A plea for help here! I'm having trouble opening the crankcase on my Villiers F15 engine. It seems that the cover is still attached to the crankshaft and I'm unsure as to how to free it. I have removed the circlip. being the mug that I am though, I thought well a couple of taps with a hammer couldn't hurt, and broke the conrod! Mistake number 1!
Any ideas gratefully received,
abelw44.
( I can post pictures too, please ask if you need to see the engine)
#2
abelw44
Hi all,
Here are some pictures in case that helps anyone!
I realize as well that the engine has some kind of attachment to the end of the crankshaft to make it thicker. I'm not exactly sure what this is for or how to remove it but I know the engine was previously used by a dairy firm so presumably it was attached to some machinery that required a larger diameter drive shaft.
Abel, Last time I saw that brand stateside was over 50 years ago. A 2 stroke bicycle. Doubt if forum members have seen this. How old?
#4
abelw44
Hi Motoman,
I'm afraid I really don't know how old it is. My guess would be about 40 years but I don't know. It is 4-stroke..... but I don't know much more than that.
Your pics came in on top of my last post. Well the 1st pic showed the dark iron ring in a way that it looked like shrunk on, as in some bearing retainer, but the next pics look like that dark ring is loose in a recess, but still cannot be removed to access the circlip retaining ring. If the ring serves no purpose on this set up I would cut it off so the circlip could be removed. Do you have a manual of any kind? Is the ring loose, but still retained?
Edit: Due respect, but that is an antique. What prospect to find a rod?
#6
abelw44
Hi Motoman,
Yes the ring is off, but I cannot remove it because of the diameter-extension thing on the crankshaft. I don't have a manual unfortunately, as I bought it second hand.
I have already found a website that stocks the conrod for this engine, Villiers F15 Conrod | Vintage Engine Parts
abelw44, I typed this once but again the sw on this site is erratic... first I see a mark on the big shaft that could be where the loose ring was seated. Did it get knocked inward? It is not clear to me what is prohibiting removal of the case as it appears the ring is smaller than the opening?? So if the ring is not the culprit, is it the circlip shown behind the ring? Next, if the loose ring is removed can the circlip be opened enough to pass over the big shaft? It seems someone shrunk on the "sleeve." If you must remove the sleeve in place the task is more difficult. Ideally, it would be pressed off , perhaps with heat.
The ring looks "soft." If you can scratch it with a file, it can be cut with a hacksaw. Usually these are struck with a cold chisel in place , but this one has been unseated so that is not possible. IF the ring must be removed I would try to jam it up with a plastic or hardwood wedge so there is space above the big shaft and try cutting it. If not work try vise grip pliers so the ring can be held one hand while the other cuts. Only one cut should be necessary. Then bend open the ring. (Try not to bugger up the shaft).
Removing the sleeve in place "might" be possible. Heat alone is risky. Do not hammer. See if a gear or pulley puller can be found where the teeth can register on the rear of the sleeve. You might have to mod it. If so try MODERATE torque and stop if no move. With puller in tension on the sleeve gradually heat the sleeve and watch for movement. You may not have a way to measure heat, but do not go over 350F if possible.
#8
abelw44
Hi Motoman,
Wow! you wrote an essay! Thanks for all your ideas, I'll go out today and give them a try. One thing I would say though us that what you described as "the dark iron ring" is actually a rubber oil seal to prevwnt oil escaping the crankcase.
did the small threaded hole on the shaft have an allen screw? could a slide hammer help?or a bearing separator tool?
#10
abelw44
Hi Tybilly,
No, unfortunately, the threaded hole had nothing in it when I bought the engine, nor anything with the engine to put in the threaded hole!
I tried putting a bolt into the threaded hole to remove the sleeve, but it is much to well stuck on to be removed by that means! Unfortunately, I don't have a slide hammer.
