wanstronian
New Member
Hi all,
I have an old outboard motor. Under the cover it's clean and tidy, starts first pull and runs beautifully.
However, the outside has been less studiously looked after. I spent a "happy" couple of hours the other week loosening the transom clamp bolts, for example.
The main transom pivot is seriously gunked up with (I assume) a mixture of salt and grease). Worse, the ratchet mechanism that should clack-clack-clack into place as I hoist the motor is seized almost solid.
What's the best approach for unseizing it? I was planning to soak it in WD40 and just work it backwards and forwards until the grease dissolved out, then re-grease. I was also toying with the idea of applying some heat from a heat gun which might melt the grease, but this could easily strip the paint and might even deform the ally.
Some advice would surely be appreciated!
W.
I have an old outboard motor. Under the cover it's clean and tidy, starts first pull and runs beautifully.
However, the outside has been less studiously looked after. I spent a "happy" couple of hours the other week loosening the transom clamp bolts, for example.
The main transom pivot is seriously gunked up with (I assume) a mixture of salt and grease). Worse, the ratchet mechanism that should clack-clack-clack into place as I hoist the motor is seized almost solid.
What's the best approach for unseizing it? I was planning to soak it in WD40 and just work it backwards and forwards until the grease dissolved out, then re-grease. I was also toying with the idea of applying some heat from a heat gun which might melt the grease, but this could easily strip the paint and might even deform the ally.
Some advice would surely be appreciated!
W.
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