong product but a little difficult to use first time. Wasn't expecting it to be so runny, found that an artists spatula was the best method of applying. Retighten the sump bolts in a week as things do loosen Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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